Loosening of the teeth

The loosening of the teeth from the tooth bed. The teeth are the surplus of the bone (governed by the kidney)and are nourished by the gums. The hand yáng brightness (yáng míng) large intestine channel enters the lower teeth, whereas the foot yáng brightness (yáng míng) stomach channel enters the upper teeth. Loosening of the teeth is related to the kidney and the yáng brightness (yáng míng) channels. Distinction can be made between yáng brightness (yáng míng) heat congestion, kidney yīn vacuity, and kidney qì vacuity patterns. In yáng brightness (yáng míng) patterns, it is accompanied by red swollen or gaping gums, bad breath, constipation, and slippery rapid pulse, red tongue, and yellow-white slightly dry slimy tongue fur. In kidney yīn vacuity, it may gradually give rise to gaping gums and is associated with aching lumbus, dizziness, tinnitus, hair loss, and a fine rapid pulse, a thin shrunken tongue, and a pale red tongue with a thin or scant tongue fur. In kidney qì vacuity, it is associated with aching lumbus, dribble after voiding or urinary incontinence, poor hearing, a sunken fine weak pulse, and a pale red tongue with white fur.

Medicinal therapy: yáng brightness (yáng míng) heat congestion is treated by clearing heat and securing the teeth using Stomach-Clearing Powder (清胃散 qīng wèi sǎn) or Sweet Dew Beverage (甘露饮 gān lù yǐn). Kidney yīn vacuity patterns can be treated by enriching the kidney and securing the teeth with Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Pill (六味地黄丸 liù wèi dì huáng wán) plus drynaria (Drynariae Rhizoma, 骨碎补 gǔ suì bǔ).