This blog continues the study on the use of Homeopathy in first aid; this time I consider Homeopathy for teeth pain.
As before I do recommend purchasing a first aid kit of basic homeopathic remedies. See my earlier blog Family Care with Homeopathy Without a kit to hand, you cannot do much on a weekend, other than take paracetamol.
This is a subject I have written about before. Having held onto a wisdom tooth with determination, I must now report that it finally met its demise last week.
Not ideal entertainment, but the experience usefully demonstrated the limitations and value of Homeopathy.
Homeopathy can help with toothache, but likely you will still need to consult your dental surgeon (to whom I was grateful for an emergency appointment), to find out the underlying cause.
Homeopathy cannot sort a failed tooth. But, it can help with pain and infection.
Toothache in my lower wisdom tooth responded well to homeopathic Silica some months ago. Back then the nerves jangled (and some) when touched by hot or cold fluids. It was still a viable if vulnerable tooth. Vulnerable because of a deep filling and some looseness.
Well it did well for some months, but last week pain returned. This time without any reaction to hot or cold.
This lack of reaction is a sure sign that the tooth is dead. Root canal treatment is one option, but – I learn – this process is less successful in wisdom molars. Especially an aged and vulnerable one. The pragmatic reality – alas – was extraction.
What follows is a short list of homeopathic medicines, commonly found in first aid kits, that can help with tooth infection and threatening abscess formation. In each case place one pilule in a tumbler or bottle of tepid water. Stir or shake and sip every 10 minutes. If there is no improvement in an hour, try the next on the list.
Infections with offensive breath, salivation and a dirty tongue. Worse at night and for both heat and cold.
Severely painful infections with potential abscess. Worse for cold drinks, eating, touching the tooth. Better for warm applications
Similar to Hepar.Sulp and try if there is no response to the Hepar.sulph.
If there is neuralgia – due to caries or micro-fractures – without a threatened infection or abscess, consider Belladonna (sudden onset; throbbing pain) or Coffea (excruciating pain with over excitement of the nervous system).
The most important remedy during teething, when the child is inconsolable, and very irritable (you give the toddler a toy and it is hurled away), is Chamomilla (German Chamomile). Again one pilule in a little water – stir, and give a teaspoon to the toddler every 10 minutes, until he/she calms down.
Extractions in particular are traumatic. The best remedy for shock is Aconite, so 2-4 doses at 10 minute intervals will reestablish equilibrium.
Thereafter the most beneficial medicine is Arnica, again one pilule in a tumbler or water bottle of tepid water, stir/shake and sip every 10-15 minutes for a couple of hours. Arnica promotes the healing of deep painful bruising.
Finally, once Arnica has done its work, put a pilule of Calendula in a tumbler of water or water bottle and take a sip 3-4 times a day for a couple of days. This remedy (origin the marigold flower) aids healing.
You dentist will ask you to rinse your mouth with salt water on a similar frequency. Do this also but 15 minutes apart from taking any homeopathic remedy.
I can vouch for both of these after my tooth was pulled last week!
Disclaimer: I am a qualified professional homeopath and not a medical doctor. The NHS has many resources, and seeking the opinion of your GP is always of value.
Dibden Purlieu, Southampton