# 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:** 4
**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 17, 2013, 11:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-root-canals-really-toxic/650576/61 "2013-02-17T11:27:54Z")
> [@ineedthetruth](#): > > I will have a root canal before you know it sadly What are the alternatives? [ul] [li]Leave it untreated? This will hurt a lot and may well kill you.[/li][li]Have the tooth extracted? That’s an option - can you cope without it?[/li][li]Have it extracted, then get an implant? (sounds like you’re against that notion)[/li][li]Have it extracted, then bridged? Not as great an option as an implant, in most cases.[/li][/ul] Even if it’s true that root canals are teh evil, what viable alternatives have you? ---
**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:** [February 17, 2013, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-root-canals-really-toxic/650576/62 "2013-02-17T13:14:16Z")
> [@ineedthetruth](#): > > I need the truth Senegoid. \*\*You can’t handle the truth! \*\* ---
**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 17, 2013, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-root-canals-really-toxic/650576/63 "2013-02-17T13:35:19Z")
Ironic user name of the week. ---
**Author:** ![saje](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saje/32/3631_2.png) [@saje](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saje)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2013, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-root-canals-really-toxic/650576/64 "2013-02-17T13:50:20Z")
**Kayaker** FTW! If you are so paranoid about the root canal procedure, just have the damned tooth pulled. For what it’s worth, my Dad had multiple root canals done. He died at age 90, and never had cancer, of any sort, ever. He died from complications of old age and [the Guillane Barre syndrome](http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/guillain-barre-syndrome/DS00413) he contracted during WWII - BEFORE he’d ever had a root canal done. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2013, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-root-canals-really-toxic/650576/65 "2013-02-17T13:58:02Z")
That you are a true believer, is not evidence, or even convincing, of anything other than than you aren’t interested in facts as much as confirmation. No, you’re not going to find any converts, very likely, on a site like this. You are totally barking up the wrong tree my friend. Most people frequenting this site highly value real actual science. That means peer reviewed studies by reputable persons, not “It’s all over the Internet!” That ain’t evidence of anything. And when you present this as an actual talking point, well, you come off looking somewhat like a Sasquatch hunter, or Mayan calendar believer. Also all over the Internet. there are plenty of loons holding up dodgy websites etc as some kind of proof. When all it really proves is that ‘true believers’ are like religious believers. There is little point in trying to dissuade such a person, especially with reason. If they could reason at all, they wouldn’t believe in sasquatchs to begin with. If someone shows you something blue and tries to convince you it’s red, and you correct them, yet they still maintain it’s red, you should save your breath. 'True Believers ’ are usually people who are already so heavily invested in being right as to be blind to any reason whatsoever. You should consider taking this dog and pony show off to an audience that you have at least a chance of convincing to drink the koolaid. You’ be doing all of us, and yourself a big favour, I think! ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2013, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-root-canals-really-toxic/650576/66 "2013-02-17T13:59:41Z")
when a root canal is done all the living material is taken out of the tooth and it is filled in, there is nothing left in the tooth to get infected. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2013, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-root-canals-really-toxic/650576/67 "2013-02-17T14:04:41Z")
If you want a reasoned, scientific debunking of Dr. Weston and all the woo-spinners, go to [Dispelling the Myths about Root Canal Treatment](http://www.yourseattlesmile.com/blogt36110/bid/138364/Dispelling-the-Myths-about-Root-Canal-Treatment). Just a few highlights: > [@](#): > > This idea came from a theory which was based on teaching by an English physician in the early 1900’s named Dr. William Hunter, who condemned American dentistry stating that any fillings or crowns placed on diseased teeth would create a “gold trap of sepsis. > [@](#): > > The truth of the matter is that there is no valid, scientific evidence linking root canal-treated teeth and disease elsewhere in the body. In fact, by the early 1930’s, a number of well-designed studies discredited Dr. Price’s research, and no subsequent research has supported Dr. Price’s findings. In 1951, the Journal of the American Dental Association devoted an entire issue to a review of the scientific literature and concluded that there was no evidence supporting Dr. Price’s theory and that his research techniques from the 1920’s lacked many aspects of modern scientific research. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2013, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-root-canals-really-toxic/650576/68 "2013-02-17T14:13:18Z")
Yeah, like I’d trust a _British_ critique on American dentistry! ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2013, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-root-canals-really-toxic/650576/69 "2013-02-17T14:33:36Z")
