Back in the days of cowboys and the American West, when a tooth got inflamed, people pulled it out – often with pliers. The source of irritation was gone, the abscess drained, and the mouth healed.

But modern dentists will perform a “root canal” – removal of the tooth’s pulp which contains nerve fibers, arteries, veins, lymph vessels, and connective tissue. The dead tooth is left in the mouth. The emptied root cavity is filled, but over time, root canals leak and can be a source of constant “toxic drip” that feeds chronic diseases.

A tooth’s nerve and pulp can become irritated, inflamed, and infected due to deep decay, repeated dental procedures on a tooth such as fillings and crowns, a crack or chip in the tooth, or trauma to the face. When a tooth becomes infected, an abscess often forms. And that is your warning bell – with the abscess, comes pain.

Leeches can be applied to the site of the abscess where they will drain the inflammation. Anticoagulation agents increase blood flow in the gums, helping to eliminate toxins and allow delivery of nutrients to the affected area. The saliva in leeches also contains antibacterial components that assist in reducing bacterial growth.