Speakers - 2027

Title: Homoeopathy in dentistry

Abstract

Many people are now turning to Homoeopathy spurred on by the ill effects of conventional drugs and the desire to find a system that does not suppress the body’s natural balance. Peter Varley, past Chairman of the British Homoeopathic Dental Association discusses the development of Homoeopathy in Dentistry and some of its uses within the dental practice. Modern dentistry is an exciting and rapidly changing science. Minimum intervention is the catchphrase of the moment as is applying a natural approach to general dental practice. These new discoveries in dental science enable us to develop our daily work in this direction. The use of homoeopathy in dentistry is more limited than in medicine. Homoeopathy cannot replace the mechanical arts of dentistry and there is not a homoeopathic remedy that will selectively numb a tooth. However homoeopathy is a useful adjunct to conventional dentistry. It may be used effectively in the place of drugs prescribed which sometimes have unpleasant side effects. There are also homoeopathic medicines for the everyday problems we have in our mouths such as ulcers and teething in children. Homoeopathy can be used for  dental emergencies or for even more general use in maintaining healthy teeth and gums.

Constitutional or Specific

Homoeopathic prescribing can be divided into constitutional or specific. Constitutional although used often in medical practice is not so common in dentistry. It relies on one remedy to match the patient’s general constitution and in dentistry is reserved for intractable conditions such as chronic periodontal disease where conventional dentistry has failed and the patients are losing their teeth through gum recession and the loss of supporting bone. Another condition common in dentistry that is helped by constitutional prescribing is chronic TMJ Dysfunction. This syndrome results in muscle and joint spasm around the jaw that can lead to long term chronic pain and migraine headaches. Experience has shown some homoeopathic remedies to be useful in certain dental problems where they can be prescribed specifically according to the symptoms presented by the patient. Some conditions commonly treated by the homoeopathic dentist are described below.

Dental Abscess
For an acute tooth abscess that is red swollen and throbbing, Belladonna is used. Hepar Sulph is prescribed for a chronic abscess and Silicea is recommended when the abscess starts to drain.

Fever
In patients with high fever Aconite, Belladonna or Bryonia may be indicated. A passive fever of 102oF or less suggests Ferrum Phos.

Bleeding
In a case of dental haemorrhage Phosphorus is the primary remedy. However Lachesis (snake venom) is also used for dark slow persistent bleeding.

There’s No Need To Be Nervous
A certain amount of excess apprehension is sometimes present in patients facing dental procedures. Here several remedies can be of service. Among them is Aconite where a state of fear and anxiety is present. There is mental and physical restlessness but fright is the most predominating feature. Gelsemium is used when you feel weak in the knees, fearful and lack energy. Both Aconite and Gelsemium can be used the night before and on the day of the surgery for their relaxing effect. Other possible remedies are Arsenicum, Arg Nit, Bryonia,and Nux Vomica.

Dental Trauma
Before and after a tooth is extracted Arnica is suggested to try and reduce shock and bleeding. Even the most gentle treatment at the dentist may produce a slight amount of disturbance to the tissues of the mouth and leave it sore. To reduce this discomfort Arnica can be taken. Hypericum is useful should nerves be injured.

Mouth ulcers can be helped by Propolis tincture as a mouth wash. This relieves symptoms while healing occurs. Healing is reduced from the average of 7 to 10 days to a manageable 2 to 3 days.

Tartar build up can be reduced by Fragaria twice daily for some months. Calcerea Renalis twice daily could also be considered. These remedies may also induce the loss of existing calculus.

Painful injection sites can be relieved with Ledum especially where the site has not bled significantly. If there is stiffness of the jaw after a local anaesthetic then consider Ledum 30 three or four times a day especially if the area feels cold.

Oral Thrush can be  treated with Borax 30-200 two or three times a day. Kali Muriaticum or Candida Albicans nosode can also be used. For infantile thrush Tea Tree is useful. The mouth is briefly but thoroughly swabbed using a cotton wool bud. One or two treatments should suffice.

Teething is helped with Chamomilla especially where the child is fractious and restless, wishing to be carried or petted. Chamomilla 30 every hour or as necessary.

Calendula cream can be used for every patient as a lip cream. In most dental treatments the lips are pulled and stretched. Calendula cream on the lips combined with a Propolis mouth wash will leave the mouth comfortable and fresh.

Note that none of the above homoeopathic remedies should be taken for longer than a few days, especially in acute conditions without consulting a doctor or dentist. If there is any reaction to the remedy it should be discontinued until advice has been sought.

Toothpastes and Mouthwashes

Weleda, a producer of natural medicines and cosmetics has a range of toothpastes and a mouthwash that combine natural and homoeopathic ingredients. In all the toothpastes there are no sweeteners, synthetic deodorants, bleaches or brighteners, artificial colours or fragrances. They also do not contain detergents that can affect the physiological flora of the mouth. Weleda salt toothpaste uses soluble salts to stimulate salivation, washing the mouth clean. In addition herbal extracts of myrrh and krameria are used for antiseptic and astringent properties, with a blend of essential oils to deodorise the breath and to strengthen the gums. Although chalk is a gentle cleanser, Weleda has responded to demand by providing a toothpaste completely free of powdered abrasives with Plant Gel toothpaste. A seaweed extract with vegetable glycerine produces a jelly like base, completely non aggressive to enamel and suitable for sensitive mouths and milk teeth. Because it contains no abrasives the use of this toothpaste in the morning could be coupled with one of the other toothpastes described below after meals or at night. Calendula toothpaste was developed for homoeopaths who felt that the peppermint used as a breath freshener nullified the effects of homoeopathic medicines. Instead Calendula toothpaste contains essential oils of fennel and cinnamon, with Calendula for antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and healing properties and finely powdered chalk to clean and shine the teeth without damaging the enamel. None of the above toothpastes contain fluoride supplements. Many homoeopathic dentists prefer this due to reports that fluoride can be detrimental to the body in general. Fluoride however has been proven beyond doubt to reduce the incidence of tooth decay. So there is a dilemma here! If caries is high the correct procedure is to reduce the frequency of sugar containing products in the diet. For those patients who will not comply with this dietary advice, a fluoride mouthwash could be recommended as a supplement to the homoeopathic toothpaste. The dentist who practises homoeopathy is usually concerned about the patient as a whole and will use homoeopathy to enhance a state of health rather than to just treat disease. Homoeopathic dentists often apply many other aspects of holistic dentistry to their practice in their concern for the patient’s general health. This may vary from the regular use of non-adrenaline local anaesthetic to dietary analysis to cranial osteopathy for jaw/joint imbalances. Homoeopathy is not a substitute for good dietary practice and oral hygiene habits. Dental treatment can never be completely natural but utilising homoeopathic principles can avoid some of the side effects and also make it more pleasant for the patient.