> [@ineedthetruth](#): > > when did you get your first one? Your immune system might still be fighting off the infection. It could only be a matter of time before you start seeing problems. around 30 years ago… ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2013, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-root-canals-really-toxic/650576/70 "2013-02-17T14:36:04Z")
> [@ineedthetruth](#): > > Well there are always non believers. He has been a dentist who was taught this is not the case. Look at all of the evidence. Price implanted root canal tooths into rabbits and they got the same illness etc. He did this with thousands of rabbits. This is only the beginning of the proof. There must be someone here who agrees with me right? so far, nope. ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2013, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-root-canals-really-toxic/650576/71 "2013-02-17T14:39:54Z")
> [@ineedthetruth](#): > > astral why is that you guys object me over and over? There is so much evidence to support this. I will continue to conversation tomorrow. I got to get to bed. My tooth is really hurting…I got to go do my temporary fix. I will have a root canal before you know it sadly ☹ Good night and see you guys tomorrow. If you don’t want a root canal - pull the tooth. Root canals - in and of themselves - are not any more dangerous than other dental procedures. end of story. ---
**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:** [February 17, 2013, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-root-canals-really-toxic/650576/72 "2013-02-17T15:17:31Z")
> [@ineedthetruth](#): > > Well there are always non believers. “Non-believers”?:dubious: Cult-type behavior & terminology is a red warning sign of con artists & quacks. ---
**Author:** ![rsat3acr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a3d4f5/32.png) [@rsat3acr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rsat3acr)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2013, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-root-canals-really-toxic/650576/73 "2013-02-17T15:47:33Z")
ineedthetruth, you do need the truth the problem is that you don’t believe it when you see it. “Are root canals really toxic”? Of course not, there is a root canal in every human tooth. Now if what you really mean is is root canal therapy toxic that is something else. The answer of course is still no but it is something else. But we’ll go with root canal to mean root canal therapy since that is common usage and I’m sure what you mean. I’ve had six root canals, the first one being 40 years ago.(Too much Dr Pepper as a kid) and no ill effects from them yet. FWIW I am a dentist and have done somewhere between 1500 and 2000 root canals over the last 26 years. In the vast majority of cases the patient is able to retain the tooth that would be extracted. Do some fail, sure for a variety of reasons but not because they are toxic. Most root canals are done because the patient has a cavity that has gotten to the nerve and is causing pain. Just like in your case. I guess in all your research you didn’t notice the research about limiting sugars or good oral hygiene to prevent cavities. The initial decay is the sorce of the infection not the root canal therapy. Will the therapy always work, of course not but it does the vast majority of the time so we save a lot of teeth that would otherwise be lost. Can we get all the bacteria out of the canal prior to obturation of course not but the body is able to help with that. Can an ER doctor get all the bacteria out of a cut prior to placing stiches nope, but they still stich them up. The filling material in root canals is usually gutta percha which is basicly inert and prior to placement the canal is irrigated with disinfectent (usually bleach) to kill bacteria that may be in the canal. Sure some bacteria can remain but the therapy itself isn’t toxic. ---
**Author:** ![moriah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b2d939/32.png) [@moriah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/moriah)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2013, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-root-canals-really-toxic/650576/74 "2013-02-17T16:40:18Z")
[We’ve been through this before.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=676788) Fear of going to a dentist leads to believing crackpot theories on the Internet. Then, inexplicably, they come here seeking confirmation of the crackpot theories… one of the last places to endorse such things. Go figure. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Miskatonic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr.miskatonic/32/310_2.png) [@Mr.Miskatonic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Miskatonic)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2013, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-root-canals-really-toxic/650576/75 "2013-02-17T16:50:36Z")
OK, so since the OP does not seem to grasp the concept of ‘data’ vs. ‘anecdote’ I will give him an anecdote. I had 6 root canals back in 6th grade thanks to some sloppy orthodontia work. _Six_ of them. This was also when they didn’t fill and drain all the roots at once, they did them one root per appointment, then a capping. Do the math - 24+ fun dentist appointments for me! Today? I have a full head of hair. And it has been close to 30 years on those root canals. I’d expect some cancer to have kicked in my now. The only complication is that the caps had to be replaced as they were sized for my younger mouth. And since this is how the OP thinks I will simply make this reference: “uuhh, Bon-jour?!” ---
