Successful root canal treatment may help lower inflammation associated with heart disease and improve blood sugar and cholesterol levels.
Treating an infected tooth with a successful root canal procedure may do more than relieve pain. New research suggests it could also lower inflammation tied to heart disease and improve blood sugar and cholesterol levels.
In a first-of-its-kind clinical investigation, researchers at King’s College London monitored changes in blood chemistry after patients received treatment for a common dental infection known as apical periodontitis.
This infection occurs when bacteria invade the root of a tooth and surrounding tissue. If left untreated, bacteria can enter the bloodstream, trigger inflammation, and potentially raise the risk of cardiovascular problems while also interfering with the body’s ability to regulate blood sugar.
Although previous studies have linked dental infections to broader health concerns, no research has directly examined whether successful root canal treatment could produce measurable improvements in heart and metabolic health. This study set out to explore that possibility.
Dental infection affects systemic health
The team discovered that successful root canal treatment was associated with:
Healthier blood sugar control:- Over the two years following treatment, patients showed a meaningful decline in blood glucose levels, an important step in lowering the risk of developing diabetes.
Stronger cholesterol and fat balance: – In the short term, levels of blood cholesterol and circulating fatty acids improved, both of which play a central role in maintaining heart health.
Lower levels of inflammation: – Biological markers associated with inflammation, which are commonly tied to cardiovascular disease and other long-term health conditions, gradually decreased.
System-wide metabolic effects from oral bacteria: – Microbes originating from infected teeth were linked to measurable shifts in the body’s overall metabolic processes, suggesting that dental infections can influence more than just oral tissues.
