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The *Zhubing Yuanhou Lun* (Treatise on the Pathogenesis and Manifestations of All Diseases) states: The meridian of Hand-Yangming enters the teeth. The meridian of Foot-Taiyang has branches entering the cheek and spreading over the teeth. If the meridians are deficient, wind-evil may invade them.

The *Yangsheng Fang* (Prescriptions for Nourishing Life) states: Brushing one's teeth morning and evening prevents dental caries.

It further states: One must rinse the mouth several times after eating; otherwise, it will cause dental caries.

The *Shanfan Fang* records a prescription for treating toothache:
Shu Jiao (Sichuan Pepper, *Zanthoxyli Fructus*) (1 liang), Fan Shi (Alum, *Alumen*) (0.5 liang), Guixin (Cinnamon Twig Heart, *Cinnamomi Ramulus*) (1 liang; another version uses equal parts).
These three ingredients are boiled in 3 sheng of water until 1.5 sheng remains. Rinse the mouth carefully with this decoction and spit it out. (Modern note: The *Fan Wang Fang* substitutes Shu Jiao with Xixin / Asarum, *Asari Radix et Rhizoma*.)

The *Ge Shi Fang* records a prescription for dental caries: Moxibustion at 3 cun lateral to the external malleolus on the right side; apply 7 moxa cones depending on whether the painful tooth is on the left or right.

Another prescription: Place Ji She Xiang (Cloves, *Eugeniae Flos*) on the decayed tooth and bite down on it.

Yet another prescription: Take branches of plum trees, peel off the inner white bark (about one handful), boil in a small amount of water for ten boils. Let it cool slightly and hold it in the mouth. Within three applications, worms measuring six or seven fen in length will be expelled.

Yet another prescription: Make a bamboo needle, face it eastward, and nail it to a pillar. First recite an incantation: "In winter there is much wind and cold, in summer there is much warmth and heat. So-and-so suffers from dental caries. The Seven Stars and Big Dipper shine..." (Text here is corrupted/incomplete).

The *Qianjin Fang* (Essential Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold) records a prescription for dental caries: Boil 1 sheng of strong vinegar with 1 sheng of the white bark of Goji (*Lycii Cortex*), take 0.5 sheng and hold it in the mouth; the worms will emerge.

Another prescription: Chop 1 sheng of Bai Yang Ye (White Poplar Leaf, *Popri albae Folium*), boil in 3 sheng of water until 1 sheng remains, and hold in the mouth.

It also states a prescription for when a tooth has a cavity and swelling occurs upon eating noodles/flour products:
Mang Cao (Seven leaves of *Dichroa febrifuga*), Zhu Jiao Fu Gen Pi (Root bark of *Schisandra propinqua*, approx. 4 cun long, 7 pieces).
These two ingredients are boiled in 2 sheng of rice vinegar until 1 sheng remains. When the temperature is suitable, fill the mouth with it and then spit it out.

The *Fan Wang Fang* records a prescription for dental caries: If there is a cavity, take a piece of fine iron sized to fit the cavity, bend the tip, heat it red-hot, and insert it into the cavity. After no more than four or five applications... (Text here is incomplete).

The *Lu Yan Fang* records a prescription for dental caries: Take thin branches of weeping willow, remove the outer bark to obtain the green inner bark, roll it into a size similar to a plum pit; chew it in the mouth to extract juice and soak the roots of the teeth.

The *Yi Men Fang* records a prescription for dental caries: Shape pine resin (*Pini Resina*) into a pointed tip and inject it into the cavity; the worm will emerge.

Another prescription: Chew Rushen Xiang (Frankincense, *Boswelliae Resina*) and swallow the juice; recovery will be immediate.

The *Duan Ju Fang* records a prescription for treating "sweet worms" gnawing at the tooth roots: Place Fulonggan (Dragon's Blood/Stove Earth, *Fulung Gan*) on a stone, add a pinch of salt, wait until it turns into water, use [something] to dip and take it, wait until it thickens and coagulates, then take... (Text here is incomplete/corrupted).

Another prescription: Apply peeled Gao Jia (Soap Pod, *Gleditsiae Sinensis Fructus*) topically; the worms will emerge.

It also states a prescription for treating toothache:
Fu Ji Zhen (Rotten Thorn Needles, 200 pieces, specifically thorns from jujube trees that have fallen due to rotting).
This single ingredient is crushed, boiled in 2 sheng of water until 1 sheng remains, used for rinsing the mouth and spitting out; cure follows immediately.