Homeopathy, especially for acute conditions, is quick and easy to use within dentistry and can bring an increased sense of job satisfaction to the dentist and an improved sense of health and wellbeing to the patient, says Samantha Jugdev.
The Homeopathy Research Institute estimates that, in the UK, 32 million people use homeopathy and there is an increasing number of the population taking an interest in complementary healthcare as a whole. As healthcare professionals, we cannot ignore this number.
Often, these interventions are chosen to complement rather than instead of conventional treatments – and this is an opportunity for us to engage with our patients to support their health.
The criticism that homeopathy is often subjected to is that it is ‘implausible’. One of the principles of homeopathy is that of dilution and succussion (the vigorous shaking during preparation).
‘Currently, the most promising theory to explain the action of homeopathy is based in physics and energy-based mechanisms rather than in chemistry’
In many preparations, the dilution is carried out beyond the probability of Avogadro’s number and would suggest that there should be none of the original substance remaining in the solution. The science behind this is still in the process of being discovered but headway is being made.
Currently, the most promising theory to explain the action of homeopathy is based in physics and energy-based mechanisms rather than in chemistry.
This would suggest that the energy of the original substance is transferred to the homeopathic solution rather than it being present in material doses.
The next criticism, claiming that there is no evidence that homeopathy works, is incorrect.
As of the end of 2022, 271 randomised controlled trials of homeopathic treatment for a range of 144 medical conditions have been published in peer-reviewed journals.
Only 3% of these trials found that homeopathy is ineffective, compared to 43% proving effectiveness and 54% being inconclusive. These are comparable to the findings of research carried out for conventional medicine where 10% of studies show ineffectiveness, 45% show effectiveness and 45% are inconclusive, according to the Homeopathy Research Institute.
What is homeopathy?
Homeopathy is a system of medicine that was originally developed, researched, taught and practised by Dr Hahnemann more than 200 years ago. It was founded and developed at a time when conventional professional medical interventions involved often poisonous substances and the practice of bleeding – a kill or cure approach.
Medicine has come on a long way since these times when the basic understanding of human biology and physiology was still based on Galen’s four humours:
- Phlegm
- Blood
- Yellow bile
- Black bile.
Homeopathy offers a system of medicine that is more in tune with the individual’s experience of disease with medicines or remedies that stimulate the body’s natural healing process to bring about homeostasis.
Basic principles
Homeopathy continues to be used today and is still primarily based on Dr Hahnemann’s original principles. It is the medical system of choice for many people all over the world due to its gentle mechanisms of action, lack of adverse effects and affordability.
The basic principles are:
- The Law of Similars where the symptoms brought about from taking a certain substance can be used to heal similar symptoms observed and experienced during illness or disease
- The Minimum Dose, which is when the substance is diluted enough times that the substance no longer has toxicity or brings on adverse effects
- Potentisation is the process of a series of dilutions and succussions to prepare and make the remedy.
Homeopathy in dentistry
So, how is this relevant to dental care? Firstly, talking to our patients with an open mind encourages a better rapport and allows our patients to be honest with us about their healthcare choices. It is better to know how they are managing their health and should be able to discuss this with us without judgement. It builds trust and increases satisfaction as we understand our patients better.
Secondly, using simple homeopathy alongside our dental care gives us an extra tool in our surgeries to support the healing and ongoing health of our patients.
Homeopathy can be used to help our patients on a deep, whole-person level to improve health or used simply in acute conditions. Homeopathy has always recognised the importance of the mouth in general health and also as a window into the rest of the body.
In homeopathy, there are several thousand different remedies and most of these have aspects that are relevant to oral health. However, some remedies can be particularly useful in the dental surgery and can complement dental care in a very simple, quick, safe and cost-effective way.
Arnica
Arnica is a very well-known remedy and used by many people as tablets or cream as soon as they experience bruising or trauma.
It has an affinity for small blood vessels and soft tissues, making it a great remedy for using in the dental surgery for any interventions from hygiene treatment to extractions or placing implants.
Arnica is readily available and having a bottle of tablets in a 30C dilution is easy to have on the side to administer to patients. They may only need one tablet just before treatment and another just after. They can continue taking it every few hours for the next few days until they feel better.
Chamomilla
Chamomilla is probably the saviour of many parents with teething babies. The baby often has one red cheek, and can be bad tempered, not knowing what they want – to be carried, to be put down, that toy, another toy.
The teething powders that are widely available contain chamomilla in a 6C dilution, are safe to give very frequently and can have a rapid, calming effect. This can also be a useful remedy for the agitated and sensitive patient and can be more effective in a 30C dilution.
Traumeel
Traumeel is a complex of different remedies, including arnica, combined to help manage symptoms of redness, heat and swelling; pain; infection; and promote wound healing. This gives us an invaluable adjunct to dental treatment and has been well researched.
Das and colleague (2019) carried out a randomised triple-blind clinical trial comparing ibuprofen and Traumeel after periodontal flap surgery. They found that the patients that had been given Traumeel consumed fewer tablets and had a better tissue response with no adverse reactions compared to the patients taking ibuprofen.
A gentle, natural approach
Homeopathy has a close relationship with a more gentle and natural approach to disease within the body, which is often well accepted by the patient. With a small number of useful remedies within the surgery and that are easily accessible to patients, a wide range of conditions and situations can be managed alongside conventional dental treatment (Eames and Darby, 2011).
Although dental practitioners should only treat what they would treat as an oral physician, this approach still offers extensive possibilities.
Homeopathy, especially for acute conditions, is quick and easy to use within dentistry and can bring an increased sense of job satisfaction to the dentist and an improved sense of health and wellbeing to the patient.
Holistic dentistry 101
Interested in finding out more about integrative dentistry and holistic care? Dive in to a different way of thinking with our essential guide to holistic dentistry, curated by Dr James Goolnik.
References
Das R, Deshmukh J, Asif K, Sindhura H, Devarathanamma MV, Jyothi L (2019) Comparative evaluation of analgesic and anti-inflammatory efficacy of ibuprofen and traumeel after periodontal flap surgery: a randomized triple-blind clinical trial. J Indian Soc Periodontol 23(6): 549-553
Eames S, Darby P (2011) Homeopathy and its ethical use in dentistry. Br Dent J 210(7): 299-301.
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