Root Canals & Cancer: Is There Evidence?

  • Context: Medical 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Routaran
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Cancer Root
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the claim that root canals may cause cancer, primarily propagated by Dr. Joseph Mercola. Participants express skepticism regarding the validity of this assertion, noting that the primary sources cited are unreliable and lack scientific backing. A search on PubMed yielded no relevant studies linking root canals to cancer, reinforcing the consensus that the claims are unfounded. The conversation highlights the importance of critically evaluating sources and relying on established medical research.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of dental procedures, specifically root canals.
  • Familiarity with medical research databases, such as PubMed.
  • Knowledge of critical evaluation of health information sources.
  • Awareness of common health misinformation tactics.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the scientific literature on dental procedures and their health implications.
  • Learn about the role of credible sources in health information dissemination.
  • Investigate the claims made by Dr. Joseph Mercola and their refutations by health organizations.
  • Explore the impact of misinformation in health discussions and its effects on public perception.
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for healthcare professionals, dental practitioners, and individuals interested in understanding the intersection of dental health and cancer claims, as well as those seeking to navigate health misinformation effectively.

Routaran
Messages
447
Reaction score
94
I recently had a friend on facebook share this website
Edit by mentor: link deleted
it suggests there's a causal relationship between root canals and cancer. Right off the bat, given the website name, realfarmacy, i was skeptical. I tried to check their sources and did a few searches on google and they all seem to come back to one place, Dr. Mercola
Edit: crackpot link deleted
The sources are listed on the bottom of the page. There was only 1 source that explicitly mentioned cancer but it was blocked by our corporate firewall and flagged malicious. The other sources had to do with raw food diets and bacteria in a person's mouth.

I went to pubmed and did a search there for root canal cancer but I didn't see anything relevant (I am a computer programmer so take that with a pinch of salt)

Is there any evidence to support this claim outside of what Mercola says?

Thanks,
Routaran
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Biology news on Phys.org
It's crackpottery.

http://www.quackwatch.com/11Ind/mercola.html

FDA Orders Dr. Joseph Mercola to Stop Illegal Claims

Many of Mercola's articles make unsubstantiated claims and clash with those of leading medical and public health organizations. For example, he opposes immunization [4] fluoridation [5], mammography [6], and the routine administration of vitamin K shots to the newborn [7]; claims that amalgam fillings are toxic [8]; and makes many unsubstantiated recommendations for dietary supplements. Mercola's reach has been greatly boosted by repeated promotion on the "Dr. Oz Show."
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: 1 person

Similar threads

Is Evolutionary Theory Undermined by Creationist Claims?
  • · Replies 266 ·
9
Replies
266
Views
32K
Why do so many people hate science?
  • · Replies 28 ·
Replies
28
Views
12K
What colors and attributes could alien flora & fauna have?
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
6K
News What is the truth behind the Source vs. Content debate?
  • · Replies 49 ·
2
Replies
49
Views
7K