# 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:** 8
**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:** [February 19, 2013, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-root-canals-really-toxic/650576/141 "2013-02-19T21:12:37Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Don’t blame Czar. He’s had a few root canals and can no longer control what he says or does. Sadly, he has also lost his faith in the lord. ☹ Show some respect-the “Lord” I don’t have faith in is capitalized. ---
**Author:** ![TimeWinder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bcef8e/32.png) [@TimeWinder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TimeWinder)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2013, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-root-canals-really-toxic/650576/142 "2013-02-19T21:12:58Z")
> [@ineedthetruth](#): > > I don’t know why some choose to keep their eyes closed to the truth but it is so. If you ever find out, let us know. :smack: ---
**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 19, 2013, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-root-canals-really-toxic/650576/143 "2013-02-19T21:13:04Z")
> [@ineedthetruth](#): > > I will provide the factual links soon guys. … > > I will provide the links later today after I get this all sorted out. Please do. I’m very interested in seeing what you’ll provide. ---
**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 19, 2013, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-root-canals-really-toxic/650576/144 "2013-02-19T21:23:18Z")
> [@ineedthetruth](#): > > Im back guys.I had trouble finding my thread. It seems as though it was moved. I have been battling this tooth pain for quite some time now. That’s because you’ve been doing it wrong. > [@](#): > > Some of you do not believe the dangers of the root canal. I don’t know why some choose to keep their eyes closed to the truth but it is so. Remember those facts you were going to bring, to supposedly bolster this assertion? > [@](#): > > I am battling major tooth ache right now though and need to go make it feel better. I have a whole slew of products I throw at my tooth ach to make it stop. It is a 30 minute process but the pain goes away. Pain killers will become less and less effective over time, as the infection continues to spread. You should have dealt with this properly at the first sign of trouble, not when you’re at your wit’s end. > [@](#): > > I will provide the links later today after I get this all sorted out. Yeah, we’ll all start holding our breath waiting. > [@](#): > > Life with a broken tooth is no life to live. I want to get this fixed and see what happens to me after the root canal. I suspect I will be find many months after the procedure and then when I forget about it things could go wrong. That’s how it seems to work for many people it seems. None the less im also hoping I will live a normal healthy life after getting this root canal done. Wish my luck my friends. People who make good decisions tend to be luckier than those who don’t. Good luck. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2013, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-root-canals-really-toxic/650576/145 "2013-02-19T21:37:51Z")
I have one simple question to ask everyone here. Why do you guys 100% consider the information im telling you is false? It seems nobody will even consider the notion that root canals are dangerous. Why is that? I am very curious to know why. Thanks ---
**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 19, 2013, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-root-canals-really-toxic/650576/146 "2013-02-19T21:41:27Z")
> [@ineedthetruth](#): > > I have one simple question to ask everyone here. Why do you guys 100% consider the information im telling you is false? > > It seems nobody will even consider the notion that root canals are dangerous. Why is that? I am very curious to know why. Thanks For myself, it’s because you have strenuously repeated the claim, but utterly failed to back it up with facts (despite promising to do so again and again) - really, you seem to keep posting here, but can’t quite get around to posting the evidence for the claim. Ignoring the need for dental treatment is dangerous, as you are painfully aware. Also, because for any given topic, you can pretty much guarantee to be able to find a mountain of scary bullshit about it, especially on the internet. Scary bullshit, even _really scary_, strenuously-asserted, often-repeated bullshit, is still bullshit. ---
**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 19, 2013, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-root-canals-really-toxic/650576/147 "2013-02-19T21:45:31Z")
And (too late for edit) I wouldn’t say I’m 100% sure what you’re saying is false. I would merely say that you have utterly and absolutely failed to demonstrate that it is otherwise than false. ---
**Author:** ![Human\_Action](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ac91a4/32.png) [@Human\_Action](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Human_Action)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2013, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-root-canals-really-toxic/650576/148 "2013-02-19T21:49:54Z")
> [@ineedthetruth](#): > > I have one simple question to ask everyone here. Why do you guys 100% consider the information im telling you is false? > > It seems nobody will even consider the notion that root canals are dangerous. Why is that? I am very curious to know why. Thanks Why don’t you provide your best piece of evidence? As it stands, I don’t have much to go on besides your word, and that’s not sufficient. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2013, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-root-canals-really-toxic/650576/149 "2013-02-19T22:03:22Z")
