Health
Root Canals May Protect Your Heart and Health
Health Points
- Successful root canal treatment may lower blood sugar, cholesterol, and inflammation.
- Improved oral health can reduce your risk of heart disease and diabetes.
- Root canals do more than relieve pain—they can support long-term well-being.
Delaying a root canal might impact more than your teeth—new research shows this simple dental procedure could benefit your entire body.
A recent study linked successful root canal treatment to improved blood sugar, better cholesterol, and lowered inflammation, three key factors for heart and metabolic health.
“Our research shows that treating an infected tooth does far more than relieve pain. It can improve your overall health,” says Dr. Sadia Niazi, clinical lecturer in endodontology at King’s College London.
The mouth contains both helpful and harmful bacteria. When an infection develops in a tooth, those bacteria may enter the bloodstream and contribute to chronic inflammation.
This low-grade inflammation is tied to a higher risk for diabetes and heart problems—a connection this study explored by monitoring people before and after root canal procedures.
Researchers followed 65 adults, collecting blood samples before their root canal and at intervals up to two years later. They analyzed more than 40 health markers, including blood sugar and cholesterol, to see how the body’s metabolism responded.
After root canal treatment, participants saw improved blood sugar control, better cholesterol and fatty acid profiles, and reduced inflammation—demonstrating a positive shift in metabolic and heart health.
“Oral bacteria from infected teeth can disrupt metabolism, showing how oral health impacts the whole body. This is a major shift in thinking. Root canal treatment isn’t just about saving teeth; it’s about protecting long-term health,” Niazi explains.
Other experts agree. “The common link is inflammation and this adds evidence that reducing inflammation improves metabolic disease,” comments Dr. Eleanor Levin, a clinical professor of cardiovascular medicine at Stanford Medicine.
Dr. Levin also notes that oral and overall health share many risk factors, including a high sugar diet, excess weight, smoking, and inactivity.
Want to reduce your risk? Brush with fluoride toothpaste twice daily, floss every day, visit your dentist regularly, limit sugary foods, stop smoking, and stay active.
Taking care of your mouth is an investment in your whole-body health. If you’ve been delaying dental treatment, it might be the right time to schedule that appointment.