I’ll begin this article by stating the obvious: I am not a dentist and I don’t pretend to be. However, I talk with women all over the globe every week about breast cancer – as I coach them on my program which involves the ‘7 essentials’ of breast cancer prevention and treatment. One of the fundamental questions I ask them is: “Do you have root canals?”
I ask them this because I am passionate about helping others create vibrant health and educating them on how to get there. And when it comes to root canals, there is mounting evidence to suggest a strong correlation: root canals - which fill your mouth with toxic chemicals - can and do increase your risk of disease, including breast cancer.
Science confirms the root canal - cancer connection
Bill Henderson is the author of the book “Cure Your Cancer” and host of the popular radio show “How to Live Cancer-Free.” After 25 years as a cancer-prevention advocate speaking with thousands of cancer patients and doctors on and off the air, he says, “Two facts have jumped out at me from those many phone calls… 1) The most common cause of all cancers is root canal-filled teeth and cavitation sites; and 2) Until a cancer patient gets rid of the root canal-filled teeth and cavitations, they don’t get well. You can take those two facts to the bank, folks.”
Science is beginning to agree with Henderson’s claim. Dr. Robert Jones, a researcher at the Institute for Cancer Sciences at the University of Glasgow, looked directly at the relationship between root canals and breast cancer.
His 5-year study involving over 300 women with breast cancer found that 93 percent of them had root canals. Interestingly, he also found that, in the majority of the cases, the cancer tumors were located on the same side of the body as the root canal or other oral pathology.
In addition, the actual root canal procedure can be the cause of infection from the get-go. A 1998 study, published in the American Academy of Periodontology, concluded that the actual root canal sites as well as the blood samples of all 26 case subjects contained anaerobic bacteria. It is a safe bet that from the minute you get that root canal (no doubt recommended and performed by your traditional local dentist), a never-ending river of bacteria starts flowing into your entire bloodstream.
100% of the breast cancer patients involved in the study had root canals, or other infections, on the same acupuncture meridian.
When a root canal is performed, the dentist attempts to remove all bacteria and fill the canal with foreign substance to stop bacteria from re-entering the tooth. However, due to the shape of your tooth canal, it is 100% impossible to remove all bacteria and completely fill the canal. What you end up with is a partially filled tooth canal that is actively growing and hiding bacteria.
Root canals are a safe haven for microbes and bacteria. When the canal is filled, it eliminates blood flow to the tooth, prohibiting your immune system from killing off the microbes and bacteria that remain in the tooth canal.
These microbes originate in the same biological locations that cancer cells form.
Microbes, bacteria, and other toxins from inside the tooth can leak from inside the tooth and into your body, causing infections and other health problems, including cancer.
Despite the fact that root canals have been directly linked to cancer through multiple research studies, the results have never been published by the ADA.
For more information about the dangers of Root Canals and the link between root canal therapy and breast cancer, please download our breast cancer and root canal information flier: Breast Cancer and Root Canals.
How the teeth are directly connected to the health of your body
The connection between your mouth and the rest of your body just makes sense if you look at your teeth as an integral part of your overall body system. Your teeth are living organisms that are connected to the rest of your body through the ‘acupuncture meridian system.’
This organism contains over 3 miles of tubules (tiny fluid-filled holes in the dentin layer of each tooth). When a tooth becomes diseased to the point where it cannot be saved with a non-toxic filling or a crown, the tooth should be extracted. Period.
97% of Terminal Cancer Patients Previously Had This Dental Procedure…
Do you have a chronic degenerative disease? If so, have you been told, “It’s all in your head?”
Well, that might not be that far from the truth… the root cause of your illness may be in your mouth.
There is a common dental procedure that nearly every dentist will tell you is completely safe, despite the fact that scientists have been warning of its dangers for more than 100 years.
Every day in the United States alone, 41,000 of these dental procedures are performed on patients who believe they are safely and permanently fixing their problem.
What is this dental procedure?
More than 25 million root canals are performed every year in this country.