> [@ineedthetruth](#): > > I have one simple question to ask everyone here. Why do you guys 100% consider the information im telling you is false? > > It seems nobody will even consider the notion that root canals are dangerous. Why is that? I am very curious to know why. Thanks Because it comes from very, very poor sources. Because the assertions are not backed up with anything other than “this crazy guy thinks it is the case” Because “many” dentists do NOT think root canals lead to anything other than better tooth health. They really don’t. The vast, vast majority are in complete and total disagreement with your information. Because your thoughts are not logical and you do not present your ideas in a coherent fashion. Because you have nothing to back your information up other than a link to a site that is full of other crazy stuff like “Bigfoot DNA Revealed” ---
**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 19, 2013, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-root-canals-really-toxic/650576/150 "2013-02-19T22:16:05Z")
> [@ineedthetruth](#): > > I have one simple question to ask everyone here. Why do you guys 100% consider the information im telling you is false? > > It seems nobody will even consider the notion that root canals are dangerous. Why is that? I am very curious to know why. Thanks Why do consider 100% that it’s true? And why won’t YOU conside the notion that they aren’t dangerous? You seem to think our immune system is like some overzealous anti-spyware program that attacks anything that comes into our bodies. If a tooth implant would cause an “autoimmune disease” why hasn’t a hip replacement? A pacemaker? Hell, by that logic, _piercings_ would cause cancer! I do hope you feel better soon – tooth pain is one of the worst up there. ---
**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 19, 2013, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-root-canals-really-toxic/650576/151 "2013-02-19T23:52:59Z")
> [@ineedthetruth](#): > > I have one simple question to ask everyone here. Why do you guys 100% consider the information im telling you is false? > > It seems nobody will even consider the notion that root canals are dangerous. Why is that? I am very curious to know why. Thanks Because you seem to lack the common sense to realize that A) you came here for an affirmation of your beliefs B) you didn’t get it C) some very, very sharp people have deeply disapproved of your choices, and D) you didn’t even bother to double check your ideas. Look up what a root canal is at your local Library, for pity’s sake! You’ll soon see that the rubbish that quack you’ve been listening to is 100% Balloon Juice! ---
**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 20, 2013, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-root-canals-really-toxic/650576/152 "2013-02-20T00:28:03Z")
> [@ineedthetruth](#): > > You act like root canals pose no danger. Many dentist are saying they do. Define “many”. > [@ineedthetruth](#): > > I will provide the links later today after I get this all sorted out. Oo, you’re such a big tease. ---
**Author:** ![rsat3acr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a3d4f5/32.png) [@rsat3acr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rsat3acr)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2013, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-root-canals-really-toxic/650576/153 "2013-02-20T01:25:00Z")
> [@Mr.Miskatonic](#): > > Hmmm. I did not know that. Was there a change-over from doing the root canals one root at a time to all at once or was that something I had to put up with because I was a kid or had freaky roots? It isn’t that they were done one root at a time(if a multirooted tooth) it is that they were cleaned and shaped in one appointment and then medication placed to kill any residual bacteria or nerve tissue and left for a week or so. At the second appointment the filling would be placed in the canals. Most teeth needing RCT don’t have so much of an abcess that this is really necessary. Now it is usually clean, shape, disinfect and fill all in one appointment. Most patients prefer it. The end result is the same and less appointments. ---
**Author:** ![Section\_Maker\_Jupe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/section_maker_jupe/32/1424_2.png) [@Section\_Maker\_Jupe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Section_Maker_Jupe)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2013, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-root-canals-really-toxic/650576/154 "2013-02-20T02:38:34Z")
I would imagine that these sorts of teeth would just be yanked in the “old” days, prior to RCT? I wonder what the death rate due to this sort of infection was…I seem to recall reading that one of causes of suicide in the middle ages, was due to these jaw/bone infections, as the pain becomes non-localized, and people would kill themselves to make it go away. (perhaps only those who couldnt tolerate the vast amounts of alcohol needed to combat that level of pain:eek:) I had a taste of this pain, before the dentist saved me with a RCT and gold crown. I felt that if I could drill a hole into the upper half of my skull, (no where near where we knew the trouble was) and fish around in there… it would take the pain away. Two days of that pain, before my appointment and I suspect I would almost do anything to make the pain stop. So my sympathies to the OP for his problems, but jeez man, the stuff that is used for filling, gutta percha, is alot safer than the bacteria its replacing. And its better IMHO to have more teeth than less. I now worship my dentist…😃 ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2013, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-root-canals-really-toxic/650576/155 "2013-02-20T03:03:19Z")
Why do we so adamantly feel you are wrong in these beliefs? Because some of us have been watching friends, family, and selves, having root canals too numerous to mention, for over 50 pdd years yet have never heard of anyone suffering the effects you’re claiming must surely follow. In fact I broke a tooth yesterday, the lower, right molar. I will be going to the dentist tomorrow. I may have to get a root canal, I’m hoping not, they are expensive, and a little part of me hates dentistry. But you gotta do what you gotta do! I’m hoping she can fix it in one visit, that would be awesome! So I most sincerely wish you good luck with yours! ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2013, 8:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-root-canals-really-toxic/650576/156 "2013-02-20T08:23:10Z")
I have sad news my friend. My tooth took an amazing turn for the worse and has been hurting like no other toothache ever. It seems like a painful ball is trying to crawl out of tooth. Thankfully I took a lot of pain meds and im not hurting as bad. But sadly I have a root canal at 9:30 am tomorrow. This guy claims to be an endodontist but I dont find much about him in google. The dental group has good reviews on yelp but this guy cannot really be found feedback wise. I can only hope they fix my tooth and I dont suffer the rest of my life from this. I really hope you guys are right and those hundreds of dentist that claim these are toxic are wrong. Have a good night. ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2013, 8:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-root-canals-really-toxic/650576/157 "2013-02-20T08:24:42Z")
Still waiting on that proof… ---
**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 20, 2013, 8:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-root-canals-really-toxic/650576/158 "2013-02-20T08:46:21Z")
I believe it’s true that the longer you ignore a problem like this, the greater the chance that treatment will be unsuccessful - I lost a molar this way - the dentist made brave attempts at a root canal, but couldn’t get the infection/inflammation to settle down (I guess it had found its way under the root and was starting to form an abscess - in the end, the tooth was pulled and I have a bridge there now. I also (tail end of last year) did have a previously root-filled and capped tooth turn bad. I experienced long-term low-level dental pain, but nothing was showing up on X-ray - the dentist tried courses of antibiotics a couple of times, which seemed to settle it down but only for a while. In the end, an abscess formed beneath the root (I reckon there must have been a pocket of infected material inside the bottom of one of the roots) and I had to have it extracted. My general health did noticeably improve a while after this (not straight away, as I suffered dry socket after the extraction), but that was probably because my body was constantly dealing with the infection and mild pain, not because RCTs themselves are toxic. But that was some 15 years after the tooth received its initial RCT - while it lasted, it gave me very little trouble. It’s not a perfect world, but root canal treatments are better than ignoring the problem and trying to make it go away with painkillers. ---
**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 20, 2013, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-root-canals-really-toxic/650576/159 "2013-02-20T13:38:43Z")
> [@ineedthetruth](#): > > I have sad news my friend. My tooth took an amazing turn for the worse …amazingly enough, thwarting the OP’s intention to provide evidence for his toxicity claims. The ways of coincidence are wondrous indeed. :dubious: > [@ineedthetruth](#): > > I really hope you guys are right and those hundreds of dentist that claim these are toxic are wrong. So now it’s “hundreds of dentist(s)”. Let’s see - in a recent year, there were 150,000 dentists licensed to practice in the U.S. alone. If we figure, say, 300 dentists declaring that root canals are toxic, they’d be 0.2% of dentists overall. We’re supposed to listen to their theories and anecdotal claims, rather than believe the remaining 99.8% of dentists? Health woo advocates are good at finding Doctors Who Know The Truth. What you typically find, however, is that the vast majority of these doctors are not physicians or dentists (many have degrees in unrelated fields, like geology or education, or “degrees” they obtained from obscure online universities). And even when you find a Brave Maverick Doctor who actually practices in the field they pontificate about, their theories are based on personal prejudice or anecdotes that they haven’t even bothered to collect to publish in a low-ranking scientific journal. If that’s the sort of “evidence” **ineedthetruth** has collected, he needn’t bother getting up from his sickbed to post it (except for amusement purposes). ---
**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 20, 2013, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-root-canals-really-toxic/650576/160 "2013-02-20T13:44:14Z")
> [@ineedthetruth](#): > > I have one simple question to ask everyone here. Why do you guys 100% consider the information im telling you is false? > > It seems nobody will even consider the notion that root canals are dangerous. Why is that? I am very curious to know why. Thanks One more thing on this, while we’re patiently waiting for the promised evidence… Because it’s the exact same pattern as every other bullshit health scare there has ever been, ie: ZOMG! Artificial sweeteners are KILLING AMERICA! Mobile phones will FRY YOUR BRAIN!!!11!Eleven etc [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-root-canals-really-toxic/650576.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-root-canals-really-toxic/650576.md?page=9)