# 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:** 14
**Author:** ![forrest747](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b38774/32.png) [@forrest747](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/forrest747)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2013, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-root-canals-really-toxic/650576/261 "2013-03-23T01:06:02Z")
@ Shoday: No, sir. I live in Arizona and overheard someone talking about this doctor. Got them to give me his website. Since it pertained to this forum thread’s discussion of root canals, I thought y’all would be interested in what was on his website. There are doctors like this out there. As for me, I go to regular dentists, i.e. “normal” dentists. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2013, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-root-canals-really-toxic/650576/262 "2013-03-23T12:48:49Z")
Fair enough. Regards, Shoda **n** ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2013, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-root-canals-really-toxic/650576/263 "2013-04-01T19:36:13Z")
did anyone here experience beard hair loss after a root canal? I suspect some have. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2013, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-root-canals-really-toxic/650576/264 "2013-04-01T19:47:42Z")
> [@ineedthetruth](#): > > did anyone here experience beard hair loss after a root canal? I suspect some have. since most males shave then i expect that there would be some.. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2013, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-root-canals-really-toxic/650576/265 "2013-04-01T19:50:22Z")
> [@runner pat](#): > > When I was in high school, my beard was rather sparse. Now that I’ve had several root canals, I have a full, thick beard. My anecdote beats your anecdote. > [@ineedthetruth](#): > > did anyone here experience beard hair loss after a root canal? I suspect some have. And it works the other way for some. So whose anecdote is more accurate? ---
**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:** [April 1, 2013, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-root-canals-really-toxic/650576/266 "2013-04-01T20:25:00Z")
Holy shit! \*\*ineedthetruth \*\*is still alive! It’s an Easter miracle. I figure after the root canal he had last month, he’d have died, beardless, of cancer by now. Dude, have you checked for tumors? I’m just sayin’. ---
**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:** [April 1, 2013, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-root-canals-really-toxic/650576/267 "2013-04-01T21:23:36Z")
I spent a fun 2 1/2 hours last Friday having a temporary crown put in (an upper molar lost an encounter with an almond). What with all the stress and thinking about the toxins in the temp (and permanent) crown, I swear my beard has grown half an inch since then. :eek: ---
**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:** [April 1, 2013, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-root-canals-really-toxic/650576/268 "2013-04-01T21:28:13Z")
> [@ineedthetruth](#): > > did anyone here experience beard hair loss after a root canal? I suspect some have. Here’s a possible solution to your problem: Just masturbate until you grow hair in the palms of your hands, then have your excess palm hair transplanted to your chin. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2013, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-root-canals-really-toxic/650576/269 "2013-04-01T21:29:10Z")
**ineedthetruth** , you’re repeating yourself and you’re not listening to the posters who are taking the time and effort to answer your questions. (Examples below.) You’ve also refused to post cites you’ve promised. If this happens again I will close this thread. > [@ineedthetruth](#): > > Ok so how about this one guys? According to Dr Weston Price root canals can cause cancer, heart problems, auto immune conditions etc. In general he acts like this is a nightmare and almost the worst medical procedure you can have done. > > So I ask people here a question. Who here has a root canal and has no health problems since it has been done? > > Let the debate begin 🙂 > [@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? > [@ineedthetruth](#): > > did anyone here experience beard hair loss after a root canal? I suspect some have. > [@ineedthetruth](#): > > have you guys ever gotten a root canal and lost beard hair? Just curious. ---
**Author:** ![Canadjun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/76d3ee/32.png) [@Canadjun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Canadjun)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2013, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-root-canals-really-toxic/650576/270 "2013-04-01T21:32:24Z")
> [@ineedthetruth](#): > > did anyone here experience beard hair loss after a root canal? I suspect some have. Given the number of root canals done these days, I’m sure if you look hard enough you can find some people lost beard hair, some people gained beard hair, some people had dandruff, some people had an erection, some people sprained their ankle, some people went out and got drunk, etc. etc. etc. ---
**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:** [April 1, 2013, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-root-canals-really-toxic/650576/271 "2013-04-01T23:33:10Z")
Not only that, the first thousand people to get root canals have all died. (According to wikipedia, the first root canal was done in 1756.) ---
