Raw Material of the Month - Eugenol - and Dental Phobia

To Erik Kormann:

3d molecular structure model by Karlhahn

Chemical Structure

Eugenol (C₁₀H₁₂O₂), is an allyl chain-substituted guaiacol.

Eugenol is a member of the phenylpropanoids class of chemical compounds.

It is a clear to pale yellow oily liquid.Extracted from certain essential oils especially from clove oil, nutmeg, cinnamon, and bay leaf. It is slightly soluble in water and soluble in organic solvents. It has a pleasant, spicy, clove-like aroma. The name comes from a scientific name for the cloves Eugenia aromaticum or Eugenia caryophyllata.

Dental Phobia X Eugenol

Studies indicate that odors may form strong connections with memories, especially those charged with emotional significance. In the dental field, this could be the case with the odorant eugenol, responsible for the typical clinging odor impregnating the dental office. The odor of eugenol could evoke memories of unpleasant dental experiences and, therefore, negative feelings such as anxiety and fear, since eugenates (cements containing eugenol) are used in potentially painful restorative dentistry. So, if you are a person who experienced having cavities (tooth decay, caries), you know what I am talking about: Anesthetics and drills.

The use of the drill, in addition to the sight of the anesthetic needle represent the greatest sources of fear and anxiety in dental treatments.

So probably if you ate a lot of chocolates and candy when you were little and had to pay these kind of visits to the dentist, I wouldn't be surprised if you will experience negative emotions (fear, anger, disgust) when having contact with this particular odorant. Next time you want to check if this theory works, look for fragrance with clove notes. Once you found it, whiff it and sniff it! And than, Let me know how you felt!

I love the scent of cloves. My memories of cloves are related to delicious cookies, Sangrias, Brazilian pumpkin desserts, Indian cuisine, etc...

When used in with parsimony brings to the accord a delicious sweet spicy scent.

They enhance the originality and the character of a fragrance.

Fidji by Guy Laroche was my mom's perfume when I was very little, 4 yrs. old if I am not mistaken. It had cloves. It was delicious, not terrifying.

Coco by Chanel, Paloma Picasso, Mitsouko, Armani Mania, Jolie Madame by Belmain and A la Nuit by Serge Lutens, Polo by Ralph Lauren, Safari for Men by RL, Mensonge by Fragonard - all contain clove notes.

Now prepare yourself to love or to fear. If you didn't like any of them, you were your dentist's best client for sure!