# Are Root Canals Really Toxic?? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [February 17, 2013, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-root-canals-really-toxic/650576 "2013-02-17T04:29:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 12
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2013, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-root-canals-really-toxic/650576/221 "2013-02-25T23:31:05Z")
> [@ineedthetruth](#): > > Guys do you think root canals cause auto immune conditions or make them worse if you have them? I am curious about this. I have seen many websites/doctors who claim this. What are your thoughts? What? Cancer wasn’t enough for you? Now you want Immuno-deficencies too? No. You can’t have it. Pick one conspiracy theory and work through that one first, then you can branch out. By the way, it’s never Lupus. ---
**Author:** ![rsat3acr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a3d4f5/32.png) [@rsat3acr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rsat3acr)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2013, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-root-canals-really-toxic/650576/222 "2013-02-25T23:38:03Z")
> [@ineedthetruth](#): > > Guys do you think root canals cause auto immune conditions or make them worse if you have them? I am curious about this. I have seen many websites/doctors who claim this. What are your thoughts? Of course they don’t cause autoimmune conditions. Auto immune is caused by the body not something from outside that’s why it’s called auto(self)immune. The internet is the easiest place for people with agendas to grind their axes. How about all the reputable site that support RCTs, why do you continually ignore them and believe the crackpot sites? And just like in the insurance commercial, I’m a French model. ---
**Author:** ![Ace309](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ace309/32/1050_2.png) [@Ace309](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ace309)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2013, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-root-canals-really-toxic/650576/223 "2013-02-25T23:47:29Z")
> [@ineedthetruth](#): > > I understand what you are saying but new theories are proven every day. Proof means nothing right now. What’s not proven today will be proven tomorrow. All im saying is just because it’s not proven yet does not mean it will not be proven. > > I think judging from all of the data out there it’s very logical to consider the threat that root canals are indeed dangerous. Of course I could be wrong but it makes a lot of sense to me. You cannot fully clean out the canals no matter what you do. Your nerve is cut and you don’t feel the pain or “warning” you normally would. I don’t know…I think it’s a real concern. So you don’t intend to provide the evidence you promised earlier? ---
**Author:** ![rsat3acr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a3d4f5/32.png) [@rsat3acr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rsat3acr)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2013, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-root-canals-really-toxic/650576/224 "2013-02-25T23:47:36Z")
> [@ineedthetruth](#): > > I understand what you are saying but new theories are proven every day. Proof means nothing right now. What’s not proven today will be proven tomorrow. All im saying is just because it’s not proven yet does not mean it will not be proven. > > I think judging from all of the data out there it’s very logical to consider the threat that root canals are indeed dangerous. Of course I could be wrong but it makes a lot of sense to me. You cannot fully clean out the canals no matter what you do. Your nerve is cut and you don’t feel the pain or “warning” you normally would. I don’t know…I think it’s a real concern. So what, your nerve warned you for a year and a half and you ignored it. Go to the dentist for regular checkups, it’s their job to find problems with your teeth. We can find decay in teeth long before you can see it or even in a live tooth, feel it. You aren’t judging form all the data out there, the vast majority of the evidence shows that RCTs and safe and reliablem and you cntinually choose to ignore it and focus on a few crackpots. ---
**Author:** ![rsat3acr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a3d4f5/32.png) [@rsat3acr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rsat3acr)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2013, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-root-canals-really-toxic/650576/225 "2013-02-25T23:58:36Z")
> [@ineedthetruth](#): > > There are doctors who make this claim. Do you really think the NDA is going to fund studies? Big deal no official studies have been done to prove root canals are dangerous. Who is going to fund these studies? The NDA would keep a lid on this because root canals are BIG business. > > There are many reputable dentist who know that root canals are dangerous. Where are the studies that prove root canals are safe? Either way studies will not prove anything here. You can google images and see infected root canals after they are pulled. X rays dont always pick up infections. How can you prove that root canals cause someones auto immune condition 4 years down the road? What is the NDA? Are you thinking ADA(Americian Dental Association)? They fund some research but most comes from the government and manufactures or do you believe the govt. is out to get you also? You can find lots of proof of that on the internet. Some RCTs fail(as is the case with any health care procedure) but way many more work. Why don’t you google those images? ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2013, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-root-canals-really-toxic/650576/226 "2013-02-26T00:36:28Z")
> [@ineedthetruth](#): > > Proof means nothing right now. What’s not proven today will be proven tomorrow. And don’t forget, they laughed at Galileo. Hey - you’re the one who got the toxic root canal and now is doomed. We’ll remember you fondly ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2013, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-root-canals-really-toxic/650576/227 "2013-02-26T00:46:56Z")
> [@ineedthetruth](#): > > I understand what you are saying but new theories are proven every day. Proof means nothing right now. What’s not proven today will be proven tomorrow. All im saying is just because it’s not proven yet does not mean it will not be proven. Bald men are hairy on the inside. Cats are female dogs. At the time of writing, neither of these things is proven. I’ll check again in the morning. ---
**Author:** ![rsat3acr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a3d4f5/32.png) [@rsat3acr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rsat3acr)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2013, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-root-canals-really-toxic/650576/228 "2013-02-26T01:49:43Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > Bald men are hairy on the inside. Cats are female dogs. At the time of writing, neither of these things is proven. I’ll check again in the morning. It might be four years down the road. ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2013, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-root-canals-really-toxic/650576/229 "2013-02-26T03:08:10Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > And don’t forget, they laughed at Galileo. > > Hey - you’re the one who got the toxic root canal and now is doomed. > > We’ll remember you fondly ☹ Did you get a \*gold _cap? Can we have it when you die, assuming your girlfriend doesn’t want it?_ I’ll be getting a cap in two days, but not a root canal, although I have two of those, too. It’ll be gold. - Sorry to be gross, dude, but the way you write just sounds so frantic. And I’ve been going through my mother’s stuff. Saturday I found a container with two gold crowned teeth (with 2 and 3 roots) connected by a gold bridge. Sorting back through the boxes, my Mom probably inherited it when her second husband died, and if he was keeping it, it probably came from his first wife. Joy, right? Like Wavy Gravy says, “Brush 'em if you’ve got 'em.” Also floss and wear a bite guard at night if your teeth have a tendency to break. And if you find yourself frantically collecting crockpot doom and gloom off of the internet, close your eyes and take deep breaths until it passes. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2013, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-root-canals-really-toxic/650576/230 "2013-02-26T04:18:05Z")
> [@ineedthetruth](#): > > Guys do you think root canals cause auto immune conditions or make them worse if you have them? I am curious about this. I have seen many websites/doctors who claim this. What are your thoughts? No, I don’t. Our immune system isn’t like some out of control malware program. Otherwise, _piercings_ would cause serious diseases. I’ve had my ears pierced since I was six – I have yet to get cancer. I’m not an expert, but I’m guessing you just waited too long to get your tooth fixed. Now, you may just have to cut your losses and have it pulled. And no, a replacement will NOT cause an “auto immune reaction”. As I keep pointing out, hockey players would be a dying breed if that were the case. If there really WAS a serious problem, the ADA does NOT supercede the FDA – they’d be making the decision. That and I highly doubt the ADA would be making much money if they were getting hit by lawsuits. Unless you have some kind of weird allergy or genetic condition\*, you’ll be fine. \*I had a cat that had to have all of her teeth pulled, because her gums got so inflamed. It turned out she had this weird condition that was almost like her gums were allergic to her teeth. I can’t remember exactly what it was called. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2013, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-root-canals-really-toxic/650576/231 "2013-03-06T21:02:03Z")
guys are you sure root canals dont worsen auto immune conditions/ cause hair loss? ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2013, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-root-canals-really-toxic/650576/232 "2013-03-06T21:04:59Z")
Dude! You’re still alive! Praise the gods!! ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2013, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-root-canals-really-toxic/650576/233 "2013-03-06T21:08:07Z")
have you guys ever gotten a root canal and lost beard hair? Just curious. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2013, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-root-canals-really-toxic/650576/234 "2013-03-06T21:08:22Z")
> [@ineedthetruth](#): > > guys are you sure root canals dont worsen auto immune conditions/ cause hair loss? _sigh_ There is no evidence that root canals do any of the things you’ve mentioned so far, and before you bring up yet another supposed result of root canals please give us a reason or cite pertaining to it, o.k.? ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2013, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-root-canals-really-toxic/650576/235 "2013-03-06T21:10:35Z")
> [@ineedthetruth](#): > > guys are you sure root canals dont worsen auto immune conditions/ cause hair loss? YES! We’re SURE! Stop being so paranoid. ---
**Author:** ![Canadjun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/76d3ee/32.png) [@Canadjun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Canadjun)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2013, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-root-canals-really-toxic/650576/236 "2013-03-06T21:16:16Z")
> [@ineedthetruth](#): > > guys are you sure root canals dont worsen auto immune conditions/ cause hair loss? Yes, we’re sure. You still haven’t given any cites regarding your claims that “many reputable dentists” believe root canals are dangerous. Would be nice for me if root canals caused beard loss; then I wouldn’t have to shave! 😃 Saying that there is no proof that root canals don’t cause autoimmune disease makes as much sense as saying that there is no proof that root canals don’t cause your left testicle to fall off. ---
**Author:** ![theR](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/977dab/32.png) [@theR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/theR)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2013, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-root-canals-really-toxic/650576/237 "2013-03-06T22:00:47Z")
> [@ineedthetruth](#): > > guys are you sure root canals dont worsen auto immune conditions/ cause hair loss? Come on. Are you all still taking this person seriously? This post and his next seem to be making it more clear that he is just messing with everyone, along with many of his other previous posts. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2013, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-root-canals-really-toxic/650576/238 "2013-03-07T00:11:44Z")
> [@theR](#): > > Come on. Are you all still taking this person seriously? This post and his next seem to be making it more clear that he is just messing with everyone, along with many of his other previous posts. im not messing with anyone. I wanted to know if people who got root canals have experienced beard hair loss. ---
**Author:** ![interface2x](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c0e974/32.png) [@interface2x](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/interface2x)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2013, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-root-canals-really-toxic/650576/239 "2013-03-07T00:55:39Z")
I have. Of course, I shaved in between the root canal and the beard hair loss, but I definitely had less beard hair after the root canal. ---
**Author:** ![rsat3acr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a3d4f5/32.png) [@rsat3acr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rsat3acr)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2013, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-root-canals-really-toxic/650576/240 "2013-03-07T02:11:43Z")
Your persistance has paid off. I’m going to let you in on a dental secret(remember I am a dentist) please don’t tell this to anyone else. Yes root canals are toxic and you are going to die by an auto immune disease after losing all your hair. All of us here have just been stringing you along telling you that things would be okay to lull you into a false sense of security while we took out huge insurance polices on you. We made up all those hundreds of websites that support RCTs but you managed to find the few real sites that explain the toxicity of RCTs. It’s been nice chatting with you, we’ll miss you when you’re gone. At your wake can we all have pie? :rolleyes: [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-root-canals-really-toxic/650576.md?page=11) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-root-canals-really-toxic/650576.md?page=13)