The Blessings of a Toothache?

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Toothache .... 
just the word makes you cringe, right? It did me too.  I knew it was coming, I had that little twinge giving me advance warning for about two weeks. And then it hit ... the pounding, actually waking me up. I immediately got up and applied some oregano oil directly on the tooth and went back to bed. The oregano oil worked, but at its best would last only about half an hour at a time and then I'd have to apply more of the oil. It was a mostly sleepless night. The next day I added garlic to the regimen to help bring down any infection. I continued with the oregano oil and kept watch on the various symptoms as they arose, by day four the whole right side of my face hurt and I could feel the swollen glands. I finally made a call to the dentist. Sure enough the tooth needed to come out.

My initial consultation with a local dentist ended in an office fee just for a refferal to an out of town dentist to actually do the work. Leaving the office very frustrated and still in pain I walked into Pagosa Dental and they were able to get me in and taken care of that very day.  In the end I ended up with a tooth extraction, not a root canal and a very traumatized mouth that I am still treating.

It is my goal in all of my health issues to treat myself holistically. This tooth issue has been an interesting experience for me. I am still treating the pain with various natural and emotional modalities. I can't say at this time that I have figured out my body's exact balance with these treatments and I have resorted a few times to Ibuprofen. I struggle with this decision, because I know there is a holistic reason for the continuing pain.

Here are some of the things that I have tried, some of the things that I am looking into trying and some of the things that have been suggested for me to try - yes, I do feel a bit like a guinea pig, but I look forward to finding holistic answers that can help everyone.

• Different essential oils: oregano, tea tree, clove, thieves oil, winter green oil
• Herbs: White willow and lobelia for pain, white oak for tightening the gums, echinacea for the numbing effect, garlic and golden seal for infection. (You can take a clove of garlic, cut it in half and place it on the gum, just at the base of the tooth, to help draw out infection. It may burn the gum a little, but if you rub olive oil on the gum first, it will ease that.)
• Energy Boost 70, an ancient plant mass that is an awesome source of minerals
• Oil pulling  - an ayurvedic technique for oral health
• I am going to be trying an ultrasound vibrational therapy. Current research states that this can help in the regeneration of tooth material. Between you and me, I'm going to try and regrow my tooth! I'll keep you informed of the progress!

I would love to hear what you have tried. What has worked and what has not worked? 

'til next time,

Julee

(with a little help from Kanaka)