Root-canaled teeth are essentially “dead” teeth that can become silent incubators for highly toxic anaerobic bacteria that can, under certain conditions, make their way into your bloodstream to cause a number of serious medical conditions - many not appearing until decades later.
Most of these toxic teeth feel and look fine for many years, which make their role in systemic disease even harder to trace back.
Sadly, the vast majority of dentists are oblivious to the serious potential health risks they are exposing their patients to, risks that persist for the rest of their patients’ lives. The American Dental Association claims root canals have been proven safe, but they have NO published data or actual research to substantiate this claim.
Fortunately, I had some early mentors like Dr. Tom Stone and Dr. Douglas Cook, who educated me on this issue nearly 20 years ago. Were it not for a brilliant pioneering dentist who, more than a century ago, made the connection between root-canaled teeth and disease, this underlying cause of disease may have remained hidden to this day. The dentist’s name was Weston Price - regarded by many as the greatest dentist of all time.
Saving a dying, infected tooth would be like trying to save an infected appendix or gall bladder by stuffing it with bleach (sodium hypochlorite is routinely used in root canals) and other toxic chemicals in the hope that the body will not reject it. Sound silly, right?
It is silly, and dangerous. Innately, your body does not want to hold on to anything “dead.”
If a root canal is performed to “save” a dead tooth, the thousands of tubules within the tooth each become receptacles for deadly bacteria. The result is: An on-going toxic drip of bacteria such as E. Faecalis (responsible for abscess formation and destruction of tissue) into the body and its organs.
The result of the constant presence of bacteria in the root canal area can be a severe suppression your of immune system.
Infected teeth threaten your whole body with poor heatlh
It can also effect the organs connected to the tooth, again through the acupuncture meridian system. For example, the 4th and 5th tooth - to the left and right of the center teeth - in the upper and lower jaw are connected to the breast meridian.
Constant infection caused by a root canal in these teeth can lead to complications, energy (or Chi) imbalances and blockages in energy flow in the breast meridian. This phenomenon is often very visible in thermography scans.
If you have had a root canal, consider having the tooth removed and the tissue around it cleaned and repaired by a holistic or biological dentist. Biological dentists understand the connection between root canal and disease in the body. The Holistic Dental Association and the International Academy of Biological Dentistry and Medicine are great resources for learning more and for finding a biological dentist near you.
Root Canals Can Lead to Heart, Kidney, Bone, and Brain Disease
As long as your immune system remains strong, any bacteria that stray away from the infected tooth are captured and destroyed. But once your immune system is weakened by something like an accident or illness or other trauma, your immune system may be unable to keep the infection in check.
These bacteria can migrate out into surrounding tissues by hitching a ride into your blood stream, where they are transported to new locations to set up camp. The new location can be any organ or gland or tissue.
Dr. Price was able to transfer diseases harbored by humans to rabbits, by implanting fragments of root-canaled teeth, as mentioned above. He found that root canal fragments from a person who had suffered a heart attack, when implanted into a rabbit, would cause a heart attack in the rabbit within a few weeks.
There may also be a cancer connection. Dr. Robert Jones, a researcher of therelationship between root canals and breast cancer, found an extremely high correlation between root canals and breast cancer.iv He claims to have found the following correlations in a five-year study of 300 breast cancer cases:
-93 percent of women with breast cancer had root canals
-7 percent had other oral pathology
-Tumors, in the majority of cases, occurred on the same side of the body as the root canal(s) or other oral pathology
Dr. Jones claims that toxins from the bacteria in an infected tooth or jawbone are able to inhibit the proteins that suppress tumor development. A German physician reported similar findings. Dr. Josef Issels reported that, in his 40 years of treating “terminal” cancer patients, 97 percent of his cancer patients had root canals. If these physicians are correct, the cure for cancer may be as simple as having a tooth pulled, then rebuilding your immune system.
Bottom line, if you are being proactive with breast cancer prevention and are on a healing journey, you MUST address your dental health.
