Antodontalgic

/ˌæntədonˈtældʒɪk/ adjective

Definition

Effective in relieving or treating toothache pain; relating to pain relief for dental problems.

Etymology

From anti- (against) + odont- (tooth, from Greek odous) + -algic (from Greek algos meaning pain). This medical term combines elements to describe anti-toothache medicine.

Kelly Says

Before modern dentistry, people chewed clove, willow bark, and other antodontalgic plants—clove oil actually works because of a compound called eugenol that numbs nerves, making it one of the oldest pain medications we still use.

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