Dental Support -- Homeopathic Remedies

Homeopathic remedies can be helpful in many ways, both before and after dental work-to ease anxiety before a visit, reduce the tendency toward bruising and tissue damage during procedures, and to relieve discomfort afterward.

Although homeopathic substances listed in this article are generally not known to cause serious side effects, their effectiveness has not been demonstrated by scientific research. Consumers should check labels carefully, since a homeopathic product that is not diluted, or not diluted enough, can contain ingredients that cause allergic reactions, side effects, or interactions. It is always advisable to discuss any new treatment program with your healthcare practitioner.

For dosage information, please read the information at the end of this section. See also “Using Homeopathy With Professional Guidance” in What Is Homeopathy?

Homeopathic Options

This is a useful first-aid remedy for any situation involving bruising and tissue damage. Some dentists recommend that patients take it both before and after stressful dental work, including dental surgery. Arnica may be used as long as soreness lasts, or followed by another remedy aimed at more specific symptoms.

This remedy can help the body overcome inflammation, infection, and abscess. It can be taken internally in potentized form, or used as an herbal tincture. Applied to injured gums and areas around the teeth, the tincture can help reduce the chance of infection, and help the tissues heal after being cut or bruised.

This remedy is often helpful when a person is hypersensitive to pain and the aftermath of dental work seems intolerable. Chamomilla sometimes works when pain medications have little or no effect, by helping the person's nerve response become more balanced.

This remedy can help to ease the apprehension and anxiety that often precede a visit to the dentist. The person may tremble and feel weak from dread, develop a headache (in the back of the head and the muscles of the neck), or feel mentally dull and lethargic.

This remedy is known for its soothing effect when nerves or nerve-filled body areas are injured. Shooting, jabbing pains are often felt. Hypericum is very useful after oral surgery, especially root canals.

A person with a tendency toward tender, bleeding, swollen gums and teeth that easily loosen and decay may benefit from this remedy. Offensive breath, excessive salivation, and swollen glands are other indications. Symptoms are worse at night, and the person is very sensitive to temperatures, both cold and hot.

Dosage

Select the remedy that most closely matches the symptoms. In conditions where self-treatment is appropriate, unless otherwise directed by a physician, a lower potency (6X, 6C, 12X, 12C, 30X, or 30C) should be used. In addition, instructions for use are usually printed on the label.

Many homeopathic physicians suggest that remedies be used as follows: Take one dose and wait for a response. If improvement is seen, continue to wait and let the remedy work. If improvement lags significantly or has clearly stopped, another dose may be taken. The frequency of dosage varies with the condition and the individual. Sometimes a dose may be required several times an hour; other times a dose may be indicated several times a day; and in some situations, one dose per day (or less) can be sufficient.

If no response is seen within a reasonable amount of time, select a different remedy.

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The information presented in Aisle7 is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires February 2010.