About the Author:
Dr. Veronique Desaulniers (“Dr. V”) is a best-selling author and founder of BreastCancerConqueror.com. She specializes in Chiropractic, Bio-Energetics, Meridian Stress Analysis, Homeopathy and Digital Thermography. After 30 years in active practice, she decided to “retire” and devote her time to sharing her personal, non-toxic healing journey with Breast Cancer. Her years of experience and research have culminated in “The 7 Essentials” ™ a step-by-step coaching program that unravels the mystery of healing the body. Her website and personal healing journey have touched the lives of thousands of women around the globe.
Provided by ArmMed Media
FAQs
Root canals and breast cancer: The connection is clear | health.am? ›
There are so many myths surrounding dental treatments. One of them is that root canals cause breast cancer. But nothing could be further from the truth! The fact is, there is no connection between root canals and breast cancer or other illnesses.
Are root canals linked to illness? ›Despite widespread misinformation, according to the American Association of Endodontists, root canal treatment does not cause any illnesses. There is no scientific proof to back up any claims linking root canals as the cause of illnesses or other health concerns.
What is the most common bacteria in root canals? ›E. faecalis and yeast, mainly C. albicans, has been repeatedly identified as the species most commonly recovered from root canals undergoing retreatment, in cases of failed endodontic therapy and canals with persistent infections.
Why do root canals have such a bad reputation? ›Many people avoid having root canals due to rumors that the procedure will be painful or out of fear of complications from the procedure. Root canal treatments may have been painful decades ago but with modern dental technology and anesthetics, the procedure is only about as painful as having a filling placed.
Why do you want to avoid root canal? ›Root canal dangers for long-term health
The bacteria from your gums or the remnants of your infected tooth can easily spread through your bloodstream to the rest of your body and cause systemic problems.
The most common injury from negligent root canals is a dental nerve injury and these injuries are often serious and permanent. Dental nerve injuries are always an upsetting event for those unfortunate enough to experience them. More often than not, these injuries are debilitating and permanent.
Can a root canal cause problems years later? ›Root canal treatment are generally painless. Due to some unwarranted reasons, root canal treated tooth can develop pain after years. Root Canal treated tooth may suffer pain again after few years.
Is it best to avoid root canal? ›A root canal procedure is recommended and performed only when there is an oral health need and other procedures cannot fix the problem. Not having this suggested dental procedure done can lead to more advanced problems.
Why do dentist always recommend root canals? ›It's necessary to have endodontic or root canal treatment when the inside of your tooth (the pulp) becomes inflamed or infected as a result of deep decay, repeated dental procedures, faulty crowns or a crack or chip in the tooth.
What is worse than a root canal? ›Risks of a tooth extraction are more serious than those that come with root canal therapy. They include: The bone that once supported the tooth will begin to lose its volume and mass. Adjacent teeth may drift out of place, leading to a misaligned bite.
Do dentists unnecessary root canals? ›
It is estimated that 75% of root canal procedures are either unnecessary, because the tooth is still alive, or so infected, that the procedure is simply locking anaerobic bacteria into the bone, which might cause chronic inflammation (NICO-condensing osteitis) and possible long-term systemic medical damage.
What can I do instead of a root canal? ›Dental treatment alternatives to a root canal include direct pulp capping, pulpotomy, pulpectomy, endodontic retreatment, endodontic surgery, tooth extraction, dental implants, bridges, or dentures.
Is there a natural alternative to a root canal? ›If the pulp in your tooth is already infected, though, the application of salt water, tea tree oil, or garlic may help. However, because the consequences of a tooth infection can become so severe, seek more conventional treatments if your condition worsens while using natural treatments.
How do you get rid of root canal bacteria? ›To treat the infection in the root canal, the bacteria need to be removed. This can be done by either: removing the bacteria from the root canal system (root canal treatment) removing the tooth (extraction)
Which tooth has the most root canals? ›Although any tooth can have decay form and need a root canal, the back molars are the most common teeth to need root canals.
What is the most resistant bacteria in root canal treatment? ›The main reason for endodontic failure is the presence of some species of bacteria inside the root canal system such as Enterococcus (E.) faecalis. Those bacteria are more resistant to disinfection agents, causing a persistent intra-radicular or extra-radicular infection.
