A homeopathic dentist uses homeopathic remedies to diagnose and treat dental health problems. He may also recommend preventive methods a person can use to keep his teeth and gums in good shape. Usually, a homeopathic dentist can do anything a traditional dentist can, but he treats the whole body rather than just the patient’s teeth and gums. For example, he may consider how stress or other issues are causing pain or inflammation before treating the patient. In most cases, these dentists are trained and licensed in traditional dentistry as well.
Typically, a homeopathic dentist strives to treat a patient’s whole body rather than concentrating on the patient’s mouth alone. Likewise, the focus of his practice is on natural healing rather than on traditional medications that may help in some ways but may also harm a patient’s health. The idea with homeopathic dentistry is that many illnesses and conditions occur because a person has an imbalance of mental, physical, and spiritual health. As such, a homeopathic dentist typically places importance on helping to restore a patient's mind, body, and spirit to their natural balance.
A homeopathic dentist may treat patients for a wide range of conditions, including abscesses. One of the common treatments a dentist may recommend for dental abscesses is an herb called belladonna, which is used for treating an abscess that develops in combination with inflammation and throbbing pain in the area. He may also use bryonia, a type of perennial herb, for this issue if inflammation and a pricking type of pain is present. A homeopathic dentist may also advise patients to use silica, also called silicon dioxide, to encourage pus to drain from an abscess.
Homeopathic dentists often treat patients who are dealing with gum inflammation and disease as well. For example, a dentist may use arsenicum album, which contains arsenic, to treat gums that bleed and are unhealthy. He may, however, recommend an essential mineral called phosphorus for the treatment of bleeding gums accompanied by excess saliva. If gum problems lead to loosened teeth and the patient has pain that only gets worse when pressure is applied to the area, staphysagria, which comes from a flowering plant, may be used to lessen symptoms.
Pain is another common issue for which a person may turn to a homeopathic dentist. For example, a person may visit this type of dentist for help with a toothache that is particularly problematic at night or when the mouth is exposed to heat. In such a case, the dentist may recommend treatment with antimonium crudum, which is derived from the mineral stibnite. If the toothache gets worse in the presence of cold, however, a homeopathic dentist may recommend the use of magnesia phosphorica, which is a mixture of phosphate soda and sulphate of magnesia.
Since homeopathic dentists usually have training in traditional dentistry as well, they are also qualified to take care of common oral problems like cavities. This type of dentist may also fill cavities, for example, and do extractions when necessary. The difference is his focus remains on the patient's whole health while performing these procedures.
