Do Root Canals Cause Health Problems? Family Dental Center Sets the Record Straight

At Family Dental Center, we understand nothing quite beats your natural teeth. So, when you come to our Manteca, California, office with a damaged or decayed tooth, Drs. Mircea Mitu and George D’Louhy won’t recommend dental extraction immediately. We’ll first inspect your tooth to ensure it can be saved with endodontic services like a root canal treatment. 

Unfortunately, root canals have been associated with chronic health problems, including cancer, autoimmune diseases, and gastrointestinal disorders. Are these claims valid? Keep reading to separate facts from fiction regarding the potential connection between root canals and health problems.

How a root canal works

Your tooth is a living organ. At the center of your tooth lies the pulp chamber, which contains nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissues. When you have a crack, failed dental work, or tooth injury, bacteria may infiltrate your pulp chamber, causing infection or inflammation. 

When you have a tooth nerve infection, you experience unbearable toothaches, a darkened tooth, tooth sensitivity, and swollen gums. Over time, your tooth pain may stop, but this doesn’t mean the problem is over. Your tooth is probably dead, and the infection is spreading to nearby tissues. 

Antibiotics and your body’s immune system can’t cure an infected tooth — only a root canal can “save” your tooth from extraction. 

What does a root canal involve?

After anesthetizing your gums, we drill an access hole at the top of your tooth, remove the diseased tissues, and clean your tooth thoroughly. Next, we fill your empty canals with gutta-percha before restoring your treated tooth with a dental filling or crown.

Your treated tooth not only looks and functions like other healthy teeth — it can support your smile for a lifetime with diligent care.

Does root canal treatment cause health problems?

Although you may have read on the internet or elsewhere that root canals cause illnesses and systematic diseases, this isn’t true. According to the American Association of Endodontists, this myth has been debunked by research conducted nearly a century ago. No scientific evidence links root canals to cancer and other health complications. In fact, root canals eliminate pain and infections, promoting healthy living.

Safe root canal treatment near me

The fear of getting endodontic treatment can result in a dental abscess, jawbone atrophy, tooth loss, and sepsis (blood infection) for prolonged untreated infection. Don’t jeopardize your health because of unfounded myths — root canal therapy is a safe and effective treatment to save your dental and body health. 

For root canal services you can trust, please call (209) 420-1205 to schedule an appointment with Family Dental Center.