Do root canals cause heart problems? ›Two important studies that investigated root canal therapy (RCT) as a surrogate for pulpal infection found that individuals who had undergone RCT had a greater risk of coronary heart disease than those who did not [4,5].
What happens to your body after a root canal? ›What to expect after a root canal? For the first few days after a root canal, some patients experience sensitivity, swelling, or inflammation, while others experience an uneven bite or a reaction to the medication provided by the endodontist. Regardless of symptoms, a follow-up appointment is almost always needed.
What happens when an old root canal gets infected? ›If these canals also open into the periodontal membrane at the attachment between the teeth and bone, the infection can spread there and become a periodontal (gum) infection that can trigger future tooth loss. Fortunately, a reoccurrence of infection isn't necessarily a death sentence for a tooth.
Can root canals last 30 years? ›Breaking down the root canal data
Teeth that receive a root canal, and a subsequent filling and crown last about 20 years. Teeth that receive either a filling or a crown after a root canal last around 11 years. Teeth that receive no restorative work after a root canal only last about 6.5 years.
Can a root canal last 50 years? ›
On average, a tooth can last between 10 to 15 years after undergoing a root canal treatment. However, the lifespan can increase significantly if the dentist includes a dental crown along with the treatment.
What are the disadvantages of a root canal? ›Cons of Having a Root Canal
Dentists have to drill through the tooth in order to get to the pulp, and additional decay might have to be removed. If the tooth is too weak to function, the dentist will add a crown to it, which will strengthen the tooth and allow the patient to use it like a natural tooth.
Most individuals registering for root canal treatments are between the ages of 35 and 44. Any age or person who consumes a lot of sugar and carbohydrates is susceptible to tooth decay and dental issues.
How do you keep a root canal healthy? ›- Brush and floss gently. It is important to keep the area clean after a root canal treatment. ...
- Rinse the mouth. Cleanliness is critical after a root canal procedure. ...
- Eat soft foods. ...
- Avoid putting pressure on the tooth. ...
- Listen to the dentist's instructions.
The root canal procedure is completed in two separate visits to ensure that the tooth is thoroughly cleaned out, sealed up, and protected from further damage.
What is the most painful dental procedure? ›Root canals are considered to be the most painful because they require removing the nerve tissue on a tooth's root. The removal of the nerve tissue is not only excruciatingly painful but also commonly leads to infection.
Is it really necessary to get a root canal? ›Root canal therapy is necessary when oral bacteria invade the pulp inside of your tooth. This usually happens when a cavity is left untreated for a long time. It can also occur if your tooth becomes cracked or damaged due to trauma.
What is the hardest tooth to root canal? ›The maxillary molars, especially the second molars, have the most complicated root canal system in permanent dentition. There are many variations in canal number and configuration in maxillary molars. Treatment may be unsuccessful because the dentist may fail to recognize the unusual canal configuration.
Which root canal is the most difficult? ›Maxillary first molars (MFM) are among the most difficult teeth for endodontic treatment due to their complex root canal system [2].
How do you know if your dentist is good? ›- Does your dentist actively listen? ...
- A good dentist educates. ...
- A great dentist respects their patient's time and resources. ...
- A clean and comfortable setting. ...
- Avoids upselling. ...
- Gets to understand your needs. ...
- Follows up with you. ...
- Has a good rapport with the staff.
Why do holistic dentists not do root canals? ›
The resultant production of toxic gases and solutions from these chronic infections challenge the immune system and can lead to illness. A holistic approach to dentistry avoids root canals whenever possible. They represent a stress on the immune system that can manifest in many ways throughout the body.
What is a temporary solution instead of root canal? ›Pulpotomy is commonly done on children, and it is performed on adults as a temporary substitute for a root canal. Extraction: A dentist recommends extraction in cases of severe damage to the teeth or irreversible tooth decay impacts.
Can you fix a root canal without surgery? ›A non-surgical root canal is a minimally invasive procedure that treats a variety of dental problems. The most common reason for this procedure is to remove any plaque and bacteria from your teeth and root canals. It helps to prevent tooth decay and gum disease.
