What Happened When My Root-Canal Teeth Were Pulled
When I had two root canal teeth extracted by my biological dentist, I paid a few hundred dollars for an analysis of what bacteria were found in these "dead" teeth. I want to tell you what I learned when got my results back from the lab in Colorado.
Weighing a Root Canal VS Extraction
In this article:
- Why My Root Canal Failed
- All Root Canals Fail Years Later
- Signs of Root Canal Infection
- What Happens to the Root Canaled Tooth?
- Bacteria Found in the Samples
- When Should You Worry About the Bacteria?
- After the Root Canal Tooth Extraction
Why My Root Canal Failed
My holistic dentist had told me previously that both of my root-canal teeth were failing.1 Since then, I’ve talked to half a dozen other dentists and people who have extensive experience with root canals about why root canals fail.
Dental Damage from Earlier Years
You would think that with all the good health habits I have, I would have better luck with my teeth. I confess to being more than a little disappointed that a bone graft and so much dental work would be required, notwithstanding my earlier years of eating lots of candy, ice cream, and diet soda.
All Root Canals Fail Years Later
But did you know that the EXPECTED time that a root canal lasts is a max of ten years? That’s right—endodontists KNOW that their procedure has a very limited life.
My brother Dave was in an ATV accident where his teeth planted in the steering wheel and killed ten of them. He had root canals on all of them, and guess what happened ten years later?
Yep, they were all failing.
Signs of Root Canal Infection
Sensitivity, blisters on the gum, pain, and even rashes can indicated a failed root canal.
But what about those first ten years? Are those pleomorphic organisms trapped in an anaerobic environment, in a dead organ, really contained during that time? Answer: no, they’re not! “Failing” just means that there are visible, discernible signs of rampant infection and decay. Teeth don't get that way overnight! When a root canal infection is obvious, you can be sure the problem has existed for quite some time.
Failed Root Canal Symptoms
In my case, the signs of infection were mild tooth sensitivity and a blister on the gums covering the tooth. I also had a raging, itchy rash on my trunk and arms that came and went for 2.5 months, until I realized it was related to my teeth.
What Happens to the Root Canaled Tooth?
Have you ever thought about the fact that the tooth is an organ? Biological dentists know this. Each tooth is part of an interconnected meridian in the body. When you decide to keep a dead tooth in your mouth through a root canal, you are truly fossilizing a dead organism in your living mouth. How can we think this won’t cause problems?!
Bacteria Found in the Samples
My test results came back saying that 10 bacteria were detected in the tooth sample. None of them were in the “active” concentration, where the microorganism is alive and well and not being effectively attacked by my immune system.
But two were in the “bright” concentration, which means “heavy concentration of the microorganism.”
The two most worrying bacteria were:
Getting your tooth tested with a bacteria sample can show if your root canal is infected.
Different Bacteria in the Body
I didn't panic about this. The fact is, everybody has candida (a parasitic fungi like yeast), everybody has cancer, most people probably have strep and even MRSA micro-organisms too. Everybody has many yeasts, molds, fungi, viruses, bacteria, and the toxic waste byproducts of those critters in their blood and guts and organs.
Believe it or not, candida can actually have valid functions in the human body. In proportion, when we're talking about tiny amounts in a teeming, healthy ecosystem, it’s not a problem.
When Should You Worry About the Bacteria?
The problem is when those baddies get out of hand, when the good guys in the body, like macrophages and healthy microorganisms, are overcome (by antibiotics! GMO-frankenfoods! sugar-feeding yeast and fungus!) and the baddies get out of control.
Killing tissues/organs such as your teeth, then trapping the bacteria in the teeth, deprived of oxygen, makes the baddies become super-psychos. That’s a gross oversimplification, but a google search on those two bacteria reveal that my own two breeds of baddies cause heart attacks, impaired immune response, and infections!2
Shudder.
After the Root Canal Tooth Extraction
It was weird to be missing two teeth for a while, but I was glad to be rid of the super-psychos.
The dentist offered me an antibiotic the day of my surgery, since he knew the baddies were out and running around. I said no thanks, that I wanted to help my body manage it. And it did. Every time I think of this, I send a gratitude message inward, thanking my body for heroic immune function during a rough patch!
What was the experience like if you’ve ever had a root canal? If you could choose, would you have a root canal or have the tooth extracted? Share your story in the comments section below.
Up Next: How To Find A Good Biological Dentist: 10 Questions To Ask
Robyn Openshaw, MSW, is the bestselling author of The Green Smoothies Diet, 12 Steps to Whole Foods, and 2017’s #1 Amazon Bestseller and USA Today Bestseller, Vibe. Learn more about how to make the journey painless, from the nutrient-scarce Standard American Diet, to a whole-foods diet, in her free video masterclass 12 Steps to Whole Foods.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links that help support the GSG mission without costing you extra. I recommend only companies and products that I use myself.
