According to research, cleaning the root canals of teeth can have a positive effect on the general condition of the body. People who successfully treated root canal infections experienced significant reductions in blood glucose levels over the next two years. This suggests that eliminating harmful bacteria may reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
In the new study, researchers followed 65 patients from Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust in London for two years after root canal treatment. Patients had blood tests taken before the procedure and at four subsequent time points to study how the body processes sugar, fats and other substances.
In a paper published in the journal Translational Medicine, the researchers describe significant changes in more than half of the blood molecules analyzed after the procedure. The results show short-term improvements in fat metabolism and long-term reductions in blood sugar levels, as well as reductions in inflammatory markers, factors that contribute to the development of many chronic diseases.
These findings are of particular importance for global health, as chronic dental infections often go untreated. According to the World Health Organization, approximately 3.7 billion people worldwide suffer from untreated oral diseases. Because dental infections can have a broader impact on the health of the body, oral care should be included in the overall health care system.