Can Feng You Jing (Wind Oil Essence) treat toothache?

　　Toothache is one of the most common symptoms associated with various oral disorders. Numerous factors can cause toothache, the most frequent being dental caries, pulpitis, or apical periodontitis. Other potential causes include “excess internal heat” (a traditional Chinese medicine concept) and improper diet. Toothaches resulting from different underlying causes often present with distinct clinical features. So, can mentholated oil (Feng You Jing) relieve toothache?

　　Can Mentholated Oil (Feng You Jing) Treat Toothache?

　　Mentholated oil is ineffective for treating toothache. When used appropriately, mentholated oil helps eliminate body odor and effectively relieves pruritus or stinging pain. Additionally, applying it to the temples may help prevent heatstroke and the common cold. However, current evidence shows that mentholated oil neither treats nor alleviates toothache. If you experience toothache, promptly visit a dental clinic for professional evaluation and receive targeted, condition-specific treatment. For instance, if the toothache stems from dental caries or dental pulp inflammation, restorative treatment and root canal therapy (pulp extirpation) may be required. If the pain results from pericoronitis around an impacted wisdom tooth, localized symptomatic treatment is necessary, followed by surgical extraction of the wisdom tooth at an appropriate time. Since mentholated oil offers no therapeutic benefit for toothache—neither curative nor palliative—it should not be used when experiencing dental pain. To identify the most suitable treatment approach, timely consultation with a dentist is essential.

　　Patients with toothache should follow a bland, mild diet and avoid excessively spicy or irritating foods—such as chili peppers, hotpot, barbecued dishes, and fried foods. They should also avoid consuming foods or beverages that are extremely hot or cold, especially if they have heightened dental sensitivity. Extreme temperatures may trigger or exacerbate pain; therefore, such foods should be avoided. Instead, patients should consume items at moderate temperatures that are unlikely to provoke discomfort. Importantly, individuals experiencing toothache must consult a dentist, as numerous conditions can cause dental pain—and only accurate diagnosis and etiology-specific management can effectively resolve it.

　　When toothache occurs, prompt medical or dental attention is crucial to prevent worsening of the condition. We hope this information has been helpful to you.