Sources
- Zehnder, Matthias, and Georgios N Belibasakis. “On the Dynamics of Root Canal Infections-What We Understand and What We Don't.” Virulence, Taylor & Francis, 2015, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4601489/.
- Georgalas, C., Kanagalingam, J., Zainal, A., Ahmed, H., Singh, A., & Patel, K. S. (2002). The Association between Periodontal Disease and Peritonsillar Infection: A Prospective Study. Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, 126(1), 91–94. https://doi.org/10.1067/mhn.2002.121318
Editor's note: This post was originally published on November 23, 2012 and has been updated for quality and relevancy.
Posted in: Dental Health, Detox, Health Concerns, Holistic Care
I don’t know if you remember me but I had a root canal done in October of 2018, and was having health issues. Last Wednesday, September 5, 2019 had old root canal tooth removed and bone graft had to be put in for my jaw not to sink. Anyway went to a biological dentist and had procedure done. I will say as far as I can tell the itching has stopped through out my body, I do feel a little more like my old self, I am sleeping longer at night. Now this is just since Wednesday and today is Sunday. I go back to the dentist on Wednesday to have a check-up and to get info on blood that was drawn while they were doing procedure. I am still taking Tylenol, on ice pack and 5 day antibiotics. My question us about bone grats and success rates and what to expect. Believe me I do not want to face any surprises. Hey give me some feedback back. Thanks
Hi Rita, we would recommend asking your dentist, preferably a holistic dentist, about the success rate of a bone graft and what to expect. Everyone is different and they would be the experts to answer your question based on your dental history.
I’m in Denver.. who is your dentist? I have recurring stomach infections and had learned earlier root canals could be the root cause. I’m currently looking for a bio dentist.
Was wondering if anyone here had digestive issues after having a root canal done? A week after having a tooth done with 4 canals and being on antibiotics I had horrible digestive issues including ecoli and sibo
I have had progressively worse digestive issues since a root canal retreat 3 years ago. Were you tested for sibo? I suspect I have it after rounds of antibiotics for the tooth over the years.
Where can I send my root canal molar to have them tested and what is the cost?
My Endodontist told me that I have a cracked tooth (#19) which is the source of my tooth pain when chewing. He told me that I needed a Root Canal and subsequently a crown over that tooth to ‘fix’ the problem. Prior to my visit, I had already watched the documentary "Root Cause" on Netflix (I was lucky to see it before the powers-that-be took it down). I’ve also done some of my own research regarding Root Canals, how they can fail and their connection to all types of medical problems. I have always been a ‘preventative’ medicine type of gal and would rather do things to promote my health and whenever possible avoid potentially harmful procedures. With all this said, I’ve decided to just have this tooth extracted but I’m not CLEAR on what to do after that!
I know it’s not ideal to leave the space in my mouth – so what’s the better, healthier choice? — to get a Bridge or Implant done? Can an implant also have toxic bacteria implications?
I’m in the process of trying to find a reputable Biological Dentist to get their ‘second opinion’ to what my Endodontist said. Any thoughts would be helpful 🙂
As a side note, I have Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) and have noticed that it’s gotten louder on the same side of my mouth where my cracked, inflamed tooth is. This is another reason that I don’t want to get a root canal — in fear of harmful bacterial causing more inflammation and maybe affecting my Tinnitus.
Thanks GSG! Your website and information is just great!
I am wondering if removing the root canals in a tooth are the same as just extracting that tooth.
Thanks,
Lisa
I had two root canal teeth removed at the end of September and ten amalgams (big ones) replaced with ceramic over the last several months as well. I have had a history of sinus, hypothyroidism and four years ago was diagnosed with late stage lung cancer. My biological dentist believes all of these issues have been caused by my dental health. The root canal teeth were both infected around the roots according to the oral surgeon and one had been in my mouth for around six years and the other twenty? My question is how long after removal of the root canals and the amalgams will my body feel the benefits? I guess more accurately how long does it take to rid the body of those horrible toxins? I have turned my life upside down to heal from the cancer and have made so many positive changes. I think I should have addressed the dental earlier but there are so many areas of your health that you need to address when dealing with a cancer diagnosis that it’s not possible to address everything at one time. And I prefer natural to conventional (surgery wasn’t an option for the cancer and I said no to chemotherapy and radiation). I did do a targeted drug for a year and a half along with several natural treatments but after that have been utilizing natural treatments to deal with the cancer. My body definitely prefers them. With the detoxing I do ongoing for the cancer and now the detoxing from the dental toxins I’d love to hear more about when people noticed a real difference in how they felt. Thank you.
