Teeth and Organs
Teeth and organs are connected via meridians, also known as energetic pathways. If teeth have dental problems, the corresponding organs can also be affected, which can lead to various health problems. Meridian theory is based on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and is an essential part of holistic dentistry. In this article, we would like to explain the relationship between teeth and organs.
Teeth and Organs - Connections
The teeth come into contact with one another many times a day due to chewing and functioning of the craniomandibular muscles. Every tooth contact activates and stimulates the meridian which flows through its connecting teeth. A healthy tooth with an anatomically correct shape and physiological, punctiform tooth contacts stimulates the meridian in a positive way. There is no blockage or overstimulation of the meridian.
A diseased or dead tooth with an inflamed tooth root blocks the meridian, which causes illness of the other organs which the meridian flows through. If a tooth is missing, the meridian can also suffer as there is no tooth contact and thus no positive activation or stimulation of that meridian.
It is therefore very important to have only healthy teeth or a neutral dental prosthesis, such as ceramic implants, to ensure positive stimulation of the meridians.
With the use of electro-acupuncture, both the teeth and the corresponding meridian can be measured. It can be distinguished whether a tooth is energetically healthy (normally stimulated) or unhealthy (overactively stimulated or under stimulated). The same can be done for the meridian, which are measured through the hand and feet.
Med. dent. Ky-Lie Tan
The relationship between teeth and the corresponding meridians should be taken into account, especially in the case of chronic diseases. We will be happy to assist you in a holistic consultation.
Dental Diseases with an Influence on the Meridians
There are some situations or diseases of the teeth that have an influence on the meridians.
The most important dental conditions that can have an effect on the organs are listed below:
- Tooth decay: decay can damage the tooth and cause inflammation at the tip of the root
- Periodontitis: This disease of the periodontium can also cause the meridians to become impaired.
- Jaw inflammation: Inflammation in the jaw can negatively affect the corresponding meridians.
- Functionally incorrect tooth moulds: Teeth that do not have anatomically correct shapes can negatively affect the meridians and lead to craniomandibular dysfunction (CMD). Read more in the article: Biofunctional Dentistry.
- Tilted and outgrown teeth: Teeth that tilt or grow out after tooth loss can lead to functional disorders, overstimulating the teethmeridian and also negatively affecting the organ meridians.
- Missing teeth: A missing tooth is no longer able to stimulate the meridian.
- Peri-implantitis: An inflammation of the dental implant can impair the teeth and its meridian.
- Titanium implants, metal crowns and amalgam fillings can block or overstimulate the teethmeridian, which in turn can disturb the organ meridians.
Tooth-Organ Relationship - Which Tooth is Connected to which Organ?
As mentioned above, teeth can be assigned to different organs.
In traditional folk medicine, the upper canine tooth is often called the “eye tooth,” while the lower wisdom tooth is known as the “ear tooth.” Interestingly, each tooth is connected to various organs, and most organs are influenced by multiple teeth. A tooth on the right side is more likely to affect the right side of the body, while a tooth on the left side is more likely to affect the left side of the body.
- Upper front teeth (teeth 12, 11, 21, 22): Kidney, bladder, sexual organs, pineal gland (important for sleep-wake rhythm), odor
- Upper canines (tooth 13, 23): Liver, gall bladder, eyes
- Upper premolars (small molars, 15, 14, 24, 25): Lungs, stomach, odor
- Upper molars (large molars, 17, 16, 26, 27): Pancreas, large intestine, thyroid gland, taste
- Upper wisdom teeth (tooth 18, 28): Small intestine (often allergies), heart, hearing
- Lower front teeth (tooth 32, 31, 41, 42): Kidney, bladder, reproductive organs, odor
- Lower canines (tooth 33, 43): Liver, gall bladder, eyes
- Lower premolars (small molars, 35, 34, 44, 45): Pancreas, stomach, taste
- Lower molars (large molars, 37, 36, 46, 47): Lungs, large intestine, odor
- Lower wisdom teeth (tooth 38, 48): Small intestine (often allergies), heart, hearing
FAQ on teeth and organs
We often receive questions about “teeth and organs”, so we answer them here.
In traditional folk medicine, the upper canine tooth is often referred to as the “tooth of the eye,” and the lower wisdom tooth as the “tooth of the ear.” However, each tooth is connected to various organs, and most organs are influenced by several teeth. The specific correlation between teeth and organs can be found in the following section.
Further information
Here, you can find additional information on the topic to gain a deeper insight.