**Author:** ![Crab\_Rangoon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7ba0ec/32.png) [@Crab\_Rangoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crab_Rangoon)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2013, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-root-canals-really-toxic/650576/76 "2013-02-17T17:04:15Z")
> [@moriah](#): > > [We’ve been through this before.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=676788) > > Fear of going to a dentist leads to believing crackpot theories on the Internet. > > Then, inexplicably, they come here seeking confirmation of the crackpot theories… one of the last places to endorse such things. Go figure. This. It seems **Ineedthetruth** is in need of a root canal but is afraid of it. Hey - it’s not on my top 10 list of fun things to do either - but most medical procedures are not fun. They are necessary to retain your health and well being. If you let your fear overrule your health needs - you will pay the price. It is completely your choice. You are currently panicking and grasping at crazy straws. Just get the damn root canal and save your tooth - especially considering you’ve already lost a few others at this point. ---
**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 17, 2013, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-root-canals-really-toxic/650576/77 "2013-02-17T17:32:00Z")
One redeeming feature of spending time on the Dope is that you can learn about forms of bizarreness that you never dreamed existed. I thought I was up on woo in general, but the idea that root canals are toxic and lead to all sorts of diseases is new to me. In general, **ineedthetruth** , any time you hear a claim that a particular medical procedure, drug, or supplement is the key to preventing or causing a vast array of dissimilar medical problems, the claim is likely to be bogus. > [@](#): > > According to Dr Weston Price Bazinga! (as Sheldon Cooper would say). Immediately distrust whatever Weston Price or the Weston Price Foundation (known for promoting the wonders of raw milk and warning against the devastation caused by flouridated water, soy-based foods etc.) says. Do not depend on WP, Mercola and similar sources for accurate health information; proceed on the assumption that whatever they are telling you is dubious and seek confirmation from reliable sources. In the matter of root canals, as in so many other things, you won’t find such evidence. A lot of the dire warnings come from so-called “holistic dentists”, who have built up profitable practices through “alternative” methods like yanking out amalgam fillings, a painful and expensive procedure which doesn’t improve the health of [del]victims[/del] patients. Some also advocate [removing teeth treated with root canal therapy](http://www.new-cancer-treatments.org/Articles/RootCanals.html) (the linked site is typical of the dire warning websites which cite no published research, just undocumented claims based on ludicrous theories like breast cancers developing in the same “acupuncture meridian” as one’s root canal). I have seen no logical explanation and no compelling evidence for the proposition that root canals are “toxic” and cause cancer or other diseases. > [@ineedthetruth](#): > > I wanted to get some feedback on the issue. It just seems nobody here knows the truth. I am convinced for the most part root canals are toxic. And I doubt anyone here will be able to convince you you’re actually being taken for a ride by quackery promoters. Do some independent reading and apply rigorous standards to what you hear, utilizing the same skepticism with which you approach mainstream medicine and dentistry, and your conclusions are likely to be far different than what they are now. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Me](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d2c977/32.png) [@Mr.Me](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Me)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2013, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-root-canals-really-toxic/650576/78 "2013-02-17T17:58:11Z")
> [@Rachellelogram](#): > > 100% of Americans with osteoporosis have consumed milk at some point in their lives. We can therefore safely conclude that milk causes osteoporosis. QED. [Ninety-two point four per cent of juvenile delinquents have eaten tomatoes](https://sites.google.com/site/pocketdimension42/dta-gallery-1/dta---the-essay). ---
**Author:** ![BigAppleBucky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigapplebucky/32/178_2.png) [@BigAppleBucky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigAppleBucky)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2013, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-root-canals-really-toxic/650576/79 "2013-02-17T18:14:05Z")
> [@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 🙂 I had root canal on a dead, but not infected tooth, nearly 50 years ago. Aside from the slight discoloration, it has not given me any identifiable trouble since. I’ve had a few minor health problems, but they seem to have had causes other than that tooth. People I’ve known with tooth infections who have had root canal, were miserable before hand and miserable for a period after as well. Medical types might know if some sort of systemic and lasting infection can be a result of an infected tooth. I’ve had one for 20 years due to food poisoning. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2013, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-root-canals-really-toxic/650576/80 "2013-02-17T18:19:45Z")
Nice replays guys. I am going to be off work around 5 pm est. I will post the links then. I believe by the time I’m done some will believe me. See you in few hours. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-root-canals-really-toxic/650576.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-root-canals-really-toxic/650576.md?page=5)