I have had a troublesome tooth for over a year now. It has been filled a couple of times but to no avail. Two weeks ago my dentist performed the first part of a route canal treatment. Then I got a massive abscess on my gum above the tooth. When I went back he obviously couldn’t work on it so he prescribed an antibiotic which I took and the abscess cleared up. I went back yesterday and had the nasty tooth extracted. However. I developed an itch while on the antibiotic. I actually thought it was a reaction to amoxicillin but I’ve never been sentitive to amoxicillin before. The itch was around my groin and bottom, under my arms, forearms and legs. No rash. The tooth is gone 24 hours now. No pain yet and fingers crossed, no dry socket.
Hi there! So I’m really thinking that my root canal has caused enough damage to affect my digestive system. As I write this I can’t bite down in my root canal tooth that was re-done 8 months ago after 30 years. I’m going for blood work and other tests to rule out other infections like HPylori but I’m pretty sure my gastritis like symptoms, depression, fatigue, nausea, headaches, stomach pain, gas, severe bloating and loss of appetite could be linked.
I had my root canal done 8 years ago.two months ago the tooth chipped so I decided to have a ceramic tooth crown. So I visited my dentist and he started preparing the tooth to do so . After a week I got a fever of 40 degrees Celsius, rash and joint pains. The doctors suspected Still disease and now lupus. I’m a wreck of a human, because of the stress. rheumatologist gave me steroids and immuno suppressive medications. Then I met an immunologists who asked me about any roots canals. So I visited the best dentist in my town who listened to me carefully and did me a MRI scan of my teeth. He noticed some artefact next to the root and decided to remove the tooth. So we did 7days ago. Together with my rheumatologists we decided to quit the medications and now I am waiting for my body’s reaction. I’m holding my breath waiting for a miracle to happen.Without steroids my CRP was raising showing inflammation in my body. Has anyone here had similar problems? Oh, and I developed Hashimoto disease few years ago, so I must have some immune disorders. What is more, it seems I wasn’t feeling ok since that tooth done. I became weaker, no energy and my blood tests were showing some inflammation occasionally. I’m going to do blood tests in three days.
Hello, anyone?
Choosing a Dentist in Adelaide can make all the difference between a pleasant experience and a bad one. This may have an effect on your dental requirements and prevents good dental health. Many people find dentist through phonebooks or will choose dentist at random local dentist. You can also choose from the list of dentist on your community to provide dental services. Although you can find a good dentist this way, choosing a dentist should be more careful than just selecting your dentist at random. So how should I choose a dentist
You have to visit a crisis dental specialist when there is an emergency. While you are confronting a physical issue to your teeth you have to visit a crisis dental specialist in Chermside and not smother it taking agony executioners. From the start you can visit your family doctor and afterward cause a meeting with a dental specialist to go further to take care of the issue. This is significant as a dental center is outfitted with trend setting innovation explicitly intended to deal with oral wounds. Specialists will ensure that you no further experience any sort of agony. For example, if your youngster is encountering horrifying teeth torment, it gets inescapable to hold up until the morning to visit a specialist. Crisis dental specialists investigate the issue with need and take care of the issue.
I had a root canal I think about 8 to 10 years ago. Had I known then what I know now I would have had the tooth pulled. At the time, I had no issues with the procedure and suffered no ill effects. Having learned about the bacteria that could build up, I am leaning toward getting it checked out now. I still have four mercury-based fillings that I am trying to get replaced (had five but ended up having to get one of the teeth pulled). I have had nothing but problems with my teeth since I had those amalgam fillings put in in college (I am now in my 60s) – extreme sensitivity and periodontal disease, which I am convinced is associated with the fillings. So, time to get the root canal tooth looked at too! And then do a metal detox.
Is this why I ‘all of a sudden’ developed Sinus issues at the age of 55 (never before had any) after a Root Canal?
Forgot to add, this has been going on for 10 years now …
In my opinion. I would say it’s a definite possibility. Reason being around age 23 I started experiencing excruciating headaches. I thought it was part of life, just getting older. Age 28 I get a dental implant on my molar. I knew I had a cavity. Didn’t know it was rotting and probably had tons of bacteria. The implant changed my life. It was as if a dark fog lifted from my mind. No more head aches. Your teeth are so incredibly important to your overall health. I went six years with bacteria in my tooth, who knows how many years that shaved off my life. So to answer your question, just get your root canal teeth replaced with implants. You may find that was the problem.