Last Updated on May 2, 2023 by Dr. Shikha Shiromani
Quick Take
A social media post claims root canal-treated teeth are the number one cause of heart attacks. We fact-checked and found this claim to be False.
The Claim
A Facebook reel with the caption, “What do you think? Documentary: Root Cause #heartattack #rootcanal” shares the video in which the speaker, Dr. Thomas E. Levy, says, “ Data we’ve just recently gotten, shows now that the No. 1 cause of heart attack is a root canal-treated tooth. Plain and simple. Not correlation, not link, cause and effect.”
Fact Check
What is a root canal treatment?
An RCT (root canal treatment) is a dental treatment used to repair and save a tooth that has become infected or damaged due to decay, injury or other reasons. During the procedure, the dentist or endodontist will remove the infected or damaged pulp (the soft tissue inside the tooth) and clean the inside of the tooth’s root canals.
After cleaning, the dentist will fill the root canals with a filling material and seal the tooth with a filling or crown. The procedure is typically done under local anesthesia to minimize pain or discomfort.
The root canal procedure is often recommended as an alternative to extracting a damaged or infected tooth, as it allows the patient to keep their natural tooth while relieving pain and preventing further damage or infection.
Can an RCT cause a heart attack?
No. There is no scientific evidence to prove that a root canal procedure can lead to a heart attack. While there is no direct connection between the two, some studies have suggested a possible link between pulpal disease and cardiovascular disease. Research also states that people with untreated tooth infections are 2.7 times more likely to have cardiovascular problems, such as coronary artery disease, than patients who have had treatment for dental infections. However, the risk is relatively low and can be managed by maintaining good oral hygiene and seeking regular dental care.
It’s important to note that any medical procedure, including dental procedures, carries some degree of risk. However, the risk of complications during an RCT is generally considered to be low, and the benefits of preserving a damaged or infected tooth often outweigh the risks.
When we asked Dr. Pooja Bhardwaj, our dental expert, if root canal treatment can cause heart diseases, she responded, “The American Association of Endodontists asserts that RCT does not cause illness. Correlation has also been shown to be false because untreated dental diseases, such as acute abscess infection, can exacerbate systemic illness. This is because tissue bacteria and debris that putrefy could release toxins that are harmful to human health. Hence, there is no scientific evidence that RCT is a cause of heart disease.”
Are root canal-treated teeth the primary cause of heart attacks?
No. There is a lack of evidence to prove that root canal-treated teeth are the primary cause of heart attacks. The clip shared through the video provides no evidence to support the claim.
The American Association of Endodontists has already cleared the myth which stated that “Root canal treatment causes illness.” It clarified it by stating that this false claim was based on long-debunked and poorly designed research conducted nearly a century ago, long before modern medicine understood the causes of many diseases. It lacks valid scientific evidence that links root canal treatment to disease elsewhere in the body.
THIP Media has already fact-checked a claim that stated that heart diseases could be caused by root-canaled teeth. We found that there is no substantial evidence to support the claim that root canal therapy is toxic and causes the development of cardiac conditions. In addition, it has been found that periodontal treatment could help with the management of cardiac diseases.
Additionally, there is no scientific evidence to suggest that pulpless teeth can cause infection, which can cause a heart attack. Furthermore, scientific evidence has shown that once the pulpless tooth’s root canal has been debrided and disinfected according to modern endodontic principles, the body’s immune system can deal with any residual infection.
The major risk factors for heart disease are high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol and smoking. The World Health Organization states that the major risk factors for heart disease and stroke are unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, tobacco use and harmful use of alcohol. The CDC further mentions that Coronary Artery Disease is the main cause of a heart attack, and the other less common causes include severe spasms, or sudden contraction, of a coronary artery that can stop blood flow to the heart muscle. These well-established organizations do not mention root canals as a causative agent for heart attacks.
When we asked our Cardiology expert, Dr Mohit Bhagwati, Consultant at Holy Family Hospital, New Delhi, to give his view on this. He said, “No, root canal treatments are not the number one cause of heart attacks. This claim has been circulating in some alternative medicine circles and on social media, but it is not supported by scientific evidence. While there have been studies suggesting a link between dental health and heart health, the research is inconclusive. In fact, avoiding or delaying a necessary root canal treatment can lead to more serious health problems and complications, such as tooth loss and systemic infection, that can also increase the risk of heart disease. Heart attacks are most commonly caused by factors such as family history of heart disease, smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and a sedentary lifestyle. It’s important to consult reputable sources and healthcare professionals for accurate information about medical conditions and treatments.”
In conclusion, the claim stands false until substantial evidence is present to prove it otherwise.
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