Root Canal ... myths ...

[NeonkittyUK]

This was linked by a member called Hypohen last year. Given yesterday's posts it might be of interest/reassurance. I could not find the article source but will try.

(PLEASE NOTE THAT THESE VIEWS ARE NOT MINE BUT FROM AN INTERNET DENTAL ARTICLE. SOMEONE POSTING UNDERNEATH HERE HAS MIS-UNDERSTOOD AND THOUGHT I HAVE PERSONALLY WRITTEN THE INFORMATION BELOW. ABSOLUTELY N O T. I did not imagine for one moment people thought I was giving my opinion especially since I have said on my opening two lines above. I want to make this absolutely clear as Londinium thinks the Myth and Truth is my opinion. Not at all.) Below is the re-posted article from the link from a member last year. I posted it as another member was posting yesterday about the dangers of root canal. I was unable to embed the Link in my post so could only cut and paste.

THE INFORMATION BELOW IS NOT MY OPINION. We all have to make our own decisions about what we feel is best for us. I would never press my view on anyone.

Internet Article:

The myth: Patients searching the Internet for information on root canals may find sites claiming that teeth receiving root canal (endodontic) treatment contribute to the occurrence of illness and disease in the body. This claim is based on long-debunked and poorly designed research performed in the 1920s by Dr. Weston A. Price. Dr. Price stated that bacteria trapped in the teeth during root canal treatment could “leak” and cause almost any type of disease, including arthritis, heart disease, kidney disease and others. This was before medicine understood the causes of these illnesses. At the time, Dr. Price recommended tooth extraction instead of endodontic treatment.

The truth: There is no valid, scientific evidence linking root canal-treated teeth and disease elsewhere in the body. In fact, by the early 1930s, a number of well-designed studies discredited Dr. Price’s research, and no subsequent research has supported Dr. Price’s findings. In 1951, the Journal of the American Dental Association devoted an entire issue to a review of the scientific literature and concluded that there was no evidence supporting Dr. Price’s theory and that his research techniques from the 1920s lacked many aspects of modern scientific research. The ADA recommended endodontic treatment as the standard of practice for teeth that could be saved. Recent research continues to support the safety of dental treatment as it relates to overall health.

The presence of bacteria in teeth and the mouth has been an accepted fact for many years. But the presence of bacteria does not constitute "infection" and is not necessarily a threat to a person's health. Bacteria are present in the mouth and teeth at all times, even in teeth that have never had a cavity or other trauma. Research shows that the healthy immune system takes care of bacteria in a matter of minutes.

When a severe infection in a tooth requires endodontic treatment, that treatment is designed to eliminate bacteria from the infected root canal and prevent re-infection of the tooth.

Tooth extraction is a potentially traumatic procedure and is known to cause a significantly higher incidence of bacteria entering the bloodstream; endodontic treatment confined to the root canal system produces much less trauma and a much lower incidence and magnitude of bacteria entering the blood stream.

There is no adequate replacement for the natural tooth - it should be saved whenever possible. Endodontic treatment, along with appropriate restoration, is a cost effective way to treat infected teeth because it is usually less expensive than extraction and placement of an implant. In most cases, endodontic treatment allows patients to keep their natural teeth for a lifetime.

[shaws]

Thanks for the information. It is helpful.

[mizuki in reply to shaws]

Hmmm, I developed autoimmune thyroiditis after a very traumatic root canal filling. Don't know whether it has any connection, but more research is definitely needed.

[Boronia]

I have no real knowledge of this so am only commenting on a gut reaction. The ADA have a massive vested financial interest in debunking any theories that root canal treatment is not the best option.

[dgleds]

I didnt get to read the article, but i have a friend that thinks Im going to hell in a hand bag, because I have had to have a couple root canals.. I brushed the life out of my teeth(right down to the line)....always had nice teeth right up to about age 48 (first needed root canal, but had to pull) I could not afford the cheapest root canal back then at 500.00 dollars, but 200.00 dollars to pull it out sadly...I went with the 200$ (tooth looked fine too)...Oh well no dental plan...Since my 50's my first root canals have happened (i have some dental plan yayy). They are not proper root canals though...its a cheap version of that. (like the temporary ones)...I have thyroid probs, and likely mild lupus, but that happened before the root canals....Glad to have some kind of tooth in there...I thought maybe..just maybe, the thyroid acting up..and mild lupus...and menopause about that time few years back, could have brought about tooth probs (different chemistry.saliva/hormones...who knows........learning to go with the flow more now....~~~

[jezebel69]

The root that I had filled was not straight so a small portion was left at the bottom. An infection will flare up here just as it does in my sinuses whenever my thyroid is compromised. So acute stress + a poorly functioning thyroid = infections.

