QUESTION: Hi Akin, hope you’re doing well. Dentist told me that there’s bad infection in one of my teeth, based on x-ray. I don’t feel any pain and tooth has been almost completely dead for a few years. He recommended root canal but I really want to avoid it. Is there anything I can do to eliminate this infection? Thank you!

ANSWER: It is no surprise that a dentist would recommend a root canal. Root canals are big business in the dental world, and many people, unaware of the procedure’s implications and its long-term consequences, get them in an attempt to save their tooth. However, no one who truly understands what a root canal entails and its inevitable ramifications would agree to undergo it. In my opinion, in the vast majority of cases, getting a root canal is not worth saving the tooth — especially if one values their overall health.

Your query suggests that the tooth in question has been compromised for some time (likely years) due to a cavity, crack, or injury. This has most likely allowed harmful bacteria to enter the tooth, leading to the degeneration of the nerve, blood vessel, and lymphatic tissue (pulpitis) or complete death (necrosis).

It is important to distinguish between a tooth that is “almost completely dead” and one that is “completely dead.” A healthy body can efficiently regenerate stem cells and repair damaged pulp (provided the person is fairly young and the damage is not too severe). However, if the pulp is entirely dead and has been for a while, the situation becomes complicated.

If I were in your situation, I would consider using herbs such as goldenseal root, chaparral leaf, and neem leaf to reduce/alleviate the infection (the process is delineated in the “Antiseptic-Antimicrobial Decoction” section of the Dental Abscess Protocols). Additionally, I might incorporate clove oil, oregano oil, and garlic due to their potent antibacterial properties. I would also swish 1 tablespoon of organic unrefined, cold-pressed extra virgin coconut oil in my mouth for about 15 minutes, two to three times a day, and, separately, rinse with salt water (1/2 teaspoon of raw/unrefined sea salt in a glass of warm water). These measures can help neutralize bacteria (incl. Streptococcus mutans, Prevotella sp., Lactobacillus sp., etc.) responsible for pulp damage (and tooth decay in general) and decrease or even eliminate infection (even if only temporarily).

Proper diet is essential in such situations. To help the body combat infection, one ought to 1) completely cut out processed sugar, refined grains, and processed/ultra-processed foods, and 2) provide the body with proper fuel/nutrients—raw, living foods like fresh organic fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds. Antioxidant-rich foods, such as berries and dark leafy greens, are vital. Organic vitamin C (from camu camu, acerola berry, amla, hibiscus, kakadu plum), zinc, and magnesium will support the body’s natural defenses, as does daily exposure to sunlight (vitamin D). Herbs such as astragalus root, echinacea, eleuthero, panax ginseng, ashwagandha, elderberry, turmeric root, holy basil (tulsi), and cat’s claw can help buttress the immune system over the long term; they are excellent for building strong, lasting “immunity,” which is important to avert infectious states.

I would seek out a holistic or biological dentist to examine the tooth and surrounding area. If available, cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) is worth considering, as it would provide the most detailed imaging of the tooth and surrounding tissues. Most holistic dentists are strongly opposed to root canals and will usually offer alternative solutions if the tooth is salvageable. If it is not, I would personally opt for extraction and avoid having foreign materials placed in my mouth by any means.