A root canal is a treatment performed by dentists with the purpose of repairing a tooth that is severely decayed or infected. During this procedure, the nerve of the tooth along with its pulp are removed, the cavity formed is than cleaned and sealed. Sometimes there are no symptoms suggesting the need for a root canal, while other times the person will experience significant tooth pain when chewing, sensitivity to cold or hot, pain lasting more than usual, inflammation around the affected tooth or a change in the color-the tooth becoming either discolored or darker. Without a root canal, the damaged tooth will likely break down and the bacteria will grow within the pulp chamber causing local infection, dental abscess or may spread to other organs. Research studies also show a root canal and cancer link that should not be ignored.
How safe are they?
While the American Dental Association claims that root canal is a safe procedure, an increasing amount of research proves otherwise. Studies suggesting the dangers of root canal started over one hundred years ago, and Dr. Price was one of the first dentists to show the link between root canal and various diseases. He extensively traveled and researched the importance of healthy diets and dental health in many populations all around the world. He also found that the tooth still remains infected even after root canal procedure. He noted that his patients were feeling better and chronic diseases were reversed when they had removed the tooth treated with root canal. His explanation is simple: it is mechanically impossible to perfectly clean the tooth from bacterial infections before a root canal. As a result, the bacteria were remaining in the tooth, grow, and in time, cause chronic illnesses.
The link between root canal and cancer
The link between root canal and cancer was further investigated by Dr. R. Jones. He found an astonishing finding in breast cancer patients after a five year study involving 300 subjects. 93 percent of women with breast cancer had documented root canal procedures, 7 percent of them had other oral pathology and cancerous tumors. Astonishingly, the cancer occurred on the same side of the body as the root canal(s) or other oral pathology were present. Dr. Jones explained that the toxins from bacteria infecting the affected tooth inhibits certain proteins that suppress the growth of cancer. Another physician, Dr. J. Issels recorded similar results: 97 percent of his cancer patients treated during 40 years of practice had root canals. This conclusion suggest that many cases of cancer could be treated simply by extracting the tooth with root canal.
Solution
The best option is always prevention. You can prevent the need for root canal by practicing a good personal dental hygiene and visit your dentist periodically so he/she can treat the tooth in the early stage without removing the root of the tooth.
The only alternative to root canal is to have the tooth extracted and replaced with a bridge, implant or partial denture.
References:
http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/dental-root-canals
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2012/02/18/dangers-of-root-canaled-teeth.aspx#_edniv
