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Mangu Yin (Cold Syndrome, Item 10) Jiajian Bawei Wan (Tonification, Item 122) Huangqin Tang from *Zhizhi Fang* (Cold Syndrome, Item 173; targeting Heart and Lung Heat) Various formulas for treating throat diseases (see detailed etiology and syndrome differentiation, Items 175-201).

The *Shanggu Tianzhen Lun* states: At the age of seven, a girl's Kidney Qi becomes abundant, her teeth change, and her hair grows. At twenty-one (three times seven), her Kidney Qi is balanced and average, so wisdom teeth emerge and growth reaches its peak. At the age of eight, a boy's Kidney Qi is solid, his hair grows, and his teeth change. At twenty-four (three times eight), his Kidney Qi is balanced and average, sinews and bones become strong, so wisdom teeth emerge and growth reaches its peak. At forty (five times eight), his Kidney Qi begins to decline, hair falls out, and teeth wither. At sixty-four (eight times eight), teeth and hair fall out.

The *Xieke Pian* states: Heaven has constellations, humans have teeth.

In the *Wuwei Lun*, the Yellow Emperor asked: Bitter flavor enters the bones. Why does excessive consumption of bitter substances cause vomiting? Shaoyu replied: Bitter flavor enters the Stomach. The Qi of the five grains cannot overcome the bitterness. When bitter flavor enters the lower epigastrium, the pathways of the Sanjiao (Triple Burner) become closed and obstructed, thus causing vomiting. Teeth are the culmination of the bones; therefore, bitter flavor enters and travels to the bones. Because it enters and then exits (vomits), we know that bitter flavor travels to the bones.

The *Jingmai Pian* states: The branch of the Hand-Yangming Large Intestine Meridian ascends from the Clavicle (Quepen), passes through the neck and cheek, and enters the lower teeth. The Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian descends along the lateral side of the nose, enters the upper teeth, emerges, circles the lips, and intersects at Chengjiang below the chin.

The *Hanre Bing Pian* states: There is an acupoint on the Arm-Yangming meridian entering the area surrounding the teeth, named Daying. For lower tooth decay/pain, this point is selected. If the arm feels cold, tonify this point; if not cold, sedate it. There is an acupoint on the Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian entering the area surrounding the teeth, named Jiaosun. For upper tooth decay/pain, this point is selected, located anterior to the nose and zygoma. At the onset of the disease, the pulse is full/excessive; if full, sedate it; if deficient, tonify it. In Bone Cold-Heat syndrome, the patient finds no comfort in any position, and sweat pours down incessantly. If the teeth have not yet withered, treat by selecting the collateral points of the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian on the medial thigh. If the teeth have already withered, it is a death case and incurable. The same applies to Bone Jue (Reversal) syndrome.

The *Zabing Pian* states: For toothache, if the patient does not fear cold drinks, select points on the Foot-Yangming Meridian. If the patient fears cold drinks, select points on the Hand-Yangming Meridian.

There are three main syndromes for dental diseases: Fire, Worms, and Kidney Deficiency. The treatments for these three differ significantly. Once the true nature is identified, there are no incurable dental diseases. For Fire syndromes, the pathology is always within the gingival muscles. Symptoms may include swelling and pain, erosion, foul odor and tooth loss, or continuous bleeding from gum spaces. These indicate pathology in the meridians. The upper teeth belong to the Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian and remain still. The lower teeth belong to the Hand-Yangming Large Intestine Meridian and move during mastication. Such diseases are caused by excessive consumption of rich wine, heavy flavors, and greasy/sweet foods, leading to damp-heat accumulation in the intestines and stomach, which then rises and congests the meridians. Treatment should focus on avoiding rich flavors and clearing Fire pathogens. For Worm-induced pain, the pathology is in the teeth themselves, not the meridians. It is also caused by damp-heat from rich foods transforming into "tooth worms" that corrode and hollow out the teeth, causing pain due to dental decay. Treatment should focus on eliminating worms. If damp-heat is severe, clear Stomach Fire concurrently. For Kidney Deficiency-induced dental disease, the pathology is in the Zang organs, not the meridians. Since teeth are the culmination of bones, and bones are governed by the Kidneys, it is said: "When Kidney Qi declines, teeth become loose and sparse; when Essence is secure, teeth are firm." Pathologically, teeth may be fragile, easily mobile, sparse, or protruding but insubstantial. Any dental disease not caused by worms or fire is necessarily due to insufficient Kidney Qi. This may result from congenital deficiency or postnatal depletion. Treatment should focus exclusively on tonifying Kidney Qi.

First, external trauma to teeth—such as blows, falls, or forcing teeth to chew hard objects—will inevitably damage them over time. This is not something medicine can cure; the wise will exercise caution.

Second, Method for Strengthening Teeth: Ancient texts mention knocking teeth together morning and night. While feasible, the vibration is not ideal. I often feel a sense of tooth looseness after fatigue or alcohol consumption. In such cases, gently bite firmly, ensuring gradual alignment. Doing this once or twice, or two to three times daily, will naturally stabilize the roots. Additionally, before urinating, one should clench the teeth firmly first. This helps the Kidney Qi to grasp and secure, benefiting both Jing (Essence) retention and tooth firmness. Thus, having passed seventy, my teeth remain undamaged, largely due to these two methods.

Third, the *Jindan Quanshu* states: Modern people brush their teeth in the morning, which is putting the cart before the horse. Toxins from food and drink accumulate in the gum spaces throughout the day. Brushing at night removes all filth, preventing dental decay. Therefore, "night brushing is superior to morning brushing"; this is the way of those who wisely nurture their teeth. Observing prudent individuals, they rinse their mouths after every meal, resulting in teeth remaining white and firm until old age. This demonstrates the efficacy of preservation and nurturing.