My previous post on brushing teeth reminded me of my wife’s root canal treatment. If you have never heard of root canal, it’s a dental treatment for preserving decayed tooth.
Usually, dentist will do dental filling for your slightly decayed tooth. And if your tooth is seriously decayed, dentist will take it out. And you will have one tooth less.
But with root canal, you have an additional option to keep your tooth. Dentist will drill a hole on top of your decayed tooth, extract out all tooth nerves, fill it up and cover it up with dental crown.
This results in a lifeless tooth. You cannot sense any pain on this particular tooth because the nerves are taken out. But you still can chew food with it.
Sounds good isn’t it?
It may sound good but many researches and patient experiences showed various health problems resulting from root canal treatment. This is mainly caused by porous space left over by the extracted nerves and blood vessels. And various bacteria can live in that space.
Unfortunately, your body immunity cells cannot reach there since blood vessels are no longer available. So the bacteria can live there happily ever after…
The rest is elementary. Bacteria produces toxins. And toxins flows to your other body parts causing all sorts of health problems. This is what I understand about root canal treatment. You always find more information through the internet.
My wife root canal
When I found out the danger of root canal last year, my wife already had one in her mouth for 5 years. After a few months, we finally decided to take it out. So we went to see my dentist friend in Singapore.
The moment dentist pull out her root canal tooth, a strong foul smell came out from her mouth. I could still smell it coming out from her mouth after 2 hours. This could only mean one thing – serious inflammation.
This is her extracted tooth photo.
Root canal tooth & crown - looks bad
Before and after
Before taking out her root canal tooth, my wife had some problem with her balancing once a while. When she was walking straight, she would suddenly move to the side and hit the wall. And she had no idea how it happened.
But now, she realized her balancing problem had disappeared. It was a subtle change though. She said she experienced another improvement but forgot about it. I’ll update it when she recalls it.
What should you do?
Here is my sincere advice for you. If you’re thinking of doing root canal treatment, don’t do it. And if you have root canal tooth in your mouth, it depends on your personal choice. If I have one in my mouth, I’ll definitely take it out even though I don’t have any health problem.
If you have root canal tooth and you’re currently experiencing some incurable health problems, you can take your chance and remove the tooth. There is a high probability that your problem is caused by the tooth. Even if the tooth is not the culprit, it’s still better to remove it sooner or later. Keeping a dead tooth in your mouth is not a wise choice.
Asking the dentist
And if you happen to ask your dentist about this matter, be prepare to hear them defending root canal usage with their facts and case studies.
However, you must understand that most dentist and doctor learn about what is good and what is bad from the university. And university get its standard from your government. And your government get its standard from other bigger government. And those bigger government decision may be influenced by… you guess it.
There is a thick book with various case studies proving root canal treatment side effects. If you cannot find it, you can request it from me. I happen to know one holistic doctor specializing in this area.
Finally, it all boils down to one question: Do you want good looking teeth with root canal or do you want a healthy body without root canal?
March 21st, 2009 at 7:01 am
Faced with a severe molar infection from a 4yr. temporary that was breeched and having read the root canal cover up and the views of holistic practitioners like Hulda Clark, Huggins, Jerome, Cook and biological dentist views I chose extraxtion vs. root canal. The extraction by a biologic dentist took 3 hours of extreme force leaving me bruised, 14 stitches and in pain. the tooth roots were strongly attached to the bone but the pulp was destroyed and the tooth was dead after a 2 1/2 week painful infection. The tooth was a large molar and the one I depended on to eat my raw foods. For 2 weeks now I can only eat juice and soup and am still healing and needed cranial work for all the bone shifting and buising of cranial bones. I now have a huge hole and feel incomplete and was informed the only safe replacement is a removeable partial to remind me of the void and that dreaded day. I now wish I had never been informed and chose root canal instead. The trauma to my other teeth,palate and livelihood have left me empty and confused. There is no subsuitute for your own teeth!
Is there any safe root canals? Calcium hydoxide, lazer, ozone? The mouth is always dealing with bacteria, under fillings and in the mouth so why is a root canal so much worse? Putting in artificial materials the rest of one’s life can’t be healthy. IF bacteria were causing a problem in a dead tooth wouldn’t the jaw bone or adjacent teeth be affected? Can energy pass through a root canal meridian? If everyone had all root canals out they would have mutiple atrifical replacements which is compromising to the jaw and immune system. Many of my friends have root canals for 25 years with no problems and good health. I wish I only had answers to these questions before I was forced to make the dreaded decision.
October 4th, 2010 at 5:47 am
I have have found that it is a bit difficult to find information supporting the “anti-root canal” point of view.
Based on my own personal experience with my root canal I decided to go looking to see if anyone else had experienced anything similar to what I have regarding my root canal.
Mostly, I am experiencing a foul odor and taste coming from the root canal. I had the root canal done about 6 years ago and it wasn’t until the past 4 years I’ve had bad breath that comes directly from the source. When I floss there the odor is horrifying. I want the tooth out but I don’t know what to replace it with as I don’t want my teeth to shift. The tooth is the far back bottom tooth. It’s a big “tooth”.
