Keep Smiling With Homeopathy

Looking good is a universal human preoccupation; everyone wants to attain perfection – if not God gifted than better “human-gifted”. Perfect Beauty has been depicted as a harmonious blend of fine curvaceous facial features and white unstained well-aligned teeth whereas monstrous ugliness has been projected through disheveled hair, hideous facial features and crooked broken stained teeth.

Well-set gleamingly white teeth, lodged in healthy pink gums, surrounded by the oral opening that has the Cupid's bow in its upper half, are a brilliant testimony to the aesthetics of the maker and the science which deals in preservation of this beauty is Dentistry.

Mouth and Teeth are the intimate parts of human beings. Besides, they are sensitive indicators of general health status. Willam Osler called the mouth a "Mirror" since the early evidence of sub-clinical disease processes are sometimes mirrored in the oral tissues. Dentistry as a part of healthcare delivery is based on broad biological concepts and on understanding of the patient as a psycho-biological entity. However, in modern times it is increasingly becoming highly mechanical and its newer branches are solely dependent on technological innovations. [Cosmetic Dentistry has projected itself through human appeal to self-image and is popularly identified with cosmetology and beauticians.]

Historical Background

Ancient Greek scholars Hippocrates and Aristotle wrote about dentistry, including the eruption pattern of teeth, treating decayed teeth and gum disease, extracting teeth with forceps, and using wires to stabilize loose teeth and fractured jaws. Historically, the practice of dentistry antedates the Christian era, when gold bands and wires were used with ivory teeth to replace missing teeth. As early as 3000 BC, Sumerians used gold tooth picks and various herbal concoctions to clean their teeth. Dentistry, then, was entirely an art and the only testing laboratory was the mouth of the long suffering patient.

Modern dentistry began only in 1728, when an awakening in the scientific interpretation of dental problems was felt. Since then, form its primitive state of only art, dentistry has made rapid advances and has blossomed into a harmonious blend of science and art of utilizing philosophies, techniques and materials based on sound biomechanical principles, artistic skills and perception of good aesthetic wonders.

Dental Diseases

Dental diseases are a bane of civilisation. They affect the rich and the poor in the same way. The various dental problems prevalent are:

Dental Caries

The oral micro-organisms colonise on the teeth and nourished by modern day's sweet diet, form plaque and produce acids to demineralise the underlying hard tissues resulting in cavitation. The decay progresses from enamel to dentine and finally involves the pulp leading to pulpal and periapical pathosis.

Periodontal Diseases

Inadequate and improper oral hygiene procedures cause plaque and food debris to accumulate around the teeth leading to inflammation of the gums. This causes bleeding from the gums and bad breath. Chronicity of the disease leads to tartar formation, gingival recession, mobility of teeth and finally loss of teeth.

Neoplastic Diseases

The incidence of oral cancers amounts to an alarming 40% of all cancers in India. This is due to the hazardous habits like pan and beetlenut chewing, tobacco intake, smoking, chronic irritation, oral sepsis, hormonal and nutritional disturbances.

Malocclusuion

Besides unaesthetic looks, malaligned teeth lead to food accumulation and inability to maintain good oral hygiene compromising the oral functions.

Trauma

Increased vehicular accidents, accidental falls and street violence's have led to fracture of teeth, jaws and facial bones with soft tissue injuries. These need proper dental care for satisfactory results.

Pedodontic Problems

Poor awareness of deciduous teeth, high intake of sweetened food, inadequate oral hygiene techniques and in between snacks have led to increased incidence of dental decay and early loss of teeth. Persistent habits like thumb sucking and nail biting compound the dental problems.

Geriatric Problems

Better living conditions and advanced medical treatments have led to increased life-span and improved living standards of an average Indian. Loss of teeth, underlying medical compromises and lower economic status make this strata of society a dental cripple. They need meticulous dental handling to improve their quality of life.

Other Dental Problems

These include congenital and developmental deformities, occupational dental hazards caused by systemic disorders.

The Present Trends in Treatment of Tooth Diseases

1. Pit and fissure sealant is a noninvasive procedure of flowing low viscosity resins into the caries susceptible anatomical pits and fissures and this is an effective caries preventive measure.

2. Porcelain laminates and resin-bonding have enhanced aesthetics and preservation of tooth structure.

3. Bleaching agents improve the aesthetics by whitening the unsightly stained teeth and need to be done under professional guidance.

4. Dental implants are artificial tooth root analogs which osseointegrate with bone on which prosthesis can be attached. This exciting field has considerably reduced the conventional role of removable prosthesis.

5. Intra-oral lasers are the latest innovations in dentistry. They can be effectively used to cut hard and soft tissues precisely without much pain.

6. Caries vaccination is a promising and imaginative field where research is still on. Development of an effective vaccine could dramatically change the practice of dentistry.

Prevention of Tooth Complaints

1. Reduce sweets and increase intake of fibrous food. Avoid sweet and sticky food between meals especially sweet candies.

2. Rinse well after every meal.

3. Brush the teeth twice daily using correct technique and use dental floss. If proper cleaning of teeth is not done then food residues are left in between the teeth. Oral bacteria bring about certain chemical changes in this food residue producing an acid. This acid damages tooth enamel and leads to dental caries. This may not happen if proper brushing is done after each meal including breakfast.

4. Calcium and Vitamin D are important in building up of teeth and bone, hence milk as a regular supplement will be a good step in dental care.

5. Fluoridation of drinking water is also an important step in this direction.

6. Visit a dentist for periodic dental check-ups, at least once a year.

7. Avoid hazardous habits like tobacco intake, smoking and pan chewing.

High carbohydrates like in candies, sweets etc should be curbed. Easier said than done!

However, in spite of proper care when tooth problem occurs then following remedies were used.

Dentistry and Homoeopathy

Current trends in Medicine show the increasing utilization of homeopathy medicines for dental complaints and oral health not just by Homeopaths themselves but also conventional practitioners. Dentists use homeopathic medicines in everyday practise as an adjunct to conventional treatment. A number of dentists routinely use remedies like Arnica after extractions, Phosphorous to staunch bleeding, or Aconite to minimise the effects of anaesthetics on sensitive mortals. There are also remedies to help panic stricken patients cope with the ordeal of the dental chair.

The inclusion of homeopathic medicine in a dentist's therapeutic armoury is particularly useful for a range of treatments, from relatively mild acute conditions through to complex chronic pathologies. Some of these conditions have historically been shown to be difficult to treat or manage: for example, dental anxiety, atypical facial pain, burning mouth syndrome and post-extraction osteitis. Success has also been achieved in the treatment of chronic conditions where conventional treatments have failed or are contra-indicated and which include the management of lichen planus and recurrent infection.

Homeopathy is not a replacement or alternative to good clinical dental care but is used alongside conventional treatments and drug regimens. A healthy interaction between the dentist and the consulting Homoeopath will go a long way in successful dental treatment of the patient.

Keeping this in mind, we are releasing the first issue of this New Year giving you all a happy reason to smile. This issue on HOMEOPATHY AND DENTISTRY covers details of how judicious use of Homeopathy can help us in Dental complaints and also in maintaining oral health. Hoping that you enjoy the Issue.

Happy Reading and Keep Smiling!!

Wishing all of you a Health, Prosperous, Successful and Homeopathic New Year.