A Toothful Solution

Teeth, Teething, Toothaches

Best Single Herb: Cloves

Best Combinations: White willow bark, valerian, wild lettuce, capsicum; garlic (for infection); black walnut extract (brush)

Other Helpful Supplements: Vitamin C; calcium/magnesium with vitamin D

Possible Causes: Blood sugar imbalance; poor oral hygiene

Complementary Help: Visit the dentist; check your blood sugar; floss

Having problems with your teeth is no fun. First and foremost, of course, you need to have proper hygiene habits, such as brushing after meals and flossing at least once per day. Second, regular dental check-ups and cleanings will help you keep your oral health in top condition.

Some people are afraid to go to the dentist, but it is better to go more frequently — especially if you are worried — because the sooner your dentist can catch a problem, the easier it will be to fix for both of you. Letting cavities, cracks, and receding gum lines go unattended can only lead to more serious problems requiring much more time in the dental chair. A cavity now could require a crown or even a root canal farther down the line. So be sure that you stay on top of your oral health, and then use these herbal remedies for your internal environment and help you in emergencies when you can’t get to your dentist right away.

About overcoming an ailment with herbs

Ask your hygienist to show you how to brush correctly — believe it or not, there are right and wrong ways of brushing. You can even damage your gums by using the wrong type of brush! Don’t be embarrassed to ask for clarity; your hygienist will be happy to instruct you on the proper ways to brush and floss.

Numbing Tooth Pain with Cloves

Clove (Eugenia caryophyllata) is a very powerful aromatic herb that has been used for thousands of years as a painkiller. The dried flower buds have been used to numb pain, to kill bacteria and parasites, and to help expel mucus. Topically, clove oil is the best application to numb the pain of a toothache. Rub a small amount around the tooth that is bothering you as a topical analgesic, and call your dentist to have the underlying problem corrected.

Warnings about the use of herbs

Use caution when using clove oil on yourself — and especially with babies. This concentrated oil is extremely powerful and could make you very sick when used in excess.

If you have a child who is teething, a drop of diluted clove oil can be applied to your finger and rubbed onto your baby’s gums. Use only a small amount of this oil, and dilute it first with olive oil (1 part clove oil to about 20 parts olive oil). Do not give clove oil to babies internally, however — cloves are extremely powerful and need to be used with caution, especially the concentrated essential oil. Too much can be toxic for adults, and it is too strong for babies internally. It can give children nausea or headaches. See Chapter 26, “An Herbal First Aid Kit,” for more on the uses of the essential oil of cloves. Birch or peppermint oil placed on gums in this same manner can be used as a substitute for clove oil for teething babies or toothaches.

More to Chew On

Because your teeth are bones and are considered part of your overall structural system, herbs and supplements that will support your overall structural system can also strengthen and nourish your teeth. For instance, a calcium and magnesium supplement that includes vitamin D is one of the best minerals you can feed your bones. Vitamin C with extra citrus bioflavonoids will also help you absorb calcium and nourish the tissues that surround your teeth. Alfalfa is another excellent herb that is rich in organic minerals, and liquid chlorophyll (the blood of the alfalfa plant) will help you keep calcium in the body, where it belongs!

If you are having lots of dental caries (cavities) despite your great oral hygiene, then consider your nutrition. To help you with a tooth infection, try garlic. When you have a tooth abscess, the infection can be spread throughout your blood stream and can cause you to feel ill. The garlic will help fight off the bad bacteria and will keep your immune system fighting. But, for your dentist’s sake, take an enterically coated garlic tablet instead of chewing the raw cloves!

For tooth pain, until you can get to your dentist, try this combination: white willow bark, valerian, wild lettuce, and capsicum. These are great for relaxing you (pain usually causes tension) and curbing the pain associated with toothaches. For infections of the gums, brush with black walnut powder, or use some myrrh to pack around gums. Herbs used historically to prevent tooth decay include:

• Wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) contains the active ingredient (thymol) used in the mouthwash Listerine®, known to kill bacteria in the mouth. This herb also contains geraniol, known as a decay-prevention compound.
• Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana) is a controversial herb that can be used as a sugar replacement. It is said to be 100 times sweeter than table sugar, so only a pinch is needed to sweeten foods or drinks. Using this herb instead of sugar could help you prevent sugar-induced tooth decay.
• Chaparral (Larrea divaricata) can be made into a mouthwash and used to prevent tooth decay. This herb contains antiseptic properties and has been used for toothaches in folk medicine for centuries.
• Myrrh also contains antiseptic properties and can be used as a mouthwash or dental pack.

About overcoming an ailment with herbs

Soda pop creates an acid environment and can wreak havoc on your dental health. Sugary gum and hard candies create an environment for decay to begin. Dried fruit such as raisins and fruit rolls are sticky and can be just as bad for the teeth. Try sugarless snacks instead, and brush and floss after meals.

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