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Monday, November 24, 2014

Wisdom Tooth

This morning, I woke up to a very horrible pain.. and the throbbing felt like shit. It was the first time I had wished someone would punch me on the mandible, extracting the tooth upon impact. I tried chewing for ginger for a while, but it only helped for an hour or two.. It came back after I have had my lunch and the damn thing was nastier than ever as if mocking me of my effort to neutralize the pain. 

Fortunately for me, my new colleague at work (this guy is a seasoned naturopath) was kind enough to buy for me a 'clove oil preparation'. As far as I could remember, I knew that clove oil was used to numb the pain (by combining grinded clove mixed with vegetable oil and dabbed onto cotton wool then inserted in the mouth.  But now all these lengthy methods can be replaced by using this decent, affordable and handy preparation. for only $2.50.


This is somehow an old method revived.  But still, The best way to stop the pain is to visit the dentist and have it treated once and for all. Bear in mind that this is just a temporary treatment to help you endure the pain as you make your way to the dentist.


Natural Toothache Remedies - A naturopath's view

Not many people are aware of the fact that several herbs can be used in the relief of toothache pain. Natural herbs such as cloves, calendula, tarragon, and yarrow can be used to help relieve th pain until you can get to the dentist. For many years, different cultures have counted on herbs to help get the pain of a toothache control and get temporary relief.

Native Americans for example, used the inner bark found in the butternut tree to their gums to get relief from toothaches. The butternut tree is found in North America, and is also the cousin of the black walnut tree. Butternut trees are found along rivers in well drained soil, rich woods, and even in back yards. Once the tree matures, it can reach heights of up to 60 feet, with the bark being light grey in color, and the leaves and the fruit resembling the black walnut tree. The bark of the tree can be applied to the gums, helping to alleviate toothache pain.  

Yarrow on the other hand, can be found in Asia, Europe, and North America. It normally grows wild in meadows, fields, and in open wood lands. The root of yarrow, is what contains the anaesthetic effect. If you apply the fresh root of yarrow to your tooth or gums, it will help to stop the pain - until you can get an appointment with the dentist and get it taken care of.

The herb known as clove is an evergreen tree, native to tropical areas. These days however, it can be found throughout the world. As many already know, the dried flower bud of clove is what contains the medicine. The oil from clove, when used on a toothache, will help to stop the pain almost immediately. If you compare cloves to other natural toothache remedies, you’ll find clove to be the best.

For many years, natural herbs have been used to stop toothache pain. Hundreds of years ago, herbs were the only way to stop the pain. Dentists were just starting to come around, although they didn’t have near the equipment and sophistication that they have these days. Even though teeth were pulled during these times, it normally happened with alcohol to numb the pain then pliers to remove the tooth.

Throughout the course of time, herbs have proven to be very effective with stopping toothache pain. If you are interested in herbs or have any questions about them, you shouldn’t hesitate to ask your dentist his opinion. Some Dentists know herbs, and perhaps should be able to recommend natural remedies to you if you request them. The next time you experience the pain of a toothache - you should always remember that herbs are a great way to relieve the pain.

A Close Look At Wisdom Tooth


Also known as the third set of molars, the wisdom teeth are the last set of teeth in the mouth to erupt, which normally happens around the ages of 17 - 25 (though I am having it at 31 as of now). For many years, there has been a lot of controversy as to the need to remove these teeth. If the teeth don’t cause any harm or pain, they are normally fine to stay in place. If they present a bad position or cause you a lot of pain or discomfort, they will need to be removed.

When the wisdom teeth/tooth first comes in, they will sometimes be impacted. Impacted teeth will normally need to be extracted. Sometimes they can be pulled, although in most cases they need to be cut out by a qualified surgeon. When the time comes, to have your wisdom teeth extracted, you’ll need to go to an oral surgeon and have a consultation first. This is the inevitable process of life. Being in pain was one thing, but I was more worried of the price.

I was told by my dentist friend, during a typical consultation, the dentist at times will take a few x-rays if need be. He will go over the results with the patient, take a look at the mouth, then tell he patient what the options are. If he is going to pull or cut out the teeth, the patient wi’ll have the option of using local anaesthesia or going with an IV sedation. An IV sedation is the preferred way to have wisdom teeth extracted, as the patient will be so relaxed he won’t know what is going on. If say, one decides to just use local anaesthesia, he will be fully made aware of the procedure. One might also hear the popping and cracking involved, which can make some patients feel quite uncomfortable (gee...).Depending on the shape, size, and the formation of the wisdom teeth, the removal process can vary from easy to hard. If the root tips have managed to wrap themselves around the bone, the removal process can be very time consuming and quite painful. Once the extractions have been completed, there is normally little to no swelling involved. The dentist will prescribe some pain medicine, to consume as soon as you arrive home. I bet If you are going to use IV sedation, you’'ll need to someone to accompany you, as you won’t be able to drive home. My professor did warn me about ignoring tooth issues and the dangers that co-relate with general well being of many organs. I guess I'll blog about it some other time then.

In the mean time now, I will be seeking my office managers' help to book an appointment for me. This is something way beyond my scope of knowledge. I dont think the clove oil drops can last forever. Like the Malay and Indonesian Idiom describes it to be, "Biar sakit hati, jangan sakit gigi"- Better off with heart pain (emotionally) than teeth pain. This is so apt, and as if it wasn't enough of a torture, the current top hit song on the radio as I am typing this entry "Sakitnya tuh disini". Bleah~

Dr Hadinata

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