There’s a DDS out there that write a book about the correlation between failed root canals and CLL. The theory is that the anaerobic bacteria harbored within a failed root canal triggers chromosomal abnormalities.
I’m wondering what people think of this and if anyone has experienced remissions after having tooth extractions.
I recently had two wisdom teeth extracted (a medieval procedure even in 2020). One of my impacted wisdom teeth, despite NOT being exposed, actually had a large cavity. I’m curious if I see any change in WBC count in a month or two.
For those interested, here’s the article that I read.
I am completely confused by the question. The premise you start with is that failed root canals trigger Cll. Then the question you pose then is whether tooth extractions bring remissions. The question doesn’t flow from the premise.
If you link to the article that says failed root canals cause Cll, I’ll read it. But since you are wondering what people think of the the irony, here is my amateur take.
It sounds hokey and likely unsupported by any science. I have Cll and never had a root canal. Both of my sisters and my parents had root canals, but not Cll.
You might see a change in your wbc, but in the long run it will have nothing to do with losing a tooth. Any sort of infection can cause our wbc to spike, it’s a function of our immune system kicking in and making more white cells to fight our infection.
In the long term, if you have Cll your increase in wbc is purely a function of cancerous lymphocytes ( a type of white blood cell) dividing and multiplying at an abnormal rate. Normal lymphocytes might live a week or two. Cancerous lymphocytes multiply faster and live longer.
PS. The common thread is the decay/infection. Root canals save the tooth by removing the infected nerve(s). My wisdom tooth was equally infected by virtue of the cavity.
I’ve come to believe that the endodontist I cited may be a hoaxster. But the again, the doctor who suggested that ulcers had a bacterial cause was nearly laughed out if the profession before it was finally determined to be true.
Thanks, this link explains a lot. It’s a website from a guy who took advice from a physic instead of his medical doctor and claims that cured him. That in and of itself should tell you what you need to know.
In that website there is a link to the article you discuss. That article is written by a controversial holistic dentist who promotes views seen as dangerous to mainstream dentists.
I think there is about zero chance your wisdom teeth extraction has any impact at all on your Cll. If you have any sort of infection, in your gums or otherwise, that can cause short term fluctuations with your wbc. But that has nothing to do with Cll.
I also think the author of the site you linked to promotes an unproven and dangerous theory that prayer and some sort of raw food, gluten free diet cured his Cll.
Got it. I wasn’t referring to you, just the author of the site you linked to. The dentist who wrote that article to my understanding has a holistic practice that is very much out of mainstream dentistry. Good luck with your Cll.
In googling that dentist it led me to this article:
I would say it's highly unlikely that a failed root canal would trigger a chromosome abnormality. I second what cajunjeff has said.
As to 2nd part of your post - Yes, there is usually some low grade infection associated with a dead tooth in the mouth, but I wouldn't anticipate it having much impact on your lymphocyte count. The lymphocyte count in CLL patients is predominantly the presence of CLL cells unless there is a major flu infection or the like.
I can tell you that any tooth infection needs to be dealt with immediately, especially with a lowered immune system. A longtime CLL friend recently developed a gum infection due to a failed root canal. It left him with his jaw significantly swollen. He chose having the tooth removed over having the root canal redone. The night before his appointment he was on the way to the hospital septic and turning blue. Fortunately IV antibiotics got the infection under control, but he required surgery from outside the jaw to remove the pocket of infected tissue. Be aggressive about getting antibiotics for tooth infections!
I take your point. I would recommend to anyone who has CLL and especially if the immune system has been degraded, that they research root canals and implants before having either kind of dental work done. There are risks involved.
The statics of infection under root canals and implants are quite telling - even for people without CLL. I'm not suggesting not to do it, but rather to proceed with caution and evaluate the risk / benefit.
I have about 7 teeth root canal filled (always preferable to an extraction to me) and all are more than 10 years old, predating my CLL. However, the premise that bacteria in a root canal can trigger chromosomal changes is without any scientific evidence I would suggest.
You could try having all your teeth out and see if that induces a remission but I doubt it. It's not a 'root' ( ) that I'm going to go down.
Jackie
I recently had my first ever root canal done, and I have to feel that the infection was making my cll worse. About four days after I had it completed, my energy level improved dramatically. So I don't think the root canal caused the cll, but made it worse. The Endodontist has scheduled me to have the completed tooth checked two more times to be sure all the infection stays away.
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) that I'm going to go down.
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