Homeopathy can provide surprisingly rapid relief in acute toothache, and promotes healing in dental infections and trauma, including after extraction or dental treatment. The right remedy is the one that matches both the specific situation being treated, and your experience of the symptoms. I have included brief information about a number of the remedies that may be helpful below.
Chronic longer term dental problems can improve significantly under professional homeopathic care, so it is worth bearing this in mind if you are prone to recurrent dental abscesses, gingivitis, teeth grinding, or deficient dental enamel, for example.
Toothache
If you experience an acute toothache, it is important to see a dentist as soon as possible to establish the cause of the problem. In the meantime, homeopathy can provide much needed pain relief in many cases. Here are some of the remedies that can help, where the picture fits.
Plantago is a major first aid remedy for dental problems. It is indicated in toothache with sensitivity to touch and cold, and swelling of cheeks. There may be some relief from applying pressure to the affected area, including from eating. Plantago tincture can also be applied directly to the affected area to provide topical relief.
Chamomilla is helpful in toothache where the pain is violent and unbearable. The pain of toothache is felt especially at night, causing great distress and preventing sleep, and may be accompanied by swollen cheek or may radiate to the ears. Chamomilla is well known in homeopathy for teething children, and will also be of great benefit in acute toothache in older children and adults where the picture matches.
Mag phos is effective in toothache with shooting, electric shock like pain, which is worse for cold things (eg ice cream or cold drinks) and better for warmth and warm applications. Mag phos is sometimes referred to as the ‘homeopathic aspirin’ due to its ability to resolve acute neuralgic pain. It will even provide effective relief in severe pain in decayed teeth, while you await an urgent dental appointment.
Coffea is an especially useful first aid remedy for toothache where the pain is worse for heat and better for cold, the reverse indication to Mag phos (for example, the person may obtain temporary relief from holding ice water in the mouth). The character of the pain is shooting or tearing, and comes on in spasms.
Mercurius may be helpful in toothache in decayed teeth, especially where there is a putrid taste in the mouth and increased salivation. Pain is worse for both heat and cold, and is typically worse at night, with pulsating or tearing pain.
Staphysagria is perhaps better known in first aid treatment for healing from episiotomy, lacerations and bladder infections/surgery. However it is also an important remedy in dental problems. It will be helpful in toothache where tenderness to touch is prominent. The pain is also worse for cold drinks or cold air, but not worse for biting down on the affected tooth. It is often indicated in toothache that comes on during menses or during pregnancy.
Nux vomica is a well known homeopathic remedy which is helpful in toothache with the following indications: the pain is worse for cold air and better for warm drinks, and worse for mental or physical exertion. The pain is typically burning, stinging or shooting in character, and may radiate into the jaw, face or temples. It may be accompanied by local swelling, and by marked irritability.
Dental trauma including extraction
These are some of the remedies that will help after dental treatment, including extraction, and dental trauma (ie an injury where the teeth are affected).
Arnica is the first remedy to think of after any dental or surgical procedure. Arnica is indicated where there is bruising, swelling and bleeding, and it will often slow or stop haemorrhage following dental extraction (see also Hamamelis, Erigeron, Millefolium). Arnica may also be helpful after a blow to the teeth where the tooth becomes discoloured. This is similar to a bruise, and Arnica given promptly can help the tooth to survive and restore its natural colour.
Millefolium is noted for profuse bleeding after dental extraction or other dental work. It is also known as Yarrow, and colloquially called Soldier’s Wound Wort. Millefolium is in the same plant family as Arnica, many of the remedies in this family are used homoeopathically and herbally as vulneraries or trauma remedies. Several authors recommend a prophylactic dose to be taken before dental surgery.
Hamamelis is made from witch-hazel, and in homeopathic potency is especially useful where there is haemorrhage after dental extraction, especially where Arnica has been given but not stopped the bleeding. Hamamelis is also used in any situation where there is bleeding after a blow or blunt trauma (eg nosebleed).
Hypericum is known as the ‘Arnica of the Nerves’ and has a strong affinity to areas of the body rich in nerves. It is especially useful where there are sharp, shooting pains in the teeth or jaw following dental work. Hypericum tincture can also be used to make a healing mouthwash. Use half a teaspoon of tincture in a glass of cool boiled water.
Phosphorus is another remedy to consider for persistent bleeding after tooth extraction. It is also the first remedy to think of for problems following anaesthesia for dental work.
