Homœopathy in
the teething child.
By Alan E. Smith, M. D.
Presented by Sylvain CazaletThe teeth which are
erupted in infancy are known as the milk teeth. These teeth are 20 in
number and are gradually replaced by permanent teeth which number 32.The eruption of the
teeth begins at about the sixth month although some children begin
dentition later. It is usually finished by the second year. Any
condition which interferes with unutrition or any constitutional disease
which disturbs calcium metabolism result in delayed dentition and
eruptions of imperfectly developed perishable teeth.The usual order of
eruption is as follows : At six to eight months, the two lower
central incisors followed one month later by the upper central
incisors ; next the upper lateral incisors and at the end of one
year anterior molars ; at 14 months the lower lateral incisors come
through the gums and then the lower anterior molars. Between 16 and 18
months the canine teeth eruptions and the end of two years the posterior
molars appear. Ordinarily at the end of one year there are six
teeth ; at 18 months there are 12 teeth ; at two years 16
teeth ; and at two and one-half years, the 20 milk teeth should all
have erupted.The eruption of the
permanent teeth begins about the sixth year, the six years molars being
the first to appear. At seven to eight years the incisors erupt ;
at nine to ten years the bicuspids ; at 12 years the canines ;
between the twelfth and fifteenth year the second molars ; and
between the seventeenth and twenty-first year the third molars or wisdom
teeth.Dentition is a purely
physiological process and should run a normal, uneventful course.
Unfortunately, this is not always the case, and there is no doubt that
many infants are unnaturally peevish and uncomfortable and have
derangements of digestion when they are teething.Proper care of the
teeth is a hygienic essential as carious teeth are a serious menace to
health. The milk teeth should be preserved as long as possible for
premature loss interferes with the growth and development of the jaw.In the following
indicated homœopathic remedies there are several which have been used
with great success by the author, namely, Chamomilla,
Calcarea carb., Calcarea phos., and Magnesia phos. While
Belladonna is indicated as a great children’s remedy and has been used
many times in the treatment of children, the author has not used it to
any extent in the treatment of teething troubles. It is the author’s
personal opinion that the Calcarea remedies are of the most value since
they seem to be indicated especially in deficiencies in calcium
metabolism.The author has seen a
number of peevish, irritable, feverish children, with swollen, irritated
gums, some diarrhea and vomiting and evidently in marked pain, who have
responded overnight to the homœopathic use of Calcarea and Calcarea
phos.Listed below are seven
homœopathic remedies with their indication which are of value in the
teething child :
Belladonna.
The great children’s
remedy. There is a hot red skin, flushed face, throbbing carotids,
restless sleep, and convulsive movements. There is violence of attack
and suddenness or onset. The child bores his head into the pillow. The
head is drawn backward and he rolls it from side to side. There is pain
in the ears and the child cries out in sleep. The mouth is dry ;
there is vomiting and diarrhœa. The bowel movement is thin and green,
and there is pain in the abdomen. The skin is dry and hot with moist
axilla.
Chamomilla.
Especially where there
is restlessness, peevishness, and colic. It is contra-indicated where
there is a mild gentle, calm disposition. The child is sensitive,
irritable, thirsty and hot. There is a whining restlessness ; the
child wants many things which he refuses. He means because he cannot
have what he wants. The child must be carried and petted to be quieted.
One cheek is red and hot, the other is pale and gold. There is distress
in teething and there may be distended abdomen, flatulent colic and
green slimy diarrhœa. There is a dry, tickling cough, with a rattling
of mucous in the infant’s chest.
Calcarea Carbonica.
This remedy is
indicated in children who grow fat, with a large belly, a large head,
pale skin, chalky look. They crave eggs, eat dirt and other picatous
things. They are prone to diarrhea. The child is fair, fat, flabby,
perspiring, cold, damp and sour. The fontanels are open, the head is
enlarged and there is much perspiration. There is bleeding of the gums
with difficult and delayed dentition. The craving for indigestible
things includes a desire for chalk, dirt, pencils and coal. Milk
disagrees, causing sour vomiting and eructations. The abdomen is
sensitive to the least pressure. The child is later in learning to walk.
There is diarrhœa of sour, undigested food. There is a dry, troublesome
cough. There is profuse sweating about the head so that the pillow
becomes wet.
Calcarea Phosphorica.
This remedy has many
symptoms in common with Calcarea carb. It is especially indicated in
tardy dentition and in troubles incident to that period. Anemic children
who are peevish, flabby, with cold extremities and feeble digestion. The
fontanels are open too long, the oranial bones are soft and thin.
There-are many complaints during teething ; the teeth develop
slowly and with rapid decay. The infant wants to nurse all the time, and
vomits easily. There is much flatulence and with every attempt to eat,
there is colicky pain in the abdomen. The abdomen is sunken and flabby
with colic and soreness around the-naval. There is diarrhœa during
dentition, with green slimy-undigested food particles.
Magnesia Phosphorica.
This is the great
antispasmodic remedy. It is indicated in teething children, with
swelling of the glands of the face, throat and neck. There are spasms
without febrile symptoms. There is thirst for cold drinks. There is
flatulent colic relieved by rubbing, warmth and pressure. Belching gives
no relief.
Cina.
This children’s remedy
is indicated in big, fat, rosy children corresponding to many conditions
that may be referred to intestinal irritation, such as worms. There is
an irritability of temper with variable appetite, grinding of the teeth,
convulsions, screams and violet jerkings. The child is hungry cross and
ugly, and wants to be rocked. There is itching of the nose, and he wants
to pick and rub it. The face is pale and hot, with a bluish ring around
the face and mouth. The child grits the teeth during sleep. There is
vomiting and diarrhœa, immediately after eating or drinking. There is
craving for sweets. There is a spasmodic cough, and the child is afraid
to speak or move for fear of the paroxysm of coughing.
Kreosotum.
Useful in the
overgrown, poorly developed child, with very painful dentition. There is
very rapid decay of the teeth. The child sleeps poorly, and there is
offensive diarrhœa, dark brown or bloody in color.Alan E. Smith, M. D.,
Philadelphia, P. A.
Source :
Journal of the American
Institute of Homœopathy, Dec. 1947.Copyright © Sylvain
Cazalet 2001