Ever hear the dreaded words: “You need a root canal?”
These words are probably the number one reason people come to see us for a second opinion. If there is an abscess or a cavity that is clearly into the pulp of the tooth (where the nerve, blood vessels and lymphatic vessels are housed), then unfortunately your options are either to have a root canal treatment or extraction (removal of the tooth). In both cases, the tooth is dead and nothing can revive it.
What Is A Root Canal Treatment?
Every tooth has at least one main canal within the root. Root canals house and supply nerves, blood and lymphatic vessels to the tooth. Its contents are the “life” of our teeth and provide circulation, oxygen, nutrients and everything the teeth need to be healthy and vital. When the root canal system becomes infected or inflamed and causes pain, vital tissues are removed from the root canal leaving the tooth dead and brittle. The tooth then needs a crown or cap because like a dried out bone, it can easily fracture with pressure from mastication (chewing).
Not All Hurting Teeth Need A Root Canal Treatment!
Often patients present with unexplained toothaches, have painful teeth after dental work, or have sensitivity from a deep cavity that is close to, but not yet into the root canal of the tooth. In all these cases, we have successfully intervened with balancing the occlusion (bite) and oxygenating the affected teeth with ozone. More often than not, these patients do not need to have root canal treatments. Why did these teeth not recover in the first place? .
Let’s Get to the Root!
Healthy teeth usually recover, even after being worked on or after having a large cavity cleaned and filled. Teeth should not be sensitive without an apparent reason. However, teeth that do not recover after trauma or are sensitive without an apparent cause, likely lack oxygen or blood flow and are thus compromised in their ability to restore and recover. Dr. Felix Liao says “Dental Angina is my term for early-stage toothache and dental sensitivity in the absence of cavities from reduced blood flow to a tooth, as in heart angina” (Liao, 2017). In addition, teeth grinding and clenching further reduces blood flow. Dr. Liao gives the analogy of clenching ones fist until blood flow is cut off and turns white. Continue grinding and clenching night after night and restricted blood create “dental angina” and a poor environment to which teeth are able to heal and restore.
Beyond the Root
A person who suffers from sleep disordered breathing already has compromised oxygen intake. When a person is clenching or grinding their teeth, this means the sympathetic nervous system responsible for the “fight or flight” response is engaged. In sympathetic mode, blood is diverted away from digestion, relaxation and repair into the muscles. This allows the body to supply the oxygen needed to fight or run, at the expense of our body’s other functions. Since the mouth is part of our digestive system, it is also affected by this redirection of our body’s resources. In a case of sleep disordered breathing, one could have compromised blood supply to the teeth, leading to a decrease in oxygen and nutrients available to restore and repair teeth to a healthy state. As teeth are starved of oxygen and other nutrients, they can become vulnerable to cavities and lose their ability to restore, repair, and maintain vitality. In this state, teeth also tend to have a harder time recovering from dental work or trauma, and may be more susceptible to “random” tooth pain.
Getting to the root of root canals involves understanding the underlying risks, which may include sleep disordered breathing. Sleep disordered breathing may be a result of an underdeveloped jaw and airway. To learn more and get to the root of many other dental issues related to an underdeveloped jaw and airway, attend one of our bi-monthly FREE online presentation: Many Problems, One Solution.
Reference:
Liao, F., DDS. (2017). Early Sirens: Critical Health Warnings & Holistic Mouth Solutions. Carlsbad, California: Crescendo Publishing, LLC.