Toothache · Wind-Heat Pattern
Updated: June 23, 2026
Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM
Reading Time: 7 min
Body Area: Head
Pattern Overview
Wind-Heat is a pattern in toothache, characterized by acute gingival inflammation, tooth pain, gum redness, fever, and sore throat. The core pathogenesis is invasion of Wind-Heat pathogens into the Stomach meridian, causing gingival inflammation, increased vascular permeability, and tooth pain.
Key Symptoms and Differentiation Points
| Differentiation Dimension | Manifestations |
|---|---|
| Primary Symptoms | Tooth pain, gum redness, fever, sore throat |
| Associated Symptoms | Thirst, headache, red eyes, irritability |
| Tongue and Pulse | Red tongue with thin yellow coating, floating and rapid pulse |
| Pathogenesis | Wind-Heat pathogens invading the Stomach meridian |
| Etiology | Wind-Heat infection, spicy food intake, viral or bacterial infection |
Acupuncture Point Prescription
| Point | Location | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Hegu (LI4) | Dorsum of the hand, between the 1st and 2nd metacarpals | Disperses Wind-Heat and relieves tooth pain |
| Quchi (LI11) | Lateral end of the elbow crease | Clears Heat and detoxifies |
| Jiache (ST6) | In the depression on the lower border of the zygomatic arch, about 1 cun anterior to the angle of the mandible | Local point for toothache and jaw pain |
| Fengchi (GB20) | Depression below the occipital bone, between the sternocleidomastoid and trapezius | Disperses Wind and clears Heat |
| Waiguan (TE5) | 2 cun above the wrist crease, dorsal side | Unblocks the Triple Energizer meridian; treats headache and toothache |
Clinical Recommendation: Filament needle, reducing method; may combine with pricking at Quchi to enhance Heat clearing.
Herbal Formula
Base Formula: Yin Qiao San (银翘散)
Composition:
Lonicera (Jin Yin Hua), Forsythia (Lian Qiao), Mint (Bo He), Arctium (Niu Bang Zi), Schizonepeta (Jing Jie), Fermented Soybean (Dan Dou Chi), Reed Rhizome (Lu Gen), Licorice (Gan Cao)
Action: Disperses Wind-Heat, clears the exterior, and relieves toothache.
Modifications
| Associated Symptoms | Additions/Subtractions |
|---|---|
| Gum redness | Add Jin Yin Hua, Lian Qiao to clear Heat and detoxify |
| Fever | Add Shi Gao, Zhi Mu to clear Heat and generate fluids |
| Sore throat | Add Ban Lan Gen, Xuan Shen to clear Heat and relieve sore throat |
| Thirst | Add Tian Hua Fen, Ge Gen to generate fluids |
Western Mechanism Reference
Acute gingival inflammation with histamine release, increased vascular permeability, and tissue edema. Wind-Heat corresponds to acute gingival inflammation or periodontal abscess, where histamine release and increased vascular permeability contribute to gum redness and tooth pain.
References
- Stomatology of TCM - Toothache with Wind-Heat.
- Zang-Fu Pattern Differentiation: Wind-Heat → Clearing Pathway.
- WHO. (2023). Oral health. World Health Organization.
Explore More
- Find your solution at MendGod.com – Personalized herbal protocols and acupressure tools for dental health.
- Deepen your knowledge at TcmCIO.com – Full research papers and clinical case studies on TCM stomatology.