13 Ancient Chinese Tooth-Strengthening & Dental Care Prescriptions

1.Su Dongpo’s Tooth-Strengthening Prescription

Pine resin (the best comes from those produced in areas that promote tranquility and stability) is placed in a sparse cloth, boiled in boiling water. Take the part floating on the boiling water surface and put it into cold water (the part that does not float is not used), grind it into a powder, and mix it evenly with white poria powder. Use it daily to rub the teeth and rinse the mouth. It can also be swallowed to strengthen the teeth and preserve youthful appearance.

Source: Qiuchi Biji (Notes from Qiuchi)

2. Shiyan Guchi Prescription

5 pairs of Asian Fossil Shells (calcined over fire, quenched 7 times with rice vinegar, ground into powder), a small amount of Halite and Musk each, ground evenly. After scrubbing the teeth daily, rinse the mouth and swallow with warm wine. It has the effect of strengthening the teeth.

Source: Yuan Yishan’s Prescription

3.Tooth Cleaning Formula

100 grams of salt, 25 grams of almonds. Roast the salt in an iron pan. Soak the almonds in water, then remove their skins and tips. Mash them together into a paste. Use this paste to brush teeth in the morning and evening to strengthen teeth.

Source: Folk proven recipe

4.Clove Tooth-Cleaning Formula

Decoct the juice of Flos Caryophylli (clove) and use it as a mouthwash to clean teeth.

Source: Waitaimiyao (Arcane Essentials from the Imperial Library)

5. Su Dongpo’s Prescription for supports Bleeding from Tooth Gaps

For bleeding from the tooth gaps, take 6 grams each of Ginseng (Ren Shen), Tuckahoe (Red Poria, Chi Fu Ling), and Ophiopogon Root (Mai Men Dong), add 500 milliliters of water, and decoct until 350 milliliters remain. Take it warm before meals, and decoct twice a day (using the same herbs without replacement). It has the effect of stopping bleeding. Su Dongpo obtained this prescription and considered it miraculous.

Source: Tan Yeweng’s Experiential Prescriptions

6. Shepherd’s Purse Formula for Gum Bleeding

For bleeding from the tooth gaps, take 60 grams of fresh shepherd’s purse with roots, wash it, extract the juice, and use it to wipe the teeth. Alternatively, one can directly chew fresh shepherd’s purse.

Source: Folk proven recipe

7. Gum Itching and Pain Almond Formula

For itchy and painful gums, take 100 pieces of almond (with skin and tips removed), 2 grams of salt, add 594 milliliters of water, boil to extract the juice, gargle and spit it out. Noticeable effects can be seen after 3 times.

Source: Qian Jin Fang

8. Formula with Lysimachia foenum-graecum Hance for Tooth Pain

For tooth pain, take the stems and leaves of Lysimachia foenum-graecum Hance, decoct them in water, and use the decoction for gargling.

Source: Puji Fang (The Universal Relief Prescriptions)

9. Ginger Prescription for Tooth Pain

Bake old ginger in an earthenware vessel, mix with dried alum powder and rub it together. For someone with toothache who groans day and night, using this will bring immediate relief.

Source: Puji Fang (Universal Relief Prescriptions)

10. Yuanjiao Formula for Toothache Caused by Wind and Insects

For toothache caused by wind and worms, use red powder of Sichuan pepper (Zanthoxyli Pericarpium), mix it with water and white flour to make pills the size of a black soap bean, burn them until hot and bite on them; the pain will be helps with occasional after several times.

Source: Zonglu

11. Pain from Tooth Decay – Quaquis Fruit Decoction

For toothache due to caries, frequently gargle with a decoction of Quisqualis Fruit (Quisqualis indica L.).

Source: Ji Jian Fang

12. Prescription of Fructus Trichosanthis for Toothache

For toothache, take 2500 grams of coriander seeds (also known as Hu Sui Zi), boil in 5000 milliliters of water to obtain 1000 milliliters of liquid, and use it for gargling. If the toothache is not severe, the dosage of the above medicine can be reduced proportionally while keeping the preparation method unchanged.

Source: Waitai Miyao

13. Prescription of Black Soybean for supports Toothache

For toothache, black beans can be boiled in wine and used for frequent gargling.

Source: Zhou Mi Haoranzhai Shiting Chao

Q1: How to make Su Dongpo’s pine resin tooth-strengthening prescription?

A1: To make Su Dongpo’s pine resin tooth-strengthening prescription, place high-quality pine resin from stable, tranquil areas in a sparse cloth and boil it in water. Collect the floating part, cool it in cold water, grind it into powder, and mix evenly with white poria powder. Use this mixture daily to rub the teeth and rinse the mouth, and it can also be swallowed for enhanced tooth-strengthening benefits.

Q2: What are the 13 ancient Chinese tooth-strengthening prescriptions?

A2: The 13 ancient Chinese tooth-strengthening prescriptions are traditional herbal and mineral formulas recorded in classical texts like the Tang Ben Cao and Su Dongpo’s works. These include recipes using pine resin, white poria, salt, and other natural ingredients designed to strengthen teeth and promote oral health. While the exact list varies, Su Dongpo’s pine resin prescription is a renowned example among these time-honored remedies.

Q3: Can ancient Chinese prescriptions strengthen teeth naturally?

A3: Yes, ancient Chinese prescriptions can strengthen teeth naturally by leveraging herbs and minerals that support enamel integrity and gum health. For instance, Su Dongpo’s pine resin prescription uses pine resin and white poria, which are believed to fortify teeth through regular topical application and ingestion. These natural, holistic methods have been trusted for centuries to maintain dental wellness.

Q4: Why is pine resin used in Su Dongpo’s dental prescription?

A4: Pine resin is used in Su Dongpo’s dental prescription because it is valued for its adhesive and protective properties, which help stabilize teeth and prevent decay. The resin is processed to isolate the pure, floating fraction, which is then combined with white poria powder to create a paste that strengthens teeth. This ingredient is carefully sourced from trees grown in tranquil environments to ensure maximum efficacy.

Q5: What is the role of white poria in Su Dongpo’s tooth-strengthening formula?

A5: White poria serves as a complementary herb in Su Dongpo’s tooth-strengthening formula, as it is traditionally used to support kidney and bone health, which are linked to dental strength in Chinese medicine. Mixed with processed pine resin powder, it creates a balanced preparation that is applied to teeth and gums. The combination is believed to nourish the teeth from both external and internal applications.