I was told that holistic dentists will not do root canal treatments, but when I saw the one natural dentist in my area he says I need one. What’s going on? Isn’t there a natural remedy?
Perry
Dear Perry,
While there are some holistic dentists who will avoid root canal treatments, the thought process behind it isn’t valid. Their thought is the root canal treatment can leave some bacteria in your mouth. The truth is, there is always bacteria in our bodies. Without that, our bodies would have no way of developing an immune system. The first time you had a bacteria introduced, your body would be overwhelmed and it could kill you. A little bacteria is a good thing.
Those who don’t do root canals, will generally suggest you have the tooth extracted. I would only recommend that as an absolute last resort. When a tooth is removed, you need to replace that tooth with something like a dental implant. If you don’t, the adjacent teeth will drift and tip into the empty space which will lead to your bite being disrupted. A problem bite is one of the causes of TMJ Disorder.
Why a Holistic Dentist WILL Do a Root Canal Treatment
As for natural remedies, while they may temporarily help to hold an infection at bay, they will not heal one. Once the infection gets to the pulp of the tooth, the tooth often dies, this means there is no longer any blood flow to the tooth and no medication will reach it, whether that be a natural remedy or a traditional antibiotic.
The only way to get rid of the infection at that point is for the dentist to get in there and physically remove the infected pulp. This is what a root canal treatment does and why your dentist recommended it. I would follow his treatment protocol. Whatever you do, don’t ignore the infection. These are considered dental emergencies and people still die from them. Think about how close your jaw is to both your heart and lungs. Without timely treatment, a dental emergency can quickly turn into a life-threatening emergency.
This blog is brought to you by the Decatur Dentists Drs. Drake and Wallace.