New Study Suggests Root Canal Treatment Linked to Lower Risk of Heart Disease, Diabetes 

Endodontists confirm root canal treatment for tooth infection can save natural teeth and contribute to better overall health by addressing local and systemic inflammation

CHICAGO, IL (November 24, 2025) – While endodontists have long touted the positive oral health benefits of root canal treatment to relieve dental pain and save natural teeth, a new study suggests that this common dental procedure may also contribute to lowering the risk of heart disease and diabetes.

The study published in the Journal of Translational Medicine examined whether a root canal treatment to treat apical periodontitis (AP) – an inflammatory condition often caused by a bacterial infection that affects the dental pulp (nerve) and can trigger inflammation throughout the body – could improve blood sugar, cholesterol, and other markers of systemic inflammation. Researchers followed 65 adults over a two-year period who had undergone a root canal procedure to treat AP, finding that more than half of patients experienced positive improvements, including improved glucose metabolism, better lipid profiles, and reduced markers of inflammation.

“The health benefits of root canal treatment cannot be underestimated,” said Steven J. Katz, DDS, MS, President of the American Association of Endodontists. “While we know that root canal treatments are safe and effective treatments that can also lead to better overall health, this study shows promise in how eliminating the inflammation or infection in the roots of a tooth can extend to improving heart and metabolic health – both of which can lead to serious medical problems.”

Although root canals are often misunderstood due to online misinformation or patients’ overall misconceptions about the procedure, root canal treatment is an often straightforward procedure to relieve dental pain and save natural teeth. Patients typically need a root canal when there is inflammation or infection in the dental pulp. During a root canal treatment, an endodontist who specializes in such treatment carefully removes the pulp inside the tooth, cleans, disinfects, and shapes the root canals, and places a filling to seal the space.

A recent survey conducted by the American Association of Endodontists found that 45% of adults say they have had a root canal, and 71% of those who have undergone a root canal report that they are glad they chose a root canal over a tooth extraction. In fact, tooth extractions evoke a strong negative reaction among those surveyed, with 29% indicating that they would rather get the flu than have a tooth extracted.

Dr. Katz cautioned that the new study linking root canals to a lower risk of heart disease and diabetes has limitations, notably a small sample size and the absence of control groups to compare results. Clearly, in this case, an untreated control group cannot be included for ethical reasons.

“More evidence is needed to determine the full extent of the potential health benefits of root canal procedures, but we are hopeful that these preliminary findings will encourage future research in this promising area,” said Dr. Katz. “For now, root canals remain the gold standard in alleviating severe dental pain and saving natural teeth – and they may offer significant added health benefits to countless patients as this new study suggests.”

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About the American Association of Endodontists

The American Association of Endodontists is a dental specialty organization recognized by the American Dental Association and a global resource for knowledge, research and education for the profession, members and the public. Representing more than 8,000 members worldwide, endodontists are specialists in saving teeth and have additional training and use specialized techniques and technologies to perform root canal treatment and diagnosis and treat tooth pain. Patients can find an endodontist in their area by visiting the AAE website at Find My Endodontist - American Association of Endodontists.

How to Combat Ethnical Health Disadvantages When It Comes to Genetics

Medical professionals have long been aware of the fact that people from different ethnic backgrounds carry different risk levels for some medical conditions. As such, it's important that steps be taken to compensate for the medical disadvantages that come with a patient's genetic makeup. Here are just some of the ways that you can proactively compensate for the risks that may affect you because of your ethnic background.

Know What You're Prone To

The first step in combating whatever ethnic medical disadvantages you may have is to know just what they are. Research the conditions that are associated with your ethnic background so that you have a complete picture of your own risk profile. You should also ask your doctor what you might be susceptible to as a result of your genetic makeup.

Take Optimal Care of Your Heart

Many conditions that are affected by ethnic background involve the heart and cardiovascular system. African Americans, for example, are extremely prone to high blood pressure. This condition, if left unchecked, can contribute to heart attacks and strokes. If you eat properly, exercise and have your heart checked regularly by a medical professional, you can greatly reduce genetically inherited risks and improve your chances of a long and healthy life.

Visit Your Dentist Regularly

As with heart disease, genetic traits play a key role in dental health throughout a person's lifetime. People from India, for example, have been shown to be more susceptible to periodontal disease than other populations. Visiting a dentist, like Jay A Hollander DDS, often can help to combat and prevent such serious dental health problems. Since tooth alignment and discoloration also have genetic components, a visit to a specialized cosmetic dentist can also help you to keep your teeth in optimal condition in spite of any genetic factors working against you.

Balance Your Overall Risk

Unfortunately, there's nothing you can do about the fact that your genetic makeup predisposes you toward some illnesses. What you can do, however, is eliminate lifestyle risks in order to offset that fact. For example, Asian Americans, who are extremely prone to osteoporosis, can change their diets to include more calcium. By adjusting your lifestyle to better fit your individual health needs, you can combat the increased risks posed by your ethnic background.

The key to combating medical disadvantages stemming from your genetics is to be proactive. The more you can do to mitigate your risks, the better off you will be. Always be sure to seek the advice of your doctor, as he or she will be able to give you personalized insights into the plan that is right for you.