Root canals are common dental procedures done to save badly damaged or infected teeth. During a root canal, the nerve and pulp of the tooth are removed and the inside of the tooth is cleaned and sealed. While root canals are extremely common, with over 15 million done every year in the U.S. alone, there is growing concern that root canals may cause more harm than good in the long run.
What is a root canal?
Root canals are procedures done when the inner soft tissue of the tooth, called the pulp, becomes inflamed or infected. The pulp contains nerves, blood vessels and connective tissue that help the tooth grow and develop. It extends from the crown of the tooth down through the roots. Some common causes of pulp inflammation and infection include:
- Deep decay
- Repeated dental procedures
- Cracks or chips in the teeth
- Trauma to the tooth, such as a blow to the mouth
When the pulp becomes infected, bacteria can multiply quickly. This can lead to an abscess at the tip of the root. Abscesses cause severe toothache pain and need to be treated promptly. If left too long, an abscess can damage the bone around the teeth.
During a root canal, the dentist will remove the infected or inflamed pulp. The empty root canal is then cleaned, shaped and sealed with a rubber-like material called gutta percha. A crown is placed on the tooth to protect it.
Are root canals safe?
Root canals have generally been considered safe and effective procedures. However, there is a growing body of evidence that suggests root canals may have serious downsides:
- Root canals can harbor bacteria – Even when a root canal is done perfectly, the empty canal may still contain bacteria. The structure of the root makes it impossible to completely sterilize once infected. Residual bacteria can multiply and leak out through microscopic tubules in the roots.
- Bacteria can spread to other teeth – The periodontal ligaments connect the root tips to the bone. Bacteria can travel through these ligaments from the infected root canal to other teeth. This can lead to chronic infection of the jawbone.
- Root canal teeth may leak toxins –Root canal treated teeth may leak potent toxins from bacteria that continue to thrive in the pulp chamber. These toxins include pathogenic microbes and their toxic byproducts.
One study found that teeth after root canal therapy leaked significantly more lipopolysaccharide (LPS) endotoxin than vital teeth. LPS is a toxin released from gram-negative bacteria, which can trigger inflammation and disease.
Root canals may increase infection risk
Teeth are living tissues, connected to the bloodstream and lymphatic system. They have a tremendous impact on overall health. Compromising this vital system can open the door to chronic inflammation and more serious disease states.
Research shows that infection from root canals may play a role in the development of several systemic diseases, including:
- Cardiovascular disease – Oral bacteria from root canals may enter the bloodstream and attach to plaque in arteries. This accelerates inflammation and hardening of the arteries.
- Mental health conditions – Toxins from infected root canals may trigger inflammation in the brain. This is linked to brain fog, anxiety, depression and other mental health issues.
- Autoimmune diseases –Bacteria and toxins from root canals can stimulate a chronic inflammatory immune response. This may contribute to arthritis, lupus, thyroid disease and other autoimmunity.
- Neurodegenerative diseases –Oral bacteria can travel to the liver and brain where they are linked to neuroinflammation. This may raise risk for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and Multiple Sclerosis.
One study found that exposing mice to extracts from root canal teeth caused brain inflammation and amyloid-beta aggregation, one of the hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease. Additional research confirms the ability of oral bacteria to migrate and contribute to brain inflammation.
Root canals may increase cancer risk
There is also some evidence that infected root canals may be associated with increased cancer risk. The theory is that chronic inflammation from the infected tooth provides a breeding ground for cancer growth and metastasis. Some research links root canals to increased risk of:
- Breast cancer
- Lung cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
One large study followed over 5,000 participants for 26 years. Women with root canals were significantly more likely to develop breast cancer. Each root canal was associated with an increased cumulative breast cancer risk of 11%.
The connection between root canals and other diseases is still being studied. However, evidence strongly suggests that root canal treatments may provide a lowered immune status and chronic inflammatory state that contributes to disease development.
Root canals may fail over time
While root canals are often necessary procedures to save severely infected teeth, they were never meant to be permanent solutions. In fact, research shows that a high percentage of root canal treatments will fail over time:
- Up to 58% will develop radiolucency, a sign of degeneration, within 7-10 years.
- Up to 30% may have residual or recurrent infection.
- Up to 19% may require retreatment of the root canal.
Teeth with failed root canals may become painful. They also pose health risks as they continue to harbor bacteria that can leak out into surrounding tissues. Failed root canals often need to be extracted and replaced with a bridge or implant.
Holistic dentists choose alternatives to root canals
While root canals are practiced widely across the dental industry, a growing number of dentists are moving away from root canals and choosing more conservative options. These holistic or biological dentists believe root canals pose too great a health risk.
Rather than immediately doing a root canal, they aim to preserve the vitality and function of the tooth. Some alternative procedures include:
- Pulp capping – Medications are used to encourage healing and regeneration of the pulpal tissues.
- Partial/Cove pulpotomy – Only a portion of the tooth pulp is removed to stimulate healing.
- Biosilicate – A high purity glass material with antibacterial properties to promote pulp repair.
- Ozone therapy – Ozone gas is pumped into the tooth to kill bacteria and accelerate healing.
These treatments aim to maintain pulp vitality and avoid the risks and failures associated with root canal therapy. However, most dental insurance plans still favor root canals as the first-line standard of care.
Nutrition may help avoid root canals
Prevention is the best medicine when it comes to dental health. Some ways to boost nutrition to avoid root canals include:
- Eliminate sugar and processed foods – Excess sugar feeds the bacteria that cause cavities and tooth decay.
- Eat more greens and vegetables – These are rich in vitamins and minerals that promote oral health.
- Up protein intake – Protein foods contain phosphorus for re-mineralization of tooth enamel.
- Increase healthy fats –Omega-3 fats help reduce gum inflammation.
- Take key supplements – Vitamins D3, K2, A, calcium, magnesium, coQ10 and zinc support dental health.
A nutrient-rich diet helps teeth resist decay and infections that may eventually require a root canal procedure.
Conclusion
Root canals are done when the soft inner pulp of a tooth becomes inflamed or infected. During this common procedure, the nerve and pulp are removed and the inside of the tooth cleaned and sealed.
While long considered safe, emerging research shows that root canals may have serious downsides. These include:
- Inability to fully sterilize the canal, allowing bacteria to persist.
- Leakage of bacteria and toxins into surrounding tissues.
- Increased risk of chronic inflammation and systemic disease.
- High long-term failure rates.
Some holistic dentists now favor more conservative treatments that aim to maintain natural tooth vitality. Good nutrition can also boost oral health and help avoid the need for root canals in the first place.
Though sometimes necessary as a last resort, root canals may be best avoided whenever possible. Weigh the risks carefully with your dentist and consider less invasive options for saving infected teeth.
