Homeopathy in Dentistry by Bill Wolfe, DDS, NMD

Samuel Hahnemann The latter part of the 20th Century has brought along with its technical and synthetic advances a resurgence of the understanding of human beings as a total entity body, mind, emotions, and soul "holism." The use of homeopathy is helping today's dentists give holistic care to their patients.

More dentists are recognizing that attached to the teeth is a human being, and that in treating a localized manifestation of disease in the mouth, it is imperative that due consideration be given to the general physical state of the patient. Only when the dentist understands the relationship that oral disease has to the physical and mental aspects of the patient can he or she offer a fully therapeutic service.

Briefly, homeopathy is a system of healing that seeks to cure illness in accordance with certain principles of healing, utilizing "remedles made from plants, minerals, or animal products." These remedies are prepared by a process of repeated dilution and shaking, which renders them capable of stimulating the healing process. The treatment is not directed at removing symptoms or killing germs but, rather, toward strengthenlng the person so that his or her own healing capacities function better.

Homeopathy discovers the essence of disease through the symptom syndrome, or the totality of the mental, emotional, and physical symptoms expressed by the patient. By means of the totality of symptoms, the homeopathic practitioner treats the patient as a whole rather than treating the disease in its localized expression. Therefore, the cause rather than the effect is being treated.

All patients are unique. Two different patients visit the dentist. Both complain of a toothache with similar duration, location, and intensity of pain. However, by talking with each patient, it can be observed that one of them is reluctant to talk about his problems, wants no sympathy, and has only come to the office because his symptoms are of sufficient intensity to force him to ask for help. The other patient is easygoing, enjoys sympathy, and is clearly ready for help. For the best treatment, constitutional homeopathy should be applied, along with pathological homeopathy.

Constitutional homeopathic prescribing involves analyzing a person's body type, temperament, disposition, and behavioral tendencies. Pathological prescribing is a treatment specifically for the disease or ailment. Homeopathy in holistic dentistry offers a combination of these. Thus, it is possible to prescribe one remedy to suit the general temperament or psychological state of a patient and another for the particular problem the patient is experiencing.

There are many homeopathic remedies that have been found effective In treating various dental condltlons.

Choose the menu option Homeopathic Remedies, to view a partial list of such homeopathic remedies and the conditions for which they are recommended. For more details regarding specific indications, contraindications, potencies, and dosages, reference should be made to James Tyler Kent's Repertory at the Homeopathc Materia Medica (S. Jam Publishers, reprint 1987), or the Materia Medica With Repertory by Willam Boericke (B. Jain Publishers, reprint 1990).