Fact Check: Can Shitkari Pranayam Cure Toothache?

A reel posted on Instagram states that Shitkari Pranayam can cure toothache. The claim made by the user is FALSE.

Claim

There is an Instagram post that claims that "Cure toothache by Shitkari pranayam.". In the post, the user dr_kanta_aggarwal states "If you have a toothache, we can cure your toothache without medicines." She goes on to add that we can relieve toothache by doing just one pranayam. "The name of this pranayama is shitkari pranayam. In this, we inhale through the mouth through the teeth and exhale slowly through the nose," she states. She then goes on to demonstrate how to perform this pranayam. She ends by stating that if you do this twice a day, you will soon start seeing results.

The post can be accessed here

Fact check

This claim is False. Shitkari pranayama may help reduce anxiety and bring the mind to a calm and peaceful state but there is no evidence to support that it can cure toothache.

Understanding Toothache and its various causes

Toothache or Odontogenic pain refers to pain initiating from the teeth or their supporting structures, the mucosa, gingivae, maxilla, mandible or periodontal membrane.

Toothache can present in several different ways and is caused by inflammation of the dental pulp due to dental caries (tooth decay), dentine sensitivity to cold, sweet or physical stimulus, apical periodontitis, dental abscess, iatrogenic pain after dental treatment, bruxism(grinding of teeth) severe aching pain following dental treatment such as root canal therapy, apicectomy. 

Types Of Toothache

Toothache is usually acute, unilateral and localised within the mouth. If there is inflammation to pulp, dental pain could be sharp, shooting pain to cold, hot or osmotic stimulus lasting seconds to minutes. If this pulpal inflammation progresses leading to irreversible pulpitis, dental pain could be dull, throbbing or poorly localised. The vital tooth with cracks and loose fillings presents sharp pain with short duration. Dull throbbing pain occurs in the tooth with an infected root canal system and when there is inflamed periodontium around the root apex. The tooth with dental abscess presents with a rapid onset of spontaneous pain.

Management of toothache

In primary care, toothache management depends on the cause, symptoms and severity of the toothache. When experiencing a toothache consult a dentist for the assessment of the root cause of the pain. Management of odontogenic pain includes relief of symptoms. Analgesia such as paracetamol and NSAIDs is preferred. Antibiotics are indicated if clinical evidence of local or systemic spread of dental infection is present. If having an infected root canal system, should be referred for root canal treatment or extraction of the respected tooth. 

What is Shitkari Pranayam ?

Yogic breathing exercises are known as Pranayamas and are considered a form of meditation in itself, as well as a preparation for deep meditation. They promote physical well-being and self-awareness, improve lung and cognitive capacities, and reduce blood pressure, anxiety, and other psychosomatic patterns, probably by increasing the parasympathetic tone. 

There are different types of pranayama one of which is Sheetkari pranayama which is practiced by inhaling air through the sides of the mouth through closed teeth. 

This pranayama is performed by first sitting in any comfortable meditative posture, keeping the back straight and both hands on the knees. Then the tip of the tongue is touched with the hard palate. In this position, the upper and lower rows of teeth are joined and the air is drawn in through the mouth making a seething sound (‘sit’). After inhalation air is exhaled through both nostrils.

Several benefits are there of these breathing excercises as well as yoga.An article published in the International Journal of Preventive Medicine highlighted several health benefits of yoga and pranayam including Cardiorespiratory efficiency, cardiorespiratory performance and psychological profile.

Can Shitkari Pranayam cure teeth pain?

Many studies have been done on Shitkari Pranayam and found its role and health benefits in several conditions such as hypertension, cardiorespiratory performance, as well as anxiety. However, no study could find its benefit in curing toothache

Many scientific studies have highlighted benefits of Shitkari Pranayam.  A study by Prashant Shetty et. al. found that Shitkari pranayama is effective in lowering systolic blood pressure in individuals with hypertension.

Another Research published in the Journal of Complementary Research suggests that Shitkari Pranayam helps to combat heat stress by preserving body fluid and better controlling the thirst sensation.

Yet another study by J. Thanalakshmi et. al. highlighted that the shitkari pranayama practice brings a cooling effect on the body and also it brings the mind to a peaceful and calm state and reduces anxiety.

In a study titled "Secondary Effects of Yoga and Pranayama in Dentistry: A Narrative Review" published in  the Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research, noted that Yoga and pranayama help in the maintenance of oral hygiene, reduction of gingival inflammation, and prevention of dental diseases. Yoga and pranayama help us with our day-to-day muscular discomfort and pain. The study noted 

pranayam may offer several benefits to alleviate dental or oral soft tissue disorders like Aphthous ulcers, Myofascial Pain Dysfunction Syndrome (MPDS), oral lichen planus, xerostomia, bruxism, and burning mouth syndrome, which are linked to stress. However, even this study did not support that pranayam could "cure" dental pain

Responding to the claim Dr. Bhumika Gupta Dani, Dental Surgeon, Dani Dental Clinic, Kawardha, Chhattisgarh said, "As a dentist, I often get questions about alternative remedies like pranayam or certain yoga practices for toothache relief. While shitkari pranayam technique may be great for calming the mind and reducing stress, it's important to understand that it won’t cure a toothache. Tooth pain typically arises from dental problems such as cavities, infections, or gum disease, which require professional care, such as fillings, root canals, or the use of antibiotics. Ignoring the problem and hoping that breathing exercises alone will fix it can actually make things worse. However, Shitkari pranayam can still be helpful as a way to manage discomfort and anxiety while you’re dealing with tooth pain. It can make you feel more relaxed, but it's not going to address the root cause of the pain."

 Adding to this Dr. Twinkale Parekh, Orthodontist, Sanjeevani Multispeciality Clinic, Kanika New Colony, Cuttak, told Medical Dialogues that “ It's important to clarify that while pranayama like Shitkari Pranayam may have calming effects, can help you relax and manage stress, it won't actually cure a toothache. Tooth pain is usually caused by issues like cavities, infections, or gum disease, which require professional treatment such as fillings, root canals, or medications. Ignoring the pain and relying solely on breathing exercises could make the problem worse over time. If you're dealing with persistent tooth pain, it's always best to see a dentist to get to the root of the problem.

Medical Dialogues Final Take

While Shitkari pranayama may help to relax and calm the mind, reduce anxiety, help reduce blood pressure and combat heat stress, toothache or dental pain is a symptom that can only be resolved by treating its underlying cause which may be dental caries, dental sensitivity, dental abscess, apical periodontitis and many more. Shitkari pranayama may help reduce the stress associated with dental pain but it cannot cure the toothache. Hence This claim is false