One Toxic Tooth Can Affect Your General Health

At conferences dedicated to the treatment of neurological diseases, I have often heard presentations about what can affect brain function—both positively and negatively. Almost every one of these meetings raised the issue of dental problems, which initially seemed unusual to me. However, over time, I became seriously interested in this topic. There is no consensus among specialists yet, but in this article, I will share the information I know about the connection between chronic diseases and filled root canals, as well as my personal experience.

The connection between chronic diseases and filled root canals

Specialists working with complex chronic conditions suggest that many pathologies, including autoimmune diseases, breast cancer, and cardiovascular diseases, may be linked to dental issues, particularly those with filled root canals. Chronic diseases are often thought to begin due to infections or toxins spreading throughout the body from such teeth. For effective chronic disease treatment, specialists recommend considering the condition of the teeth and oral cavity, as removing sources of infection can contribute to long-term health improvements.

I first learned that dental issues could be the cause of many diseases, both in adults and children, from an environmental doctor who helped treat my child with autism. He told me that teeth with filled root canals should be removed because they are infected. Even if these teeth don’t hurt, he claimed, they can shorten life. This was Dr. Jozef Krop, MD (retired, Ontario).

Several years later, at an autism conference, I heard a report about a test to identify infections in such teeth. The presentation stated that after the nerve is removed, the tooth becomes a fragment of dead tissue without blood supply, as the blood vessels are also removed. Over time, the enamel of these teeth becomes porous. The speaker demonstrated microscopic images of both “living” teeth and teeth with removed nerves more than five years after filling. The images clearly showed that after filling, teeth lose their solid structure, becoming spongy. According to the presentation, food debris gets trapped in the pores of these teeth, and bacteria settle in. It is impossible to remove them, and the tooth cannot be restored to its original solid structure.

Problems with root canal treatment

Many specialists believe that despite the widespread use of root canal treatment, the procedure has serious drawbacks. The main problem is that it is impossible to completely sterilize the root canal system. Even the most experienced dentists cannot clean all the micro-tubular channels of the tooth, which may remain infected with bacteria.

Each tooth contains more than ten kilometres of microtubules (dentinal tubules), which can be a potential source of bacterial infection. These channels are large enough for bacteria to enter, but too small for complete sterilization. This creates a favorable environment for bacteria to multiply inside the tooth.

At that time, I had three teeth with filled root canals. I experienced constant fatigue, memory problems, “brain fog,” and difficulty concentrating. Additionally, there were panic attacks, dependence on antidepressants, and other symptoms that I attributed to the stress of caring for my child with autism. However, many of these problems began long before his birth.

Root Canal and the Loss of Tooth Vitality

According to specialists, the main issue with root canal treatment is that the dentist essentially “kills” the tooth by removing the nerve, pulp, and connective tissue. As a result, the tooth loses its vitality, becoming a dead organ that no longer feels pain, but still contains infection.
The absence of pain after nerve removal does not mean the tooth is safe. Although it may not hurt, the infection inside the tooth can continue to develop, remaining a source of chronic infection.

So, back to the report. According to the speaker, there were other reasons that made such teeth a haven for infections. These included:

• Poorly cleaned or sealed canals, where tools cannot reach the end, or when the canal becomes too narrow.
• The presence of additional roots, which are highly individual and may be overlooked during filling.
• Infected cysts on the roots, which are not visible on 2D X-rays due to obstructing objects. Not every office has 3D X-ray equipment.
• The use of toxic and low-quality materials for filling.

Everything added up. My first tooth was filled over 10 years ago, long before my child was born. Before treatment, it had darkened inside and no longer hurt, although it had previously been sensitive to cold and heat. I postponed seeing a dentist, but when I finally went, the dentist said the nerve had died, which is why I didn’t feel pain. That’s why the filling was done without anesthesia. I was so afraid of injections that I agreed to treatment without numbing. The tooth was opened, arsenic was placed to kill the nerve, and treatment continued without anesthesia two days later. A highly toxic substance was placed into the roots to destroy what the arsenic hadn’t. The dentist didn’t dare insert the instrument deeper since I had refused anesthesia. Now, after learning the information from the report, I have no doubt that this tooth was the cause of many of my problems.