**Author:** ![rsat3acr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a3d4f5/32.png) [@rsat3acr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rsat3acr)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2013, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-root-canals-really-toxic/650576/272 "2013-04-02T00:22:13Z")
> [@Jack\_Batty](#): > > Holy shit! \*\*ineedthetruth \*\*is still alive! It’s an Easter miracle. I figure after the root canal he had last month, he’d have died, beardless, of cancer by now. > > Dude, have you checked for tumors? I’m just sayin’. I think of him more as an April Fool than an Easter Miracle. Mods, I apoligize if that coment is out of line, but I did try to help him early on in the thread. ---
**Author:** ![fshdude1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/cab0a1/32.png) [@fshdude1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fshdude1)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2013, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-root-canals-really-toxic/650576/273 "2013-04-03T21:27:23Z")
> [@ineedthetruth](#): > > Also I found this about 97% of terminal cancer patients had a root canal: > > [http://www.dailypaul.com/215716/97-of-terminal-cancer-patients-previously-had-this-dental-procedure](http://www.dailypaul.com/215716/97-of-terminal-cancer-patients-previously-had-this-dental-procedure) > > This is proof that is hard to deny. \ Is this Anonymous User??? ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2013, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-root-canals-really-toxic/650576/274 "2013-04-04T00:53:53Z")
> [@fshdude1](#): > > \ > > Is this Anonymous User??? Accusations of sock puppetry are not permitted in this forum. Knock it off. [/Moderating] ---
**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:** [April 10, 2013, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-root-canals-really-toxic/650576/275 "2013-04-10T02:05:19Z")
Root canals will cause all of your body hair to grow out, your tongue will turn blue, and green foam will spew out of your nostrils. Happy? ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2013, 9:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-root-canals-really-toxic/650576/276 "2013-04-10T09:21:33Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > Root canals will cause all of your body hair to grow out, your tongue will turn blue, and green foam will spew out of your nostrils. Happy? And a pentagram will appear on your left hand. ---
**Author:** ![SF\_Girl\_862013](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e8c25b/32.png) [@SF\_Girl\_862013](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SF_Girl_862013)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2013, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-root-canals-really-toxic/650576/277 "2013-07-11T21:19:48Z")
Hi everyone. I have had 2 root canals done so far in my life. I’m currently in the process of having a third one done. Right now I have a temporary filling in molar #15. That root canal will be completed in two weeks from now. My first root canal was done about two years ago by a general dentist. That has been my worst experience so far. The procedure went fine and everything, but I was nervous and uncomfortable the whole time. This is partly because I have TMJ pain and partly because I needed to be re-anesthesticized halfway through the root canal. I also did the whole appointment in one 3 hour sitting, which will wreak havoc on your jaw during and after. My second root canal was actually finished today, by an endodontist. This one was done on #14 during two, 1 1/2 hour appointments two weeks apart from each other. If you have to have a root canal done, don’t wait and get it done by an endodontist. I have had a so much better experience having this work done by an endodontist, than by a general dentist. If you have dental fear and/or dental anxiety like I do, bring your own music and noise cancelling headphones to the appointment and a stress ball to squeeze when you feel nervous. As for answering the original post: I’ve never had health problems that have resulted from having a root canal. Root canals uncessesarily have a bad reputation. Most people have more pain from the tooth that needs that root canal, than after. This is especially true if the tooth needing treatment is infected and/or the roots are dead or dying. Both of the teeth I’ve had worked on were infected and one of them had two dead roots. The doctor said this is why I was in so much pain before the root canal. After the root canal is complete you feel imeadiate relief. Sure you’ll be sore for about 3-5 days after, but that’s just from having the tooth worked on. The pain after is nothing compared to the pain before. Well, that’s my two cents. Bye. JJ ---
**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:** [July 11, 2013, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-root-canals-really-toxic/650576/278 "2013-07-11T22:24:26Z")
Are you sure that’s not a tumor? ---
**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:** [July 12, 2013, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-root-canals-really-toxic/650576/279 "2013-07-12T03:38:06Z")
Could it be that the Root Canal Cartel is paying shills to come in here and defend them? Just asking questions. Well alright, _a_ question. ---
**Author:** ![Askance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/askance/32/8281_2.png) [@Askance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askance)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2013, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-root-canals-really-toxic/650576/280 "2013-07-12T03:47:58Z")
> [@SF\_Girl\_862013](#): > > I’ve never had health problems that have resulted from having a root canal. I bet you don’t have any beard hair now! How about that, huh! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-root-canals-really-toxic/650576.md?page=13) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-root-canals-really-toxic/650576.md?page=15)