What do people in the jungle do when they have a toothache?

Question

I'm sitting here with a really bad toothache and a swollen jaw, and I can't get to the dentist until after the New Year. I'm taking Ibuprofen and lots of hot salty water, so it's bearable.

But it just occurred to me to wonder, given that in the past people could die from tooth problems:-

What do people who live in the jungle or the desert or any of the other inhospitable places on the planet do?

Do they have remedies we don't know about, or perhaps they don't get tooth problems because they have such a natural, unrefined and unprocessed diet.

Answer 1

For your pain there is a acupucnture point located on the hand. I will tried to describe the location. Look at the hand in the same side of the tooth ache.Nails facing you. Look at the Between the index finger and the thumb. Get your thumb close to your hand, the thumb will create a fold, at the end of the fold put preassure with the other hand. A lot of preassure.(get somebody else to do it for you) Yes,, it will hurt but your tooth ache will go away.

Answer 2

I have 2 children and 1 on the way. The absolute worst pain I've ever been in was when I had nerve pain due to a horrible toothache. No joke. A normal toothache, no big deal but I don't think anything could be worse than nerve pain. ETA: I've never gone through labor without an epidural so I can't compare those 2.

Answer 3

Not sure about the jungle, but have you tried calling NHS 24, ok I know it takes an age to get through to someone who can answer your question just take it easy and don't get rattled. There should be an emergency dentist working over the hols in your area. It sounds as though you tooth has abscessed, if this is the case, you need antibiotics before the tooth is pulled, however antibiotics may be enough.
Get hold of an 'on call' dentist NOW.

Answer 4

I believe you're right about their diet. I know that when archeologists find copses/bones/skulls of the ancients they very often have good teeth because they don't eat the refined foods we eat. I'm so sorry to hear about your toothache! Aspirin and Mortin IB have been working wonders for me. If your jaw is swollen you should make a visit to the hospital. Infections from teeth (absess(sp)) could damage your heart amongst other things. Please be careful! Best of luck and I hope you feel better.

Answer 5

They have an elaborate ceremony where the tribe chooses the most worthy tree branch in the jungle. Next, they present it to the jungle doctor. He then uses it to knock the tooth out of the unfortunate patient.

Answer 6

Toothaches are painful but can be prevented
by take suitable precautions. Avoid eating
food which will result in the formation of acid
in the mouth, brush teeth regularly with a fluoride
toothpaste. I found the information at
http://aches.in/preventtoothache.html

Answer 7

They used Oil of cloves, also Clove oil, is an essential oil from the clove plant. It is a natural analgaesic used primarily in dentistry for its active ingredient eugenol. It can also be purchased in pharmacies over the counter, as a local anaesthetic for dental pain relief, mainly toothache; it is also often found in the aromatherapy section of health food stores. The oil produced by cloves can be used in many things from flavouring medicine to remedies for bronchitis, the common cold, a cough, fever, sore throat and tending to infections. Its country of origin is India.

Answer 8

On this documentary I saw about tribes in the Amazon I can swear I saw this man who was supposedly to have had a tooth ache kicked the bad tooth out with a stone. I think the equivalent for that in the modern society would be bringing a screw driver to your tooth and knocking it out with a hammer.

Answer 9

Dental diseases are the bane of urbanisation. If one eats raw food there is no brushing of teeth required. No animal ever needs one.

Answer 10

Yank it out by tying it to a tree then chopping the tree down! Bobs you uncle!