DENTAL SOLUTIONS USING HOMEOPATHY

Homeopathic remedies are very successful for a number of dental issues. The following is a list of remedies that are easy to find and simple to use.

TOOTHACHE

Worse from heat, Chamomilla and Coffea cruda. The differentiation would be sensitivity to noise and relief from cold points to Coffea cruda. Mercurius Sol works well when both hot and cold make the toothache worse, which is a sign of possible abscess.

If it is determined that tooth pain is not due to infection, decay or abscess try one of the following remedies:

• Belladonna helps throbbing pain that is worse from touch or motion (chewing).

• Magnesia phosphorica helps pain that is worse from cold and better from warmth.

• Coffea cruda helps pain that is worse from heat and relieved by ice.

• Chamamilla is for a toothache that is worse from any warmth, but not better with cold. The pain is intolerable and makes the patient irritable. This remedy can also help patients with a low threshold for pain.

EMOTIONAL REMEDIES

• Aconitum is very effective for patients with extreme anxiety to dental work. It relieves fear and panic.

• Gelsemium is for fear that makes the patient go weak at the knees. They may also have diarrhea before the appointment and seem drowsy or dull.

ABSCESS

• Hepar Sulphuris Calcaria is one of the most frequently used remedies for dental issues. The tooth may have some cold sensitivity and the patient may be chilly. Also when there is pus formation, increased salivation and sore or bleeding gums.  It stops severe tooth pain much of the time.  Potency is important with this remedy. 6c for drainage or pus discharge. If there is swelling and no drainage you can use 30c or even 200c two to three times per day to help abort pus formation, promote shrinking of the abscess and minimize pain. Use more frequently in acute cases.
• Belladonna is another remedy for early root abscesses when there is redness and intense throbbing pain that comes on rapidly. It is aggravated by touch, pressure or movement.

• Mercurius sol (or Vivus) when there is sensitivity to hot or cold as well as chewing. It is a throbbing pain that is typically worse at night.

• Myristica helps with abscesses that are swollen and accompanied by numbness of the area (especially for wisdom teeth).

• Silicea is useful once pus is draining. (6x a few times per day) Works well for the management of chronic root abscesses.

TOOTH TRAUMA (from surgery or otherwise)

• Arnica can help with many dental complaints including injury, sore spots from bridges or plates, pain after the work of deep fillings and even for the apprehension before a dental visit when discomfort is anticipated.

• Bellis perennis is also an excellent remedy for trauma, bruising, etc.

• Hypericum offers assistance when nerves have been injured. When there has been injury to the front teeth Hypericum is often required first, then follow up with Arnica or Bellis. I do suggest caution in the use of Hypericum in certain cases. If the nerves have been recently exposed there may be heightened sensitivity immediately, so better to wait 24-48 hours before dispensing.

• Magnesia phosphorica relieves stiff, sore jaws following injury or a prolonged dental visit when the mouth has been held open and muscles may have gotten cramped.

• Staphysagria helps heal incision wounds after soft tissue surgery.

• Calendula in liquid form is a wonderful tincture to use for disinfecting the mouth. It works well to have patients’ alternate calendula with salt water rinses. Calendula 200c works well as a single dose the night before dental surgery.

Remedies can be taken every 15-30 minutes for discomfort, or as needed. When there is significant improvement the remedy can be taken less often or discontinued. For emotional remedies, taking the night before the visit and again 30 to 60 minutes before the visit.

Keep in mind that a toothache can originate from somewhere other than the teeth or jaw. If remedies do not affect the pain then there may be a sinus or ear infection, or even heart issues.