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Juntendo Clinic

515 E. Golf Rd., Suite 108

Arlington Heights, IL 60005 US

847-290-8339

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  • Acupuncture For Acute Dental Pain

Acupuncture For Acute Dental Pain

  • Created in Newsletter Library

Can Acupuncture Treat Dental Pain?

It's difficult to focus on anything else when your mouth hurts. Although medication can ease your pain, drowsiness, nausea, and other unpleasant side effects may make it difficult to function while you're under the influence of painkillers. Fortunately, acupuncture offers drug-free relief for several types of oral pain.

How Does Acupuncture Treat Pain?

Acupuncture treatment keeps Qi, the life force necessary for good physical and mental health, flowing freely through your body through a network of meridians. Qi blockages can trigger pain and cause headaches, anxiety, insomnia, gastrointestinal disorders, infertility, and other conditions. Acupuncturist clear blockages by inserting hair-thin needles in your body at strategic locations. In some cases, a gentle electric current will be attached to the needles to enhance the effects of the treatment. Once Qi begins to flow normally, symptoms improve.

If you have dental pain, your acupuncturist may put the needles in your head, neck, ear, arm or leg before or after dental treatments. Acupuncture treatment alters nervous system signals that transmit pain, improves blood flow, decreases muscle spasms, and triggers the release of endorphins and serotonin, your body's natural painkillers.

What Types of Dental Problems Does Acupuncture Help?

Opioid medications are often used to manage pain after wisdom tooth extractions, bone grafts and other types of oral surgery. Although these medications control pain, they can cause nausea, vomiting, and drowsiness and make focusing at work or school difficult. Acupuncture treatment effectively relieves post-procedure pain, allowing you to forego prescription medications entirely or significantly decrease the dosage needed to control your pain.

Acupuncture may also relieve the pain of temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ). TMJ affects the hinge joints on either side of your jaw, causing muscle spasms and chronic pain in your jaw, face, and ears. Pain can worsen when you chew or move your mouth. Your jaw may also lock temporarily when you attempt to open or close your mouth. The treatment reduces spasms and eases pressure on your joints.

The therapy may also be helpful in managing:

  • Orthodontic Adjustment Pain. Periodic adjustments to brace wires are a crucial part of orthodontic treatment if you wear metal or ceramic braces. Unfortunately, pain can be a problem for a day or two after adjustments. Acupuncture treatment offers a simple way to prevent adjustment pain.
  • Gagging. Putty impressions used to create crowns, bridges, and other restorations can trigger the gag reflex in some people, preventing them from restoring damaged or missing teeth. Acupuncture treatment may make impressions less uncomfortable. Patients who participated in an acupuncture study published in the European Journal of General Dentistry were better able to tolerate impressions after acupuncture needles were placed in their ears.
  • Trauma. A blow to the face or an injury caused by an auto accident or fall can injure teeth or the sensitive tissues in the mouth. Acupuncture offers an effective pain relief method if you injure your mouth or teeth.
  • Dry Mouth. Saliva keeps your mouth moist and comfortable and helps wash away cavity-causing plaque. Acupuncture treatment may increase saliva production and reduce uncomfortable dry mouth symptoms.
  • Dental Anxiety. Treatments can also decrease dental anxiety, a condition that may prevent you from receiving the care you need. In a case series published in Acupuncture in Medicine, British researchers examined 21 case reports and discovered that acupuncture had a beneficial effect on anxiety in patients with moderate to severe anxiety. Thanks to acupuncture, you may no longer need to take sedatives before a trip to the dentist.

Are you interested in trying acupuncture to manage your dental pain? Contact us to schedule a consultation.

Sources:

Tufts Now: Acupuncture for Oral Pain, 3/10/16

NCBI: Acupuncture in Medicine: Acupuncture in the Management of Anxiety Related to Dental Treatment: A Case Series, 3/28/10

Dentistry Today: Acupuncture Explored as an Alternative Dental Treatment, 4/5/17

European Journal of General Dentistry: The Role of Acupuncture in the Treatment of Prosthodontic Patients with a Gagging Reflex, 1/18/17

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Testimonials

  • "Earlier this year, I woke up one day with extreme pain in my right shoulder. After a trip to the emergency room and an orthopedic surgeon appointment, it was discovered that I had calcific tendinopathy. The diagnosis was that I would need to be in a shoulder immobilizer for 3-4 months for painful rehab and months of harsh prescription medications. This is when I consulted with Dr. Kari and Kimberley. After the first treatment, I was able to remover the shoulder immobilizer. By the third treatment, I was back at full strength. I owe my ability to enjoy my summer to Juntendo Clinic and recommend Dr. Kari and Kimberly to everyone I speak with."
    C.F.
  • "I came to see Dr. Kari one year ago due to infertility. Dr. Kari used her knowledge and experience to help me have two healthy boys. I also did acupuncture throughout my pregnancy and that helped me stay energized and maintain a healthy pregnancy."
    J.H.
  • "Thank you so very much for treating my lower back pain caused by the sciatica nerve. The pain is completely gone. I would also like to thank you for being so thoughtful and concerned about my health."
    M.J.
  • "Acupuncture has helped me in many ways. No medical treatments helped me get pregnant, but acupuncture helped. Also I am more relaxed. Acupuncture brought light into my life. I got a beautiful daughter and I cannot be more thankful to Dr. Kari."
    Z.B.
  • "I believe acupuncture treatment helped me greatly to have a successful pregnancy. Especially going through a year of treatment."
    M.A.
  • "Helped with headaches, bloating, heartburn, and acupuncture has really helped with morning sickness. I started coming to the clinic in early this year. Dr. Ye has been a god send to me."
    E.P.
  • "Have a lot of confidence in Dr. Ye's knowledge and skills. Would refer others to Juntendo. Office is very clean / hygenic. Staff is professional and people oriented. Dr. Ye is very personable. I am very pleased with Juntendo."
    A.E. / Arlington Heights, IL

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