Also I would be interested in reading more … can you provide me with the
“thick book with various case studies proving root canal treatment side effects”
I can’t locate it on the net.
Thank you so much for sharing your story. It sort of validates for me what I have thought all along.
October 4th, 2010 at 6:54 am
Hi Kristen,
I think that book is not in production right now. You can find more info at this website: http://natural-health.com.my
Dr Chan is an expert in this area.
April 5th, 2011 at 4:23 pm
I need to find out what other options – remove the tooth?
Implant??? I am quite desperate and need to make a decision
May 5th, 2011 at 2:33 am
Wow! I almost got my second root canal done, but I just cancelled my appointment. It’s unfortunate because I will be losing my front tooth this time.
My first root canal was done in one of the last molar tooth in the back. It’s been about two years and I’ve been sick with no cause. Thanks for sharing the story about your wife, I thought I was being clumsy bumping into things and kept reminding myself to be focused. Can’t wait to pull the crown out!
May 12th, 2011 at 10:26 am
Just because you have one bad experience with a root canal doesn’t mean that you should just have your teeth pulled out. I was going to have my tooth pulled out too, but the dentist told me why I should have a root canal done instead, and I’m glad I did now. Also by looking at that photo that tooth looks horrible, and doesn’t look like your wife really did a good job of looking after her teeth in the first place. So I can understand why she would have it pulled. But to tell people not to have a root canal just based on 1 bad experience is dumb. It’s always better to try and save your teeth unless you want to look like a wrinkly prune by the time your 45
May 18th, 2011 at 4:36 pm
I had a abcess at the root of the 3rd canal on my 14th molar. To begin I have always had a fear of Dentist so it took me over 2 months to go to the oral surgeon. He immediately started the process of the root canal. This was in Novemeber of 2010. I did not go to the follow up build up appointment because of my fear. My husband (who also has a root canal) asked me to research the dangers of root canals hence my findings here with you. Since my root canal I have been dizzy and constantly having nausea and vomiting. I have also been diagnosed with Lupus.Do you think this may be the source of my new diagnosis… I am very greatful for the information provided because it was what my husband suggested I do to begin with but I opted to try and save my tooth. Any information that you can provide me with is greatly appreciated.
Thanks
May 18th, 2011 at 5:39 pm
Hi Monica,
If you experience those health problems after your root canal treatment, there is a high probability that root canal is the main cause. If I were you, I will take out the root canal tooth immediately.
Toxins from bacteria living inside the root canal can cause all sorts of health problems. To detoxify some of existing toxins in your body to improve your health, you can take Ganoderma herb. My family and I have good result with it. More info at: http://www.ganoderma-for-health.com
June 27th, 2011 at 4:23 am
Root canal teeth normally harbour a type of gangrene. The smell quite literally is the infection, but most often it doesn’t mean inflammation. Root canal teeth quite often kill the adjacent bone around a tooth, and if the bone is dead there is no blood supply and no inflammation. The bacteria are free to multiply totally unchecked. Really for a root canal tooth, simply removing it is not enough. All the adjacent bone should be cut away (not drilled as the temperature can cook and kill it stopping healing). If you cut away the bone until it bleeds, it stands a chance of healing. Otherwise you’ll be left with a cavitation in the bone after the removal of the tooth, which is just as bad as a root canal.
July 10th, 2011 at 6:58 am
Thank you for the eye opening information. I have had cancerous conditions in my gums which required the removal of most of my molars to allow for treatment of the bone under the teeth, I was left with four anchor molars and most of my front teeth to my eye tooth on each side. All of the remaining molars are root canals only one is capped with a porcelain and gold crown. Just before all the surgery, I was diagnosed with M.S. and M.G. balance, vision and general health have all continued to diminish. I now am faced with the deterioration of the remaining root canals and now four other cavitys. I, like a lot of US citizens, have no insurance to help with this, I am on SSI and our health care plan does not consider illness caused by our teeth a covered illness. I am considering going to a foreign country for treatment as you did with your wife. I have purchased a copy of your book and will continue to gain insight from your experiences. I also look forward to the day when I can again walk down the hall way and not ram into the wall and wonder why???? Thank You
July 22nd, 2011 at 7:26 pm
I have just had a root canal 4 days ago. 2 days after the rc I started experiencing pain, toothache….. jaw pain and earache…. I have a very high pain threshhold. I can take pain, but this was unbearable. I visited a different dentist andhe took xrays. He said that the rc was done properly, however there was some cement left in the bottom. My body is trying to work it out, and that is where the pain is originating. He put me on very strong antibiotics. It is now the day after I started, but the pain is still there. He said to wait 24 hrs for it to settle. has anyone else had this sort of experience? CC
July 24th, 2011 at 9:54 am
Thank you, James, for speaking the truth.
I had a root canal done in 2003 at age 52. Prior to that time I was in robust health, high energy and no physical pain anywhere.
