20
Apr
3 surprising benefits of root canals that go beyond the teeth
Look, we know no one ever says that root canal treatment is “fun.” The conditions that lead to the need for treatment are anything but. Trust Pleasant Dental® when we say that this treatment gets you out of not-so-fun conditions and situations. Removing infected or damaged parts of the tooth stops the pain at its source. This treatment keeps your tooth intact. The benefits of “root canals” at our Dolton, Illinois office do not stop there. Turns out, treatment can help your mouth and your overall health in at least three ways that we’ve listed below.
1 – Keeps blood sugar in check
65 patients who had root canals were studied for two years. In this study, researchers found that there were significant long-term improvements in these patients’ blood sugar levels. We have known for a long time that bacteria in the mouth do not stay put. They use the bloodstream to travel anywhere and, once circulating, these harmful germs make it harder for your body to control blood sugar levels. What wasn’t so clear in the past was whether root canal treatment had benefits beyond just removing the infection inside the tooth. Now, the research suggests successful treatment contributes to meaningful, positive, and sustained changes in how the body processes glucose/blood sugar. Since this is a key indicator of diabetes, anything that we can do to promote healthy blood sugar levels is great – it may have a positive effect on preventing this disease or stopping it from getting worse. It certainly will not hurt!
2 – Keeps your “ticker” healthy
In the same study, patients who were successfully treated with root canals also had big improvements in their cholesterol and fatty acid levels. These fats are key indicators of heart health. When fats build up, they can constrict blood flow, and your heart has to work that much harder just to function, to pump blood. This stress on the heart is associated with all sorts of nasty complications. Not all cholesterol or fats are the same. Some are actually healthy and can have a protective effect, helping to prevent conditions like cardiovascular disease. But high levels of LDL cholesterol or triglycerides have the opposite effect; they can build up in the arteries and increase your risk of heart disease. Chronic infections take a toll on your whole “system” and cause changes in your body that are associated with increases in “bad” fats. So, you can see how getting rid of the infection can protect your heart and not just your smile.
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3 – Fights inflammation
These same researchers also found improvements in signs of inflammation in the blood. Such markers show how the immune system is responding to infection, injury, or disease. When harmful bacteria reach the roots of the teeth, your immune system kicks into action. If this infection persists or becomes chronic, the body goes into low-grade inflammation mode. Think of this as a constant, simmering response that is never fully switched off. Chronic inflammation takes a big toll on just about any part of the body, and is associated with diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, arthritis, and many conditions and symptoms too numerous to mention here. By getting rid of the infection inside a damaged tooth, Pleasant Dental® also reduces the burden placed on your body from dangerous inflammation.
Our team in Dolton, IL keeps your mouth healthy and the rest of you healthy, too! It’s all connected, so there are lots of opportunities for us to get your smile on track and to get you feeling better. Call (708) 576-1900 to speak with us today.
Dean Dietrich, DMD
Dr. Dean Dietrich has been practicing dentistry since 1986, when he received his Doctor of Dental Medicine from Southern Illinois University's School of Dental Medicine. He had completed his undergraduate studies in business marketing and management at Michigan State University from 1978 to 1982.He opened Pleasant Dental in 2003 to provide excellent dental care and value for his patients. He is especially skilled and experienced with root canals, implants, and handling dental anxiety.
Dr. Dietrich is a member of the American Dental Association, Illinois State Dental Society, Chicago Dental Society, and the Indian Dental Association. He is licensed in Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan and has orthodontic certification from the Academy of GP Orthodontics. Multiple agencies have recognized him annually as one of America’s Top Dentists.
