Elgin Dentist on Link Between Root Canals and Overall Health

Cosmetic dentist Dean Lodding, DDS highlights the connection between root canal treatment and a patient’s overall health.

Elgin, IL – For decades, root canal treatment has carried a reputation that science no longer supports. Many people still associate the procedure with pain, and some worry that a treated tooth could harbor bacteria that spread illness elsewhere in the body. Dr. Dean Lodding, an Elgin cosmetic dentist at Smile for Life Dental, notes that current research points in the opposite direction: treating an infected tooth can benefit overall health, while leaving it untreated or losing it altogether can create problems that extend well beyond the mouth.

Researchers have closely studied the effect of untreated dental infections. When bacteria reach the pulp inside a tooth, the infection can spread to the surrounding bone and form an abscess, and chronic oral infections like this are associated with ongoing inflammation throughout the body. Studies have explored connections between persistent oral inflammation and conditions such as cardiovascular disease and poorly controlled diabetes, and some research has found that markers of inflammation in the blood decrease after successful root canal treatment.

The benefits of root canal treatment also come from what it prevents: the loss of a natural tooth. A missing tooth can set off a chain of changes in the mouth. Without a root to stimulate it, the jawbone in that area gradually shrinks, and neighboring teeth tend to drift into the open space, altering the bite. An uneven bite can place added strain on the jaw joints and muscles, contributing to jaw pain, headaches, and uneven wear on the remaining teeth. Tooth loss can also affect what people are able to eat comfortably. Those with missing or painful teeth often avoid fibrous foods such as fresh fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins, and research has linked tooth loss to poorer nutrition and to higher rates of chronic conditions, including heart disease, later in life. “Keeping a natural tooth means keeping the whole system working the way it was designed to,” said Dr. Lodding. “A root canal clears the infection and lets the tooth keep doing its job, which supports chewing, nutrition, and the health of the jaw.”

Additionally, modern root canal treatment differs considerably from the procedure many people imagine. With current anesthetics, digital imaging, and specialized instruments, most patients report that the experience is comparable to having a filling placed. A treated tooth, typically restored with a crown, can function normally for many years. Tooth extraction remains an option in some cases, but replacing a missing tooth generally requires additional procedures such as an implant or bridge to prevent the bone loss and shifting that follow.

Warning signs that a tooth may need attention include lingering sensitivity to hot or cold, persistent pain when chewing, swelling in the gums, or a darkening of the tooth. Some infections produce no symptoms at all and are only found on X-rays, which is one reason routine dental exams matter. Addressing an infected tooth early tends to make treatment simpler and helps protect both the tooth itself and the broader aspects of health that depend on it.

About Dean Lodding, DDS
Dr. Dean Lodding earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Illinois College of Dentistry and went on to provide dental care to the Oglala Sioux Tribe in South Dakota. He was one of the first dentists in the world to become accredited in cosmetic dentistry, and he later served as Accreditation Chair for the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD), where he helped develop the organization’s accreditation process. Dr. Lodding has also served on the AACD’s board of directors, held the role of AACD President, and was selected to chair the AACD Charitable Foundation’s Give Back a Smile program. He is a co-founder of the American Academy of Oral Systemic Health, and his practice, Smile for Life Dental, offers state-of-the-art technologies and advanced dentistry techniques. He is a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry and American Academy of Facial Esthetics. Dr. Lodding is available for interview upon request.

For more information about Smile for Life Dental, please visit drdeanlodding.com or facebook.com/SmileForLifeDental.

Contact:

Smile for Life Dental
2001 Larkin Ave, Suite 120
Elgin, Illinois 60123
(847) 697-1111

Rosemont Media
(858) 200-0044
www.rosemontmedia.com