Problems with Radiography

The limitation of standard dental X-ray equipment, which provides only a two-dimensional image of the tooth, makes it impossible to see all potential pathologies. In contrast, the use of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), a three-dimensional method, can detect infections and other issues that are not visible on regular X-rays.

This entire story took place in Ukraine right after the collapse of the USSR when three-dimensional devices were not yet available. A regular X-ray was taken, and the dentist noticed nothing suspicious. She filled the canals and was advised to visit again if pain or discomfort arose, such as sensitivity to hot or cold drinks. This advice proved helpful and allowed me to avoid canal fillings, managing with simple tooth treatment instead.

Risks to the Immune System from Root Canal Treatment

According to specialists, root canal treatment disrupts the blood supply and nerve support of the tooth, depriving the immune system of the ability to control infection. The tooth becomes an incubator for bacteria that can worsen the patient’s health. These bacteria produce toxins as a byproduct of their metabolism. Any additional strain on the immune system diverts its resources from other issues in the body, opening the door for other infections and detoxification problems.

In those years, I was often ill, but who could have thought that this was the result of improper dental treatment, especially when we couldn’t even afford proper nutrition? Therefore, I was not at all surprised that I had neither energy nor strength.

Saving a Tooth at Any Cost

Traditional dentistry focuses on preserving the tooth, even if it requires root canal treatment, despite the potential presence of chronic infection. This practice originally stemmed from wealthier individuals not wanting to be without teeth, as there were no reliable methods to replace a lost tooth for a long time. Even now, removing dead tissue from the body is not commonly considered, which can be critical for overall health.

I quickly forgot about this tooth because it didn’t hurt and caused me no problems. Its colour was different from the others, gray, but no one could see it since it was the 5th tooth—what’s the difference? Of course, I didn’t want to even think about removing it when I was in my early 20s. But at the time, I never heard that such teeth could cause health problems. I frequently had sore throats and was diagnosed with arrhythmia.

Impact of Dental Problems on the Whole Body

Teeth are crucial to overall health because they are connected to the lymphatic, circulatory, and nervous systems. Teeth develop from the same tissues as the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, so inflammation or infection in them can affect various organs, including the brain, thyroid, heart, and others.

This explains why patients with infected teeth often don’t experience tooth pain but may suffer from various conditions such as arthritis, fatigue, heart disease, and even cancer. These diseases can be linked to chronic infection in the root canal, which doesn’t show obvious symptoms in the tooth but impacts other body systems.

At that time, I was working as a programmer. I don’t think I would have been able to take on any other job due to my condition. Even sitting at the computer was difficult because I suffered from severe back pain. I often took time off work, lay on my stomach, placed the computer in front of me, and continued working in that position. I was valued at the company; the important thing was that the work was done, not how or where. At the same time, my joints started to inflame, and the pain became so severe that I couldn’t leave the house for several days. Doctors dismissed it, saying that such problems don’t occur at my age. Then, on the advice of an acquaintance (a doctor), I started using indomethacin cream, which helped relieve pain and reduce inflammation in my joints.

Testing of Teeth with Root Canal Fillings

At the conference, a testing method was discussed that allows for checking the level of infection in any tooth. Dr. Boyd Haley, in his Infinity Labeling Technologies laboratory, developed a method in which a cotton swab was inserted under a tooth with a root canal, removed to collect a fluid sample, and sent for analysis to detect the release of toxic substances. However, this laboratory no longer exists.

Later, I learned that the FDA made efforts to close the lab. I don’t want to delve into this topic, but we may soon learn more about potential corruption within the FDA and the reasons behind their lab closures rather than investigating the problem. Keep an eye on the news from the US—there have been many questions over the past 25 years.

