After learning about adverse health issues associated with root canals, our daughter chose to have hers removed. We’re glad she did.
In May of 2007, our then 7th-grade daughter tripped and fell during indoor track practice, cracking her front tooth.
Accidents like this were not uncommon in our family. Our struggles with coordination and balance would only become apparent in hindsight.
An attempt was made to save her tooth, but it soon became apparent that the tooth was dying. The dentist advised a root canal. We didn’t think twice.
Kristen had been our “seizure child,” developing complex partial seizure disorder soon after our move to Colorado. A root canal seemed like a minor issue in comparison.
One year after her root canal we vacated our home. Her seizures abated, and for the first time in seven years she was off all seizure medications. She was struggling with knee pain, however, and wore a knee brace most of the time. She was fatigued and struggled with mood. The mold exposure had taken its toll on Kristen, just as it had on the rest of us.
As I searched intensively for real options to recover our health, I came across an article titled “The Effect of Root Canals on Health” by Paul Pitchford in his book Healing with Whole Foods. According to Pitchford:
. . . root canals may cause dangerous weakening of the internal organs; people with seriously imbalanced health who have had root canals performed or recommended should consider how to treat this dental problem as a priority in their healing process.
(Dr. Joseph Mercola presents a more detailed look at the hazards of root canals here.)
The idea that Kristen’s tooth #8 was holding back her recovery was a new thought. New and overwhelming. I made an appointment with a holistic dentist. “It looks fine to me,” he reassured me. “I think you’re fine to leave it.” It was exactly what I wanted to hear, but I still felt unsettled.
We began an aggressive “attack” on Kristen’s knees through acupuncture. We also launched an all-out offensive with a strong anti-fungal diet, eliminating all grains, fruits, nuts, and sugars.
Kristen began to turn the corner. Her knees improved, her fatigue improved slightly, and she began to show signs of new life.
But there was something missing. Something holding her back. She showed very few signs of detox. No rashes like the rest of us. I thought again about her root canal and made an appointment with a different holistic dentist. He advised against extraction, suggesting a crown because of her age and the obvious cosmetic issue with front tooth #8.
I couldn’t get past the nagging feeling that something was wrong with the root canal. And if I’ve learned anything in these last four years, it’s to listen to that feeling.
The Hazards of Root Canals
I continued to research and came across the website Huggins Applied Healing. (Dr. Huggins is one of the world’s most controversial dentists because of his stand on mercury fillings.) I read an article that shed some light on the issue of root canals, stating:
Extremely toxic anaerobic bacteria have been found and identified in and around root canals.
I called the Huggins office and requested a referral for a dentist in Arizona. I found one in Phoenix. Upon checking this dentist’s website, I found a meridian tooth chart which shows the relationship between specific teeth and the rest of the body. According to the chart, tooth #8 has a direct relationship with the knee. In addition, tooth #8 is linked to conceptual connections and a whole host of emotional issues which have plagued Kristen for the last several years.
Kristen’s Decision
I felt sure the tooth needed to go. But what about Kristen? I presented her with the options.
1. Keep the root canal and get a crown, which will successfully deal with the tooth discoloration.
2. Extract the tooth and have a removable fake tooth.
She thought for a moment. “I think I would feel better without the tooth.” She said it with strong conviction. I knew she was on board.
Kristen’s tooth was extracted on May 31. It should have been a traumatic experience. Perhaps because a missing tooth pales in comparison to losing a home, health, and a community of friends, Kristen took the surgery in stride. In fact, later in the day she looked at me, smiled with a big toothless grin, and said, “I feel better.”
A cloud had lifted from Kristen. The change was dramatic. Even one of the dental assistants commented the next day, “Kristen, you look better!”
Three days after the extraction Kristen began to show signs of die-off—the evidence of detox we had been waiting to see. She grew feverish and broke out in numerous rashes.
The symptoms slowly passed and Kristen continued to show signs of new strength and health. With tooth #8 now sitting in a Ziploc bag, Kristen has a new lease on life and an empowering story to tell.
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This is a very good example of following your gut, kudos to you! You have a beautiful daughter and I can only image how nice it is to have had such success with her healing. I’m very happy to have found your website 🙂
Sadly, I have heard too many stories of friends in their 30s and 40s dying within weeks of root canal. It’s so incredibly sad that people are not informed properly or do not take the time to research about their health.
So nice to hear from you, Jeanne! Without our crisis I would have gone on believing everything I was told. I agree it’s very sad.
Oh my goodness! Thank you for sharing her story. How frightening to learn of this. Many of us in my family have had root canals. :O(
From what I understand it’s something to look at if health declines. Some people live fine with their root canals.
Hi! This story is truly inspiring for me. I had a root canal, also on my front tooth #8 in fact, when I was about 14. I will be 23 soon and I have been contemplating having it removed for a while now. I would like to get a dental implant in it’s place, but these are expensive, and where I live there aren’t any biological dentists that use implants made with more safe, biocompatible materials. So I haven’t done it because I don’t know how to replace the crown after. Your daughter is so brave, at that age I never would’ve accepted having that tooth removed like that. I wish I could go just now and have the root canal removed because I know I will feel so much better, but I don’t know what to do after.
