Nov 18, 2025
3 min read
New research suggests that root canal treatment, in addition to saving teeth, may lower the risk of diabetes and type 2 diabetes.
They say the way to your heart is through your stomach.
New research says oral treatment comes first.
Getting specialized and popular dental treatment can do more than save your teeth.But it also reduces the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes, a new research institute suggests.
Does that sound right?
Well, read on.
Essential dental tips for healthy teeth and gums
A potentially innovative dental treatment
A surprising new wave of research shows that root canal treatment—usually used to remove infected tissue from inside a tooth—may offer benefits beyond saving your smile.
Emerging research shows that by treating hidden infections, a root canal procedure can help improve blood sugar control, and reduce the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
What is continuing care?
Long seen primarily as a dental procedure to relieve pain and prevent tooth loss, root canal therapy can now play a larger role in protecting systemic health.It is a dental procedure in which the infected or inflamed pulp is removed from inside the tooth to save it from extraction.During treatment, a dentist or endodontist numbs the area, removes the pulp, cleans and disinfects the canals, and then fills and seals the inside of the tooth.
The tooth is then restored with a crown or filling material.
Now, emerging research suggests that successful treatment of apical periodontitis can reduce the risk of infection in the tip of the tooth root, which is susceptible to infection, and lowers the risks associated with heart disease and diabetes.
What science says
In a prospective interventional study of 35 patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and root-end infections, researchers measured their high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) before and after nonsurgical root canal treatment.hs-CRP is a common biomarker used to assess systemic inflammation, which is associated with increased cardiovascular risk.Twelve months after treatment, patients showed a significant drop in hs-CRP levels, suggesting that dental infection contributes to ongoing inflammation.
Proof
A history of the
The University of Helsinki supported this idea and found that people with untreated spider mite infection have significantly higher rates of colonic syndrome than people who do not have such diseases.This association persisted even after taking into account other risk factors such as age, diabetes and smoking.
How root canal treatment can reduce the risk of heart disease
Scientists believe the mechanism involves chronic inflammation.When bacteria from an infected tooth enters the bloodstream, it triggers an immune response.Over time, this persistent inflammation can cause stress on the blood vessels, which contributes to cardiovascular disease.
The intervention study mentioned above provided more concrete evidence: in patients with both coronary artery disease and root infection, doctors measured high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (HS-CRP)—a known marker of systemic inflammation.After nonsurgical root canal treatment, these patients showed a significant decrease in HS-CRP levels at 6- and 12-month follow-ups.
Why is this a problem?Chronic inflammation is a driver of heart disease.By eliminating low-grade inflammation in the tooth, root canal treatment can reduce this inflammation, reducing cardiovascular stress over time.
What about diabetes?
A link between oral infections and type 2 diabetes is also emerging.Poor oral health, particularly conditions such as gingivitis, has long been associated with insulin resistance and poor metabolism.
A large systematic review found that better oral hygiene, such as regular brushing and flossing, is associated with a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Inflammation may have a common thread here: When oral bacteria trigger a systemic immune response, they exacerbate insulin resistance, disrupt fat metabolism, and damage blood vessels.Dealing with deep dental infections, such as root canals, can therefore reduce the body's inflammatory burden, which can help the body regulate blood sugar more effectively.
Reasons for these findings
Although these studies, although promising, are relatively small or observational, and randomized clinical trials are needed to prove the protective benefits of root canal treatment for heart disease and diabetes, they also reinforce the idea that dental diseases cause more than toothache - they can affect the health of the whole body.By treating root infections early, dentists can help prevent or reduce chronic inflammation, reducing the long-term risk of serious conditions such as heart disease and diabetes.