Enzyme Blockage Test

The testing involved studying the effects of biotoxins released from teeth with root canals. A system was used to analyze the impact of these toxins on six enzymes involved in the Krebs cycle—a process that generates energy for cells. Blocking these enzymes hinders normal energy production in cells.

The laboratory specialists found that toxins from teeth with treated root canals, according to the specialists, blocked the function of enzymes involved in the Krebs cycle. The average enzyme blockage level could reach over 90%, indicating high toxicity. In contrast to teeth with live canals, which were used as a control group for test accuracy and were removed for orthodontic reasons (such as creating space for other teeth), these teeth did not show such an effect.

For a specialist with a medical background, it is obvious that blocking the Krebs cycle will lead to numerous problems and symptoms. This cycle is so important that embryos with congenital mutations in this cycle simply do not survive.

For me, as someone in my early 30s who did not want to part with three of my natural teeth, it was extremely tempting to take the test to confirm whether they were indeed infected. I had no doubt about one tooth; it was my first candidate for “toxic” status. The other two teeth had never hurt, and the canals were sealed because the dentist had come too close to the pulp— the soft part of the tooth. I was told there was no other way, the nerves had to be removed. Since I knew nothing about the harm of sealing canals at the time, I agreed without hesitation. Now I realize that both of these teeth could have been saved. One was done a couple of years later after my toxic black tooth, and the other in Canada two years after we arrived. These were the teeth I wanted to test. I was almost sure they were fine. They looked quite healthy, their colour was normal, and neither had ever hurt or shown signs of inflammation.

Why Dentists Don’t Warn About Health Risks After Root Canal Treatments?

Dentists, like other specialists, are usually trained to focus only on their part of health—i.e., the teeth. They do not deal with issues like sinus inflammation, tonsils, or brain-related problems. Therefore, they do not ask about chronic sinus infections, sleep apnea, or mental-emotional problems that may develop after root canal treatment. The average dentist does not assume that anxiety, panic attacks, and depression could be related to dental treatment.

I found a biological dentist who conducted the necessary testing for me. I made an appointment to test my “good” teeth with sealed canals. However, to my surprise, the dentist refused to perform the test. He explained that obtaining materials for analysis was very difficult now. He knew that the result would be the same—any tooth with a sealed canal, if it had been there for more than 5 years, was infected.

Even if the tooth was not initially inflamed, and the canals had been treated because the filling was too close to the pulp, the doctor advised me to visit an orthodontic surgeon who properly removes teeth to avoid cavitations, and simply remove all teeth with sealed canals. That’s how I ended up with a wonderful surgeon who eventually removed all 7 of my teeth. Why 7? I still had wisdom teeth, which the surgeon also recommended removing.

How Cavitations Form

After a tooth extraction, proper healing is only possible if the dentist removes the periodontal ligament. If this is not done, the remaining ligament obstructs proper healing and the formation of healthy bone, creating a cavity. This cavity can be filled with toxic substances, bacteria, and fungal infections.

The primary cause of cavitations is improper healing after tooth extraction when the periodontal ligament isn’t removed. The second cause is infections related to root canals that can penetrate into the bone, creating cavities. Cavitations most commonly form after wisdom teeth extractions but can also occur in other areas where tooth roots were removed.

These cavitations can become sources of chronic infections and toxins that enter the bloodstream and can cause serious diseases. Some believe they may be linked to the development of neurological conditions, such as multiple sclerosis.

The extraction was performed under local anesthesia, and I had two teeth removed at a time from one side. The only mistake the surgeon made was not prescribing antibiotics after removing the first two teeth (including my blackened tooth). A few days later, pus began to discharge from the gums. I returned to the office, and the procedure was corrected. I then took antibiotics, and no further issues occurred. Nowadays, prescribing antibiotics after tooth extractions, even in the absence of visible infection, is the standard. Technically, the body doesn’t need an infection to cause inflammation — damaged tissue alone is enough to release mitochondria into the extracellular space, which is sufficient to trigger inflammation. However, this information was not well known at that time.