Roxana,
Kristen wears her tooth anytime she goes out and looks quite cute without her tooth when she’s home. It has become part of her life and something she enjoys telling people. You can look her up on Facebook and talk more about it with her if you would like!
I believe implants might be just as bad if not worse. My friend who was extremely healthy, didn’t smoke or drink alcohol…got an implant. He also got sarcoidosis of his lungs a few months later. He died about a year later.
Hello- my husband got an implant and 2 month later got diagnosed with sarcoidosis in his lymph nodes. I am believe that the implant was the reason- my husband doesn’t.
An insult to the immune system can offer trigger or contribute to other issues. So much mystery when it comes to our health. But it certainly is interesting that the two were so close together.
Thank you for sharing this story and inspiring others to investigate this link. I’ve treated many patients and can only hope that our profession wakes up to these facts. It’s still in denial about mercury fillings. I’m surprised (and dismayed) to read that 2 holistic dentists you consulted with did not see the link.
Hopefully your research has led you to a permanent non-metal solution to replacing her natural tooth with a zirconia dental implant and an all-ceramic crown. The CeraRoot system has been available in North America for about 5 years and has proven to offer a beautiful healthy enhancement to our smiles. Another company called Z System is recently available in the USA and hopefully is coming to us in Canada soon. Another company called Straumann may soon be introducing their zirconia dental implants to North America. Of course these companies have been certified in Europe for many years. Fortunately we are on the cusp of a healthy revolution in dentistry.
Thanks so much for the information! We will definitely look into this. She’s doing great with her flipper still – but this is a nice option to have.
We need more dentists like yourself. I am grateful for the important work you are doing in your field.
Last March I had a tooth pulled that contained a root canal. I have 1 left that will soon be pulled. The thought of those anaerobic bacteria in my gum. … Was all I needed to know… Yes the chart is fascinating. My DDS was friends with Dr Huggins before he died. Go Kristin!
Thanks for the input, Mary. Sounds like we’re on the same page. 🙂
Andrea; do you know of anyone reliable in the Tucson area who does this kind of work beside Dr. Swidler? I am looking for someone reasonable and knowledgeable. If not, who did you see in Phoenix please? Thank you.
We had Dr. Quintia in Tucson remove the tooth. Dr. Swidler’s office made the temporary tooth (that she is still using). We never went to Phoenix. Both went along with the tooth removal, but didn’t necessarily agree.
The dentist who offers the meridian chart that I link to is in Phoenix. I was really impressed with their office, but didn’t want to drive there.
This is really interesting. My two front teeth were starting to show damage due to how they fit against my bottom teeth, so I made the decision to have orthodontics to straighten them and prevent further damage. I really do not want any root canals in my mouth.
I had a root canal when i was 14 in tooth number 14 my molar. I have to silver fillings as well still from when i was a child in two more of my molars. I am now 27 and have slowly been gaining so many health problems that no matter what i can not seem to fix. the problems all consist with my stomach large intestines kidneys and liver. And that corresponds with the meridians chart. I believe it. Ive been debating for a few years if i should have my root canal removed. I definitely want to i already have an appointment to get my fillings removed in 2 weeks. The root canal is more expensive and ive been trying to find a good holistic dentist for the job that will work with my situation. I do not have dental insurance. I live in Colorado. I know you mentioned you use to live here, so if you know of a reputable dentist.
Hi Nicole. I wish I had a resource for you. We didn’t go with a biological dentist since even he didn’t suggest removing the root canal. You’ll get the answers you need. You’re wise to be thinking along this line.
If you have been exposed to toxic mold, with the way it impacts the body’s immune system, do you know if there have been any links found between absesses and mold? A root cananl of a molar has been suggested and I have been learning that is not a good idea. I need to make a wise decision on this!
Thanks!
This is all microbial at its root, so absolutely the mold exposure can “feed” abscesses or any other internal microbial problem. You are wise to consider this line of thinking, Natalie.
Did your daughter have to take antibiotics during this procedure?
I had a root canal removed by a bio dentist almost a month ago. Unfortunately, the implant (Zirconium) has to wait four months because my bone was almost gone. They did a bone graf, and I have to wait until that heals. I have to eat with a plastic guard in my mouth, not fun, hard to find soft foods. I’m pretty much paleo, oatmeal is out.
I had to take amoxicillin. I think it woke up my Borrelia and gave me terrible nightmares. I’m working on healing my gut as I’ve done for 2 years now. I hate that I have to go back, get the implant and probably more antibiotics.
We didn’t use the antibiotics as we felt it all went smoothly. They should leave the decision up to you as to whether or not you take antibiotics. We used acupuncture and herbs for healing.