Scope of Homoeopathy in Common Dental Problems

By Dr. R. Valavan, Manager – Scientific Affairs, Schwabe India
Dr. Willmar Schwable India

Dental problems like teething troubles, caries, tooth abscess, sensitive teeth, etc. can be either tackled with homoeopathic medicines or along with appropriate dental procedures. In many cases collateral dental procedure will help in sooner recovery. 

Introduction
Mammals including human, generally have two sets of teeth, which is called diphyodonts. They include 20 milk teeth which are temporary and 32 permanent teeth. Milk teeth are also called as deciduous teeth, baby teeth, reborner teeth, etc. Teeth are very essential to the human to chew the food to reduce the size of the particles. This is the first step in the process digestion. Maintaining dental hygiene is very important for many reasons. An infection in the gums and related tissues may affect the entire digestive system. Homoeopathy has both scope and limitations in dental problems.

Regular patients of homoeopathy usually seek treatment for their dental problems primarily from their homoeopaths. It is the duty of the homoeopath to give them right direction to get the appropriate treatment. There are many such dental cases which could be managed with homoeopathic drugs. In some cases intervention of dental procedures may be required collaterally. But there are cases which need only dental intervention. Role of a homoeopath primarily here is to refer the case to the dental surgeons at the appropriate time so as the case will not get complicated. This article tries to explore the scope and limitation of homoeopathy in common dental problems.

Dental problems amenable to homoeopathic treatment
Dental problems like teething troubles, caries, tooth abscess, sensitive teeth, etc. can be either tackled with homoeopathic medicines or along with appropriate dental procedures. In many cases collateral dental procedure will help in sooner recovery. Depending on the stage of the condition, severity of the symptoms, etc. a case is to be referred to dentists at right time. Delay in getting appropriate dental intervention may extend to complications.

Teething problem in children
This is a very common problem in children. The usual symptoms include irritability, diarrhoea, fever, etc. Efficacy of homoeopathy in teething problem is widely known. Calcarea phosphorica 6x, popularly known as CP 6x, is a house hold remedy in many countries for teething problem. Other drugs include Aconite, Belladonna, Calcarea carbonica, Coffea cruda, Cuprum metallicum, Hecla lava, Kalium bromatum, Chamomilla, Kreosotum, Podophyllum, Silicea, etc. If there are predominantly cerebral and nervous symptoms, Belladonna, Chamomilla, Helleborus and Zincum metallicum can be considered. In case of constipation and general irritation, Kreosotum is the remedy.

Premature caries and decay
These days parents’ concerns have increased about caries even in the nursery age. A study shows that higher economic group and the children living in cities have more of this problem at early age. Reason being the increased intake of sugar in the form of chocolate, cake, sweet, etc. followed by improper washing of mouth. This leads to the erosion of tooth enamel and subsequent decaying. Before giving homoeopathic medicines, these things to be educated to both the parents and children. Drugs useful in these cases are Acidum fluoricum, Calcarea phosphorica, Kreosotum, Mezerium, Plantago major, Staphysagria and others.

Tooth abscess
It is a collection of infected materials usually pus in the centre of the tooth. Bacterial infection is seen in people with weak vital force and in people who do not maintain proper hygienic measures. It reflect in the form of bad breath, fever, swelling, etc. Along with proper hygienic measures, drugs like Baryta carbonica, Hecla lava, Hepar sulphuris, Mercurius solubilise, Pyrogenium and Silicea would be helpful.

Sensitive teeth – sensitive to cold, chewing, touch
Improper cleaning of mouth leads to the formation of a plaque in the outer surface of the tooth. Over a period, an acid present in the plaque dissolves the enamel of the tooth which increases the sensitivity of the teeth. There could be other reasons for enamel erosion. These cases are usually managed with drugs like Chamomilla, Coffea cruda, Hypericum, Lachesis, Magnesium phosphoricum, Mercurius solubilise, etc. 

Fistula dentalis
Fistula dentalis usually forms at the root of the tooth, called as apex of the tooth. It is caused by infection, and subsequent abscess or cyst. Along with homoeopathic drugs, mechanical measures like root canal therapy, draining the abscess and removing the cyst. Drugs like Acidum flouricum,  Calcarea carbonica, Calcarea phosphorica, Cantharis (upper incisors), Cuasticum, Petrolium, Ratanhia, Silicea, Staphysagria and Sulphur are useful.

Odontalgia (toothache)
There are various causes for toothache, like tooth abscess, sinusitis, gingivitis, injury, earache, tooth decay, etc. Toothache includes pain in and around tooth. Depending upon the location, nature of the pain, modalities and other symptoms, any of the drugs like Agaricus, Ambra grisea, Belladonna, Borax, Bryonia, Carbo vegetabilis, Chamomilla, Cinchona, Causticum, Hyoscyamus, Kalium carbonicum, Kreosotum, Magnesium muriaticum, Mercurius solubilis, Mezerium, Natrum carbonicum, Nux moschata, Nux vomica, Phosphorus, Pulsatilla, Ranunculus bulbosus, Rhus tox, Sepia, Silicea, Staphysagria and Zincum metallicum can be chosen.

Gingivitis and Periodontitis
Gingivitis, inflammation of gums, is mainly due to long term effects of plaque deposits. If the plaques are not removed properly, it turns into harder deposit called tartar. Plaque and tartar inflame and irritate gums. Untreated gingivitis may end up with periodontitis i.e. inflammation of the ligaments and bones that support the teeth. Aconitum napellus, Ammonium carbonicum, Belladonna, Calcarea fluorica, Carbo animalis, Hecla lava, Hepar sulphuris, Kreosotum, Mercurius solubilise, Natrum muriaticum, Phosphorus and Silicea are few of the frequently used drugs in these conditions.

Thumb sucking
Though this is not directly covered in the present scope, it may result in the dental problems. Initially thumb sucking is a natural reflex for children. As infants get older it serves many purposes. Sucking on their thumbs, fingers, pacifiers or other objects may make babies feel secure and happy and help them learn about their world. Since thumb sucking is relaxing, it may help them fall asleep. However, after the permanent teeth come in, sucking may cause problems with the proper growth of the mouth and alignment of the teeth. It can also cause changes in the roof of the mouth. Some aggressive thumbsuckers may cause problems with their baby (primary) teeth. It can be overcome with certain homoeopathic drugs like Calcarea phosphorica, Ceanothus, Chamomilla, Mercurius solubilis, Natrum muriaticum, Natrum sulphuricum, Silicea and Sulphur.

Dental problems needing dentist’s help along with homoeopathic medicines

Dental cavities
Cavities or holes form in the tooth as a result of tooth decay. Though modern literatures indicate dental cavities and caries are similar, cavities form at the later stage. Once it is formed, it is not possible to get that revered by any medication. These cases can be referred to dentists for appropriate treatments like filling, crowns and root canal therapy.

Dental anomalies
There are many forms of dental anomalies. Depending upon location, shape, number of teeth, position of teeth, etc., there are many types of these anomalies. These days advanced dental surgical procedures and methods are available to correct these problems.

Breakage of teeth
There are many occasions where the tooth can break. In such cases, modern technology allows to have a duplicate tooth with substitutes similar to the tooth. Their life is also good with minimal side effects. Since medication cannot do anything in such cases, they can be referred to dentists for appropriate corrective measure.