What is a natural antibiotic for root canal? ›- Clove. Clove possesses anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties that have been widely studied and proven. ...
- Garlic. Garlic also acts as an anti-inflammatory and antibacterial. ...
- Turmeric. Turmeric is a common spice used in many kitchens. ...
- Warm salt water rinses. ...
- Ginger.
Root canal therapy is recommended when teeth can be saved with treatment, while an extraction is performed when the tooth's structure is too damaged, or a crack goes beneath the gum's surface, not leaving enough structure for stability or use after the repair.
Can dental work cause autoimmune disease? ›Some research suggests that metal medical and dental implants may cause an autoimmune reaction in people with metal allergies and other genetic predispositions. Some of the diseases researched in connection to metal devices include: Multiple sclerosis. Systemic lupus erythematosus (Lupus).
Can you get sick from an untreated root canal? ›An untreated root canal can not only result in bone loss and infection but can also result in an acute abscess. An abscess is the formation of pus on the infected tissue or the area of decay. Some of the symptoms of an acute abscess include unbearable pain, swelling and fever.
Can an untreated root canal make you sick? ›If a root canal is delayed for too long, the bacterial infection can spread to other areas of the mouth, putting the patient at risk for serious dental problems and other medical conditions. The infection can cause something called a dental abscess, which is a pus filled sac that requires immediate medical attention.
Why am I being sick after root canal? ›Bacteria: The spreading of infection-causing bacteria from the pulp to the bloodstream is highly likely. The white blood cells are deployed to fend the body against this infection. This might be the reason behind developing a fever after the root canal treatment.
Which body systems are most affected by dental disease? ›- Your Lungs. You might never think to connect your dental health to your respiratory health. ...
- Your Heart. The same oral bacteria that can invade your lungs may also invade your heart, with the main difference lying in the means of travel. ...
- Your Blood Vessels. ...
- Your Brain.
Can your immune system fight off a tooth infection? ›
The more advanced form of gum disease is known as periodontitis. This cannot be reversed, but it can be managed through medications and treatment. Your immune system is responsible for getting rid of the bacteria causing the infection. The inflammation will trigger your immune system to take action.
Does a weak immune system affect teeth? ›The Importance of Dental Health with a Weak Immune System. When your body's defense system is weakened, it is more susceptible to germs. Your mouth contains a huge number of germs that can cause serious infections. This is why it is said that a human bite is the most serious bite of all animals.
What is the strongest natural antibiotic for tooth infection? ›- Clove. Clove possesses anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties that have been widely studied and proven. ...
- Garlic. Garlic also acts as an anti-inflammatory and antibacterial. ...
- Turmeric. Turmeric is a common spice used in many kitchens. ...
- Warm salt water rinses. ...
- Ginger.
Myth #3: Root canals can make you sick.
According to the American Association of Endodontists, this claim is based on a century-old poorly designed research study that has long been debunked. There has been no scientific evidence linking root canal treatment with the development of disease in other parts of the body.
If there's a delay in wearing a dental crown or any other permanent reinforcement after a root canal procedure, the chances of infection development increase. Consequently, the tooth can be damaged or prone to a newer cavity after the procedure, resulting in a root canal infection.
What are the long term side effects of a root canal? ›Months and even years after root canal therapy, bacteria can continue to multiply. Reinfection can occur, which then damages the surrounding soft tissue, teeth, and bone. Patients may experience tooth loss requiring complex and costly restorative care.
Do I need antibiotics after root canal? ›Antibiotics after a root canal are not necessary. After root canal treatment, it takes a little time to fully recover. Do not eat crispy or hard things after a root canal. It is most important to protect against dental damage after treatment.
Can antibiotics heal an infected root canal? ›When you have tooth pain such as a tooth infection, antibiotics can go a long way in helping to address the infection, but unfortunately, antibiotics cannot completely heal an infected tooth. What's more, if you're dealing with an infected root canal, antibiotics really are not going to cut it.