Thank you for the email Karen. I enjoyed reading about the various remedies you mentioned and your website is also very interesting and informative. I like to add to my knowledge of homeopathy which has been my primary source of care for the last 20 years of my adult life. Thanks again. Noel
Dear Noel, thank you for taking the time to comment, and I am so glad to hear the remedy information is useful! Best wishes, Karen
Thanks for this well informed offering on homeopathic remedies. Found it quite informative.
So glad you found it useful. Best wishes, Karen
Is it possible for a cracked tooth below the gum line be restored through homeopathic remedies or cell salts?
I would consider a combined approach to strengthen and remineralise – nutritional measures, good remineralising toothpaste/topical applications, and tissue salts alongside.
Gone through the content and taken support of Arnica matching to my need after extraction.
I am glad to hear the article was helpful for you.
do you have any suggestion for exposed nerve on lower left tooth that has a filling but nerve was very close to surface?
gums don’t hurt from outside the tooth, but, if I press the tooth down it’s very painful and it gives me whole left face excruciating pain. thanks
Hi Aria, in this situation it may be advisable to seek professional care with a homeopath, as there may be several remedies possibly indicated, and difficult to recommend home treatment options without knowing more. Best wishes, Karen
Dear Karen
Can you please explain the difference between the Coffea
Cruda and Coffea Tosta
I have periodontitis and toothache in Wisdom teeth
The roots are decaying in front teeth
I had a tooth pulled out and a lump has now become painful
Of course my fear is out of control as each time I see a dentist more things go wrong
I am seeing a homeopath but I saw your article on teeth
Mag phos for toothache that wants warmth
Then I got a different horrible pain that needed cold
As there are different issues I guess I need both
I went to order Coffea from Helios and then discovered there are two, which one or both?
Funny I am an addictive coffee drinker but swapping to Dandelion coffee!!
I read a research study that amongst other remedies Belladonna was successful with Periodontitis
When you are trying to deal with teeth, Clove Essential oil is invaluable in the kit. Plus I am listening to dentists of using other essential oils to rub in gums eg Frankincense
This then causes my dilemma does Clove or other oils negate homeopathy
A previous Homeopath I saw poopoohed this and quoted a homeopath that treated mental health problems by dropping remedies into their coffee
And was not worried about Essential Oils, coffee, peppermint and taking a number of remedies at once
I must say it was much easier to comply taking the remedies and much less stressful
She said it was someone (i cant remember who) that started this and everyone followed suit. I wondered what you thought and if you agree with we must not take this or that, where does it come from?
Hi Paula, the two Coffea remedies have some similar indications, but Coffea cruda is the main remedy, and the one you will have seen listed for toothache better for iced water. However there are a large number of possible remedies for dental issues, depending on your exact symptom profile – your homeopath should be able to advise further. Regarding the issue of essential oils and antidoting. Homeopathy is powerful, and there is little that will stop a well matched remedy from acting. Remedies are more vulnerable on the ‘way in’ so I usually advise against using essential oils around the time you are taking a remedy. Best wishes, Karen
Hola, es muy interesante tu información.
Me tienen que colocar hueso y membrana en un implante qué se quebró, consideras que la Staphysagria sería lo mejor para este caso?
Hi Nora, I have translated your question into English as follows: ‘Hello, your information is very interesting.
I need bone and membrane implants placed on a fractured implant. Do you think Staphysagria would be the best option for this case?’ Could you say more about what your concern is with your procedure? Is it for general healing support, or for pain relief, or another problem? You could read about Hypericum, Sympthytum, Hecla lava as well as Staphysagria – do reply with some further details if you can. Best wishes, Karen
Hi what remedy can one use during orthodontic treatment to prevent root resorption? Expansion , braces etc
Hi Fatima, different remedies will be needed according to the specific issue concerned, individual experience (eg different sensations of pain, effects of inflammation) and dental history. It does not work preventatively since we don’t yet know how symptoms may manifest. Homeopathy works by matching individual symptoms to remedies that correspond to your individual symptom profile. Are there specific concerns and symptoms you have which are not covered in the blog post? Best wishes, Karen
Hi Karen
Phosphorus has been mentioned in reviews of re-mineralisatio of teeth – important for many patients as they contemplate implants.
What potency and dosage of Phosphorus and for what period is likely to be efficacious ? Or perhaps a 200c as a one – off. Homeopathic Calc Fluor was also mentioned.
Hi Anton, the main generic recommendations to support dental remineralisation are cell salts (also called tissue salts). These are homeopathic remedies in 6X or 9X potency, and the ones to look at are Calc phos, Calc fluor and Silica. They can be taken for a period of a few weeks, 2-3 times daily. Best wishes Karen