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The dental procedure that could improve blood sugar control
If you’re someone who has experienced a root canal, you know how unpleasant they can be.
Unfortunately, they’re often a necessary evil to protect a damaged or infected tooth. But this procedure isn’t just crucial for oral health…
Root canal infections can allow bacteria to enter the bloodstream, which can lead to systemic inflammation and potential health consequences beyond the mouth.
In fact, an international team of researchers has discovered a link between the microbes in a root canal infection and a key marker of metabolic health.
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Root canal and blood sugar control
High blood sugar is a leading risk factor for heart attacks and strokes. Despite all we know about how to avoid it, including diet and exercise, cases of type 2 diabetes and prediabetes just keep rising.
Could it be that there are still unknowns working against us? The answer is yes…
Researchers at King’s College London have found that root canal treatment doesn’t just improve oral health — it may also help reduce the risk of serious health conditions like diabetes and heart disease.
The researchers examined patients with apical periodontitis, a chronic inflammatory condition triggered by bacterial invasion into the pulp and root of the tooth. Blood samples were taken from the participants at five points during the study: before root canal treatment, and at three months, six months, one year and two years after treatment.
They measured 44 blood metabolites, some linked to inflammation and others to metabolism. Just over half the metabolites had changed significantly after root canal treatment, particularly amino acids, glucose and lipids.
Three months after treatment, cholesterol had temporarily dropped, and a key amino acid group associated with insulin resistance had declined. By the two-year mark, participants showed improvements in blood glucose levels, coinciding with a drop in pyruvate, a compound that affects inflammatory pathways.
According to lead author and endodontologist Sadia Niazi from King’s College London, “It’s a powerful reminder that oral health is deeply connected to overall health.”
The researchers suspect that chronic infections of the tissues in and around the teeth may seep into the circulation and trigger broader inflammatory changes that affect blood chemistry. This inflammatory state could then potentially influence insulin resistance and compromise blood sugar control.
More research is needed, but this general premise is supported by a growing body of evidence linking oral health to broader health impacts. For instance, evidence suggests that gum disease can more than double the risk of stroke.
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Integrated care is key
We’re learning it’s a misconception to think the mouth is an independent system of its own — or that it has no real connection to the rest of the body.
In fact, numerous health risks could be reduced if dentists talked to doctors.
If root canal treatment can help resolve cases of high blood sugar, researchers believe it could potentially mitigate an individual’s risk of developing serious cardiovascular consequences.
That’s one more reason to stay on top of oral health care, and one more tool to take advantage of for better overall health.
“It is vital that dental professionals recognize the wider impact of these root canal infections and advocate for early diagnosis and treatment,” Niazi says.
“We also need to move towards integrated care, where dentists and general practitioners work together to monitor the risks through these blood markers and protect overall health. It’s time to move beyond the tooth and embrace a truly holistic approach to dental care.”
Editor’s note: Do you know that poor gums and teeth are linked to the number one killer in America? Not to mention kidney disease… rheumatoid arthritis… Parkinson’s disease… depression… and so much more. Click here to discover America’s Hidden Dental Health Crisis: How to protect yourself and your family from this dangerous public health peril!
Sources:
Root Canal Treatment Could Improve Your Blood Sugar Control, Study Suggests — Science Alert
Successful endodontic treatment improves glucose and lipid metabolism: a longitudinal metabolomic study — Journal of Translational Medicine
What is a Root Canal? — American Association of Endodontists
By Carolyn Gretton
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