It’s not news that most people shudder at the thought of a root canal. Still, the occasional polling on the matter can make for interesting reading sometimes.

In the latest survey, for instance, over 80% of those Americans polled said that the thought of needing a root canal made them feel anxious or scared. Almost 80% said they’d rather quit social media for two weeks than be treated by an endodontist (a root canal specialist), and 77% said they’d rather sleep in an airport after a canceled flight. Over half said they’d rather have a colonoscopy.

The most commonly cited concern? Post-treatment pain.

You can imagine how these results must have come across to the company that the survey was done for. They deal in products for doing root canals. The public just needs to be educated, they said in a press release.

It’s hard to quibble with patient education. Helping people become better informed about their oral health choices – and their impact on whole body health – is central to what we do here at Rehme Dental Care. Focusing solely on the benefits of any treatment isn’t enough, though.

We believe that everyone has the right to understand the benefits AND risks of any dental or medical procedure they’re considering, so they can make a truly informed decision – one that aligns with their needs, priorities, and values.

There can be consequences from keeping a dead organ in a living body – even in the case of a “biological root canal,” as Dr. Kelly Blodgett shows in this brief video:

Towards the end of his storied career, Dr. Hal Huggins gave an excellent talk on root canals at a monthly meeting of the Price-Pottenger Nutrition Foundation. If you have root canal teeth or have been advised to get a root canal, we encourage you to watch it in its entirety so you can get the complete story about this procedure.

Becoming better and more fully informed is the first step toward creating a healthier future for yourself.

Read some of our patients’ experiences with root canal teeth.