[Northie]

Oh good cos in about an hour I have a root canal treatment with a surgeon as my actual dentist cocked up trying to do it and I'm in agony.

It's not so much the fact I had to have 5....yes 5 injections during treatment that bothers me, or the fact that he had to stop mid treatment cos he could do it and had to refer me.....or even the fact I've spent a week in agony on painkillers which could drop an elephant....all timed to an inch with my thyro meds...heeheee..

It's the fat that for nearly two weeks I've not been able to......to.....breathe breathe breathe........

EAT TOAST! Cruel...just cruel.......

Wishing you all well.

[Jazzw in reply to Northie]

Northie, wishing *you* well x Hope everything goes really smoothly and that you recover quickly.

[Northie]

Thank you so much. Very kind of you.

[helbell]

Thanks for the heads up and reminder....

I have satisfactory and bad experiences of root canal. Yes, I read extensively about infection from extractions poorly executed. Root canals are big bucks too. It would be a comfort to know that mouth-painless trapped bacteria has not dug it's way through secret passageways around my body. I'm Googling now for hard research and having a job getting past the functional Guru's like Mercola and Oz. They seem to rehash info as opposed to having direct experience. I know that I have aggressive periodontal disease I manage. A lot of us have it, as as we grow older. And the impact of impaired immune systems lets the bacteria go haywire. I have anaerobic bacteria thriving in my gum pockets all antibiotics have failed. I do much better with good oral hygiene and flushing pockets with natural antimicrobials using a syringe to get right in there. If I could afford a hygienist every couple of weeks to do regular deep cleaning that would be even better. Hopefully someone will come up with some links to refute Prices' theory.

[hairyfairy]

This is like a breath of fresh air to me, after all the doom laden predictions that I read on the internet telling me that having a root canal is condemning me to all sorts of dreadful diseases.

[NeonkittyUK]

Hello Londinium, please read the first two lines ... These are NOT MY comments .. I am a dental patient .. not a dentist. If you read at the top of the post I am re-posting something from last year which was an online article the person shared on here. Not my views opinions. I thought I had made that very clear. I ensured that was stated. I am surprised and "rendered speechless" by your post. I am not being rude here but please read the post before making such a response. Please do not be so rude. The article is giving both sides of the argument so you can see I am not speaking from both sides of my mouth. I find your comment rather odd .. and rude. Please have a look at the first two lines again. I do NOT think anything of the sort that these things are fine, healthy or tickety boo as you say. That is a rather strange comment indeed.

Never mind, I think most people understand that I was posting the other side to what the previous person was linking us to with the cons of root canal. We can all make our own research and decisions anyhow.

Best wishes

NK

[Hidden in reply to NeonkittyUK]

Hi Neonkitty

Our teeth are related to various parts of our body via the Meridian line.

So if you have a problem with a tooth, root canal, amalgam filling, or you have any problems with your teeth, it has impact on that organ it relates to.

Kind regards

Manukia

[NeonkittyUK in reply to Hidden]

Hi Manukia, I am not saying it is not .. these are NOT MY views. Just an online article posted by another member of the Forum last year which gives both sides. It is rather narrow minded for anyone to believe the blood vessels/supply and nerves stay in that area. Everything is connected, agree.

[Peggotty]

As you are re-posting the article it would be useful to reference the source. If this was written by the ADA - the American Dental Association - then I find it interesting that it would not be treated with the same amount of scepticism that we have for Doctors and the NHS views on Hypothyroidism and testing. Of course they are going to say that Root Canals are ok, it is the main income generator for Dentists across the world!! Please be self-informed and read up about RC's and amalgam (which is used frequently in RC's) .......mercury is responsible for so many auto-immune diseases INCLUDING hypothyroidism!!! There very good, informed groups on fb and a plethora of very useful youtube clips that can help you....and yes, there is scientific evidence out there to support this. Again, I find it ironic that people who speak out about this would be discredited as scare-mongering on this site.....just think about it guys!!

[NeonkittyUK in reply to Peggotty]

YES I did say I would have a look and will very shortly .. I did say it would not link/embed in my post for some reason. I don't want to identify who originally posted it as I have a feeling some people who have commented on this thread may contact this person and this is not fair if their posts are inappropriate thinking she/he has written it, just as someone thought I had, despite my constant reminders I did not write a dental article!!!!!

I have been at my Mum's care home since 2pm and then admitting a desperately ill elderly lady to hospital and just home at midnight so not had any time to post links on here and after I post the link I am done with it. I did not wish to reply to anyone tonight but feel there has been much response here I will try again to link the article. See if it works.

I am always very informed ... and was reading several articles .. the one I posted was more layperson's language. As someone who already has two root canals (RA was present before I had the canals) I am not guilty here of any crime .. not saying it is bad or good .. I only posted an article showing pros and cons as some people were saying they were about to have root canals or just had them. One of my old root canals is under a very complex and expensive three tooth bridge so I am loathe to start all that up and aggravate my arthritis with a potential flare. People will do what they feel is right for them just as people with RA make their RA medication choice with informed decision. I am not telling anyone to have a root canal or not to ... not my style at all. All I did was mention I was in the middle of a root canal and all went a bit crazy from there.

Hopefully people can make their own minds up and not feel worried about so doing as there are a lot of extreme views on it and it could upset people who are just about to have or just had treatment.

You go with whatever you feel comfortable about after you have read pros and cons. Yes of course the dental association are going to be pro-root canal .. at £300 a time. People should have a look at alternatives if they feel root canal not for them but what is not right is someone forcing an extreme view on others which happened a couple of days ago. I don't need to read up any more advice myself, but thank you. Already have read plenty.

[NeonkittyUK in reply to NeonkittyUK]

I have managed to find the previous post-er from last year and traced their conversation and they referred to the American Association of Endodontists so I looked on their website and found the article myself. The Link which I hope works is: aae.org/patients-and-proced...

If this does not work go to the website aae.org and the Root Canal Myths pages are under the heading Clinical Resources and easy to see and access.

Hope people facing root canals can research, assess risks, make their informed choices and feel comfortable with what they are doing.

If you don't mind that is me done on this subject ... I have a desperately ill Mum aged 94 in hospital and need to concentrate my energy, time and attention there so will not be replying or looking on this thread again.

[helbell]

Londinium, is that something I have counter-commented on or just an observation? I live in hopes Price is wrong but the part of me that has experienced nasty reaction to root canal regretfully guesses not....but I would like some hard research...not a demand, I will keep looking and post if I find some. We are all entitled our opinions, and we are entitled to disagree...but without snark!!

[alitom123]

Having had surgery to replace both hips 5 & 6 years ago, I was advised by the consultant that whenever I had dental treatment I should be given a sachet of antibiotic powder to be taken before treatment. It was to do with the prevention of infections. I found that there was a difference of opinion between the consultant, the GP and the dentist. Reading your posts today made me wonder whether I should have taken an antibiotic before having a root canal filling done last week. I don't have dental treatment often so I'd forgotten about the consultant's recommendation. I know it's too late now since the job has been done but is this really so important or is it only important when there's bleeding during the procedure?

Thanks,

Alitom123

[NeonkittyUK in reply to alitom123]

I am sorry I don't know at all ... I am only someone who mentioned I was in the middle of a root canal and then a big debate ensued. The article was not mine .. just a copy of what was posted by a member on this forum last year who linked that article form the Net. I have never had antibiotic powder so sorry don't know. I did not have antibiotics with my root canal .. just a lot of antibiotic/painkiller in the tooth to calm it.

[shaws in reply to NeonkittyUK]

If you are hypothyroid ensure the dentist uses a non-adrenaline injection. I always ask for citanest/octapressin as I have very bad reactions to dental anaesthetics since being hypo.

[NeonkittyUK]

Thank you. No not hypothyroid. My dentist is very good and I trust him. He knows my medical history. I saw your message come up as you are an Admin but otherwise I am really able to be on here at the moment and do not see when posts are made, other than Admins. Thank you again. NK