A new study has found that patients who were treated for root canal infections saw their blood sugar levels drop significantly over two years. This suggests that removing the bacteria may protect against type 2 diabetes.
As reported by The Guardian, improvements were also observed in patients’ blood cholesterol and fatty acid levels, both associated with heart health. Further benefits were seen around inflammation, a driver for cardiovascular disease.
Sadia Niazi, a senior clinical lecturer at King’s College London, said, “Our oral health is connected to our general health. We should never look at our teeth or dental disease as a separate entity”.
Whilst it is a common procedure, root canal treatment is one of the most feared. However, much of the anxiety is derived from myths and misconceptions – many of which are left over from historically poor anaesthetic.
According to a 2024 oral health survey, more than a third of adults in England had root canal treatment.
The research, published in the Journal of Translational Medicine, followed 65 patients for two years following treatment, periodically analysing the patients’ blood to see how sugar, fat, and other substances were processed.
The results suggest short-term improvements in fat metabolism and long-term improvements in blood sugar levels. Additionally, markers for inflammation also reduced following root canal treatment.
Niazi comments: “It’s not about treating the single tooth. This has long-term benefits on the general health of the patient, particularly the risk of chronic conditions like heart disease and diabetes. “People must understand that your mouth is the main gateway to your general health, so looking after your oral health and doing regular checkups with your dentist and getting disease treated early is the best course of action.”
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