Why a Root Canal Could Protect More Than Your Tooth, Say Dentists
Most people think of a root canal as a way to save a painful tooth, full stop. New research suggests the benefits may reach much further than that, touching parts of your health that have nothing to do with your mouth.
At By The Lake Dental, our dentists and dental team have always treated infected teeth as something worth addressing promptly, and recent findings give that urgency an even stronger reason.
What Happens When a Root Canal Infection Goes Untreated
A root canal becomes necessary when bacteria infect the innermost part of a tooth and the surrounding tissue. According to a review published in the Journal of the Canadian Dental Association, an acute apical abscess can cause pain and may show radiographic changes; if untreated, a periapical infection can progress and lead to systemic complications.
What the New Research From King's College London Found
Researchers at King's College London, in a study published in the Journal of Translational Medicine, followed 65 patients from Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust for two years after they received root canal treatment, tracking detailed blood markers throughout. Over that period, patients showed improvements in blood sugar control, along with short-term improvements in cholesterol and circulating fats. Markers of inflammation, the kind commonly linked to heart disease and other long-term conditions, gradually declined as well.
Why This Goes Beyond the Tooth Itself
The researchers proposed that a dental infection may affect health beyond the mouth. Bacteria from an infected root can enter the bloodstream and may contribute to inflammation. Researchers at King's College London noted that this inflammation is associated with increased risk factors for both cardiovascular disease and difficulty regulating blood sugar. The study describes oral health as connected to overall health, not separate from it.
What to Expect If You Need a Root Canal
If the idea of a root canal makes you anxious, the reality tends to be less dramatic than the reputation. The NHS confirms that the procedure is carried out under local anaesthetic and explains that, without treatment, an infected tooth may need to be removed.
Putting off a root canal may put the tooth at risk and may mean it needs to be removed. Contact By The Lake Dental, your favourite dental office in Ajax and Scarborough, and book your appointment today.
Why choose By The Lake Dental:
✅ +15 years caring for our community’s oral health needs
✅ A Platinum+ Invisalign dental office
✅ Direct billing to benefit provider
✅ Cutting-edge technology
✅ Full service family care
✅ Concierge experience
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Call us today: Ajax 905-428-2111, Highland Creek 416-284-8282.
By The Lake Dental is your family’s one-stop dental office for everything your smile needs, including children’s dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, tooth extractions, oral hygiene, dental implants, orthodontics and Invisalign, mouthguards, root canal therapy, tooth restoration, temporomandibular disorder treatment, and more!
