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Peter
Varley BDS, FDSRCS, DDHom.
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, Chairman of the British
Homeopathic 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 British Homeopathic Dental Association
During the past decade there have been a small group of dentists using homoeopathy
in their practices. Several years ago they came together to form the British
Homeopathic Dental Association. The objectives of the association are to
promote the use of homoeopathy in dentistry to the public and to advance
the professional understanding of the subject through the creation of educational
programmes.
It is also the aim of the Association
to achieve Dental Membership of The Faculty of Homoeopathy.
The Faculty is housed in the Royal London Homeopathic
Hospital in Queen’s Square. Only professional groups such as doctors,
dentists and vets are admitted. The dentists aim to keep under this professional
umbrella.
The first examination in Dental Homeopathy was held in October 1994 in
which nine delegates passed. The Qualification has been ratified by the
Faculty
and is called the Diploma in Dental Homoeopathy. It is the first ever
qualification in Dental Homoeopathy and will help the public discern
who is fully qualified
in this subject.
The BHDA now organises Intermediate Courses in Dental Homoeopathy at the
Faculty and has over 100 members from all over Britain. Interest in dental
homoeopathy is growing and the membership is increasing rapidly. The Association
has a list of members it can pass on to the public. The BHDA has produced
an informative brochure on dental homoeopathy to circulate to both the public
and the dental profession.
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 homeopathic
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 homeopathic 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
Homeopathic 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 homeopathic 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 homeopathic
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 homeopathic 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 homeopathic 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 homeopaths who felt that the peppermint
used as a breath freshener nullified the effects of homeopathic 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.
Ainsworths produce a plain toothpaste
of finely powdered chalk in a base
of vegetable glycerine to be used before taking homeopathic remedies
if coffee, garlic or peppermint have been in the mouth.
These substances are thought
to nullify the effects of homeopathic medicines.
None of the above toothpastes contain
fluoride supplements. Many homeopathic 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 homeopathic
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. Homeopathic 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
homeopathic principles can avoid some of the side effects and also make
it more pleasant for the patient.
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