Arnica for Dental Surgery

Dental pain! A trip to the dentist is commonly associated with a painful memory of a prior dental experience. The throbbing, swelling, bleeding, and aching pain vividly stands out in your memory. This typically does not occur during semi-annual cleanings or simple cavity fillings, but when the dental procedure involves an extraction, surgery or treatment for a dental emergency (most commonly from an accident with a blow to the mouth or head). This is when there is real value from using arnica.

Healing energy normally flows through the nervous and circulatory systems in the body. Under normal circumstances, this process occurs naturally. However, a trauma disturbs this normal flow and can create a visual sign (blood) as well as a very real sensation of pain. This is common to dental trauma.

When a dental procedure creates this type of trauma, the body typically creates inflammation as a natural defense mechanism to the trauma. The inflammation, although unsightly and painful, is just part of the natural healing process of the body.

A standard pharmaceutical approach to dealing with inflammation and pain is by using anti-inflammatory (examples include over-the-counter drugs like aspirin, ibuprofen or naproxen) and pain-medications, like codeine. The anti-inflammatory medicine has both pain-killing response as well as the anti-inflammatory activity. Pain medication acts only on the brain, deceiving our perception of localized pain while doing essentially nothing to actually help heal the wound.

Arnica, on the other hand, effectively helps the body to overcome the trauma through the natural mechanisms already in the body to reduce the pain and inflammation, rather than by using man-made chemicals.

A good suggestion is to consider arnica for all dental traumas. The remedy will help the body control the inflammation and the perception of pain, naturally working with the body. Taking arnica after a dental trauma can help speed the healing process overall.

The most effective dosing with the arnica is to take a dose:

1. The evening before the procedure,

2. While waiting in the dental office immediately PRIOR to the procedure,

3. Immediately AFTER the procedure,

4. Then continue to dose the remedy every 6 hours AND as needed.

4.1. These additional as needed doses are practical to address potential break-thru pain that would normally be addressed by taking the “as needed” dose of the

pain or anti-inflammatory medication.

*IMPORTANT! Medications may be prescribed with specific dosing instructions AND/OR “as needed”. Arnica can ALWAYS be taking “on top” of any prescribed regime,without causing complication or interruptions with the prescribed treatment plan .However it is always best to include your practitioner on YOUR treatment plans. Never change the plans the dentist gives you without consulting with the prescriber.

Written by:

Dr. Peter Wannigman

The Who, Why, When of Using Arnica

Anyone of any age, or in any state of wellness or sickness, strength or weakness. Among its generations of users, there is not a recorded case of bad side effects from using homeopathy’s safe doses of Arnica.

Below is a general description of Arnica, from 1-800-Homeopathy’s Single Remedy Catalogue. For more extensive descriptions, click on Materia medica listings on this website:

• First Aid - Bruising, bleeding, trauma, pain and swelling after injuries, blows, dental work, surgery,   childbirth, etc. Backache, joint & muscle pain from strain or exercise.

• Modalities - Better lying with head low. Worse touch, jarring, exertion.

General Description

This premier first aid remedy has brought many converts to homeopathy by minimizing bruising, bleeding, swelling, shock, pain and recovery time following strains, injuries, dental work, surgery, childbirth, exercise… Even without bruising or obvious signs of injury after trauma, Arnica relieves the aftershock, soreness and pain that follows.

Sprains:

Whenever backs are lifting and joints are twisting, Arnica can minimize the swelling, bruising and pain. In homeopath Asa Hershoff’s book on Musculoskeltal Healing, his perfect formula for sprains begins with Arnica to reduce swelling, bruising and trauma.

Broken bones:

Arnica given in the first stage can minimize the swelling and get you in the final cast much sooner. Once the bone is well set, low doses of Symphytum should take Arnica’s place.

Skin:

On the skin and soft tissues everywhere, Arnica can help the body reduce bruising, minimize bleeding of minor cuts, plus ease tender sore spots like boils, acne or blood blisters.

Muscles:

For aches and muscles, Arnica can bring much comfort when a strong cough has your ribcage feeling sore, or a flu has your muscles aching. A dose before and after a workout can minimize the next day’s stiffness and help the muscles heal.

Arnica is an excellent all-around remedy, but please remember to consult a licensed medical professional for serious injuries.