After that procedure was done, I began a 5 year downward spiral in my health. I started to develop serious pain in my back (lumbar and thoracic spine), had balance problems, insomnia, trouble focusing and extreme fatigue and nausea. In 2008, I experienced extreme swelling of my parotid gland (the large salivary gland under your ear). Coincidently (or not) it was right next to the top molar that was my root canal.
I consulted an endodontist and he insisted that the root canal xrays looked fine. I got even sicker. I finally went to a biologic dentist, and he suggested that I go to an oral surgeon and have it removed.
I will always celebrate the date of Sept. 13, 2010. That is the day my health began to improve. I went on to have all of my silver amalgams removed (I had 10). I’m happy to say that, less than one year later, my health has returned and I feel like living again.
I don’t care who says that American dental practices are safe, nor what their credentials are, I know by my personal journey through hell that they are not. I recommend that anyone who is experiencing one health issue after another, start looking in your mouth.
July 24th, 2011 at 3:40 pm
Thanks everyone, for sharing your valuable experience and expertise in this subject.
July 28th, 2011 at 12:25 pm
I highly respect Dr Mercola and his knowledge. His web site is http://www.mercola.com Type in root canal in the serach window and he will explain the dangers.
September 17th, 2011 at 12:32 am
I’ve been trawling the internet for information on root canals after I had my first one done about 2 months ago. Ever since then my health has deteriorated to the point where I now feel so exhausted I cannot leave the house. I have a history of chronic fatigue but this is worse than anything I have ever known. My blood tests are all clear and my dentist wants to redo it to remove some residual infection but I feel like having it pulled. I’d appreciate any feedback on this because I feel desperate to get my health back.
September 17th, 2011 at 12:48 am
Francis, if I were you, I will extract the root canal tooth out.
March 19th, 2012 at 1:00 pm
Thank you for Sharing your wife’s experience. I got a toothache 8 years ago and developed a nasty taste in my mouth/ bad breath. I went to the dentist and he did a root canal, the smell did not go away but the pain subsided. He put a temporary crown on for a week while the permanent crown was being made and one day the temporary crown fell off and I smelt it and it smelt rotten. I told the dentist but he said he didn’t smell anything, which was a lie bc the smell was very apparent. Since my root canal 8 years ago I still have pain on and off in that tooth and it’s very embarrassing because I have the worst smelling breath ever and I know it’s coming from that tooth because I never had bad breath before that tooth started actIng up. After seeing the picture of your wife’s tooth I’m thinking that my tooth may be rotten like that also. My health has been deteriorating since the root canal, I have balance, memory and concentration problems, also very bad headaches and I’m only 25! I’m thinking about pulling the tooth, I went to the dentist last week and the xray showed nothing wrong but the dentist wants to do a second root canal. I think I’m going to get it pulled and hoping my bad breath will go away. Did your wife have bad breath before she got her tooth pulled? Also, I know the smell is coming from the root canal tooth because when I floss by it the floss smells terrible and if I chew gum on the side it brings out the rotten smell and makes it worse.
March 19th, 2012 at 1:30 pm
Hello Ashley,
My wife did not have bad breath. Maybe her root canal crown completely covered her tooth and did not let out any smell. As mentioned, X-ray showed nothing wrong with my wife root canal tooth but it smell bad after being taken out.
March 23rd, 2012 at 2:44 am
I’ve recently been told that my 10 year old son will be needing a root canal done. I’m extremely worried. I’ve heard of amalgam being hazardous and already feel guilty that we all have fillings in our mouths. I’m on welfare and feel helpless… what would be the harm of having it pulled at such a young age? It’s the far bottom “big” molar? Where could I go for help? info?
April 26th, 2012 at 5:16 am
Hi,
I completely agree with you James Pang. I’ve had a terrible foul smell coming out of my root canal for over ten years now and I have seen about 10 dentists 5 of whom here in the UK including consultants and they’ve all said nothing to link my problems to the root canal at all! This is the first time I link it the the root canal! All they did was to point to other numerous conditions related to the stomach etc as the likely source of my problems even though they observed that the gum around the root canal is constantly irritated and also there is foul smelling odour from the same place. To me it feels like puss coz it is warm, tastes bitter and has the most disgusting smell. I asked each of these dentists to pull out the two teeth in this area and they all practically refused!
After my last visit to a senior consultant I lost my faith in the whole process. I felt cheated, given the amount of money involved, and taken for a fool!
They all looked at me and said there was nothing wrong even though they could clearly see the irritated gum in this area and the foul smell!
I never linked it to the root canal at all but have always wanted the teeth taken out. Is there any dentist that will do this for me in the UK coz I’ve totally failed to find any?
One thing for sure is that my overall health has detoriated. I now have stomach ulcers, I seem to have very low levels of energy, my skin gets itchy sometimes, constant colds, etc and ofcourse damaged self esteem! What with people pulling away from your face the moment you speak! I practically feel like an old woman physically always complaining of this and that! I’ve seen the doctor but failed to explain exactly what I felt!
I may have to travel to have this done.
Thank you for your advice!
Lola