With any dental work, from a simple cleaning to root canal, I recommend two homeopathic remedies to take after your procedure: arnica and hypericum. Together they speed recovery, aid healing and reduce pain. They are safe and effective for both adults and children.
Arnica is probably the best known single homeopathic remedy, and the way that many people are introduced to homeopathy. When my son played baseball and basketball, his whole team grew to appreciate these “magic pills”. Arnica excels in healing trauma to soft tissue. It is helpful for bruises, falls, contusions, concussions, sprains and strains: any time there is impact and bruising and/or bleeding. It can help with pain during and after childbirth and is invaluable after surgery. In all these situations, Arnica will both reduce pain and increase healing.
Arnica is also invaluable for shock and trauma in general, situations in which someone keeps insisting “I’m okay” or “I’m fine” but it is clear they are not.
Hypericum is the remedy to use when there is damage to nerve-rich areas. That’s why it’s so helpful after dental work. For the same reason, it is also the remedy to use for injuries to fingers and toes, the tailbone, or the spine in general. Many a smashed finger has been soothed with hypericum.
As soon as your dental appointment ends, take a dose of arnica in a 200c potency. You can take it even before the feeling is fully back in your mouth. Then, alternate arnica and hypericum, also in a 200c, every 15 minutes, until your mouth begins to feel normal again. Depending on the severity of your symptoms, a couple of doses may suffice, or you may need to take it repeatedly.
I strongly recommend you carry both these remedies with you, especially if you have young kids. They can be invaluable first aid, and the small vials are easy to keep in a purse or pocket. They can be damaged by heat, so keep them somewhere cool.
Arnica and Hypericum are commonly found at heath food stores, although not always in high enough potencies. If you would like to pick these remedies up in my office, or have me send them to you, please let me know.
Fran Sussman Holistic Services 