So, my teeth were removed, and the surgeon drilled into the bone until he encountered solid tissue. Within 3-6 months, new bone was supposed to form, which would prevent the creation of empty spaces where infections typically accumulate. These spaces are inaccessible to the immune system because they lack blood supply. If bacteria penetrate and start forming a biofilm, no course of antibiotics will help.

Individual Susceptibility to Toxins

The question of why some people experience issues after root canal treatments while others don’t is related to individual susceptibility to toxins. This is due to the fact that each person’s immune system reacts differently to toxic substances. Part of this is influenced by genetics, as well as exposure to other sources of toxins, including environmental toxins. Therefore, some people may handle infections and toxins from root canals without significant issues, while for others, even one such tooth can heavily strain the immune system and cause health problems.

Meanwhile, there was a gap of several years between when I first learned about potential problems with filled root canals and when I decided to remove those teeth. During that time, I thoroughly checked information, studied various sources, listened to reports by scientists and practicing dentists, and communicated with renowned doctors who dealt with chronic health issues. Ultimately, I realized that a doctor, especially a dentist, must have great courage to speak out about this, even in private conversations, let alone in the press or at conferences. The system meant to protect patients from unethical professionals is now also being used to control healthcare workers, limiting their freedom of speech. A dentist who publicly expresses concerns about the potential dangers of filling root canals may lose their license to practice.

After Removing a Tooth with a Root Canal

Removing a tooth with a root canal is just the first step in the healing process. The tooth may be properly removed, but the patient doesn’t always feel immediate relief. Specialists explain this by the fact that damage has already been done, and the recovery process requires more comprehensive measures, such as detoxifying the body from toxins and biofilms, supporting liver and kidney function, and using saunas, chelation, fasting, vitamin IVs, and glutathione IVs to maintain overall health.

Did the removal of filled canals improve my health? Not immediately, but the situation began to improve. Combined with a gluten-free diet and other procedures, including intensive use of an infrared sauna, the removal of the canals led to many positive results. Afterward, I was able to learn English and earn a medical degree in naturopathic medicine. Now I feel significantly better than I did in my youth. It was during this period that the “brain fog” disappeared, which made me feel detached from what was happening — as if I were watching a movie in which I also had to participate.

What to do if root canals are filled poorly?

There is no universal answer to this question. First and foremost, one should always try to avoid root canal fillings. If you regularly get professional teeth cleanings, problems are usually identified before they reach the root canal. If a problem does arise, there are safer alternatives for health. In my work with each dentist, I always inform them that root canal fillings negatively impacted my health, and I had them removed, vowing never to get them again. Fortunately, modern technologies allow teeth to be filled without disturbing the canals, even if the doctor is close to the pulp, and crowns can be placed on teeth where the canal is preserved. If your dentist is not familiar with such methods, it’s worth seeking another specialist. Find a dentist in advance because, in an emergency, you won’t have time for research.

In 2019, a friend told me she watched the movie “The Root Cause” and was shocked by the information about root canal fillings and their effects on health. She recommended I watch it as well. I replied that I had spent years gathering and verifying information on the topic and didn’t expect to learn anything new from the movie. However, after watching it, I was pleasantly surprised by how much the information matched what I had found over the years. I agree with the safe alternatives suggested in the film and know that zirconia implants are the best choice compared to titanium ones. Initially, they were unavailable in Canada, and later they were fragile compared to titanium. Now, according to my information, zirconia implants’ hardness is comparable to that of titanium. Despite some drawbacks that still exist with these implants, I chose zirconia ones and had them placed 16 years after my teeth were removed. Additionally, I didn’t need bone grafting — no cavitations formed in the bone. Since then, I haven’t had any new health issues.

“The Root Cause” Film

I recommend watching the film The Root Cause for those wanting to learn more about the impact of root canals on health. It may be helpful to watch it multiple times to take note of practical advice on choosing dentists and safe treatment alternatives. After that, make sure to take time to verify the information and form your own opinion. Look for professionals who won’t tell you that dental issues can’t affect your health. There are dentists out there who share your approach to dental treatment; you just need to find one who aligns with your views.

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