Can filing your toenail in a strip down the center help prevent ingrown nails?

No: It can not stop ingrown nails. If your nail is very thick it may help relieve shoe pressure.

No: This is an old wise tale and I have never seen it help the toenail.

I have seen this : Recommended in some books, but personaly do not think it is so helpful. There are permenant solutions for ingrown toenails that a podiatrist can do in office in under 10 minutes. So, if you get them chronicallly - go get them taken care of permenantly.