My Hospital Holiday - Tachycardia + Arrhythmia

[Bill Ryan]

Posted by John Hilton (here)
So, finally, I went to my dentist and demanded that he extract the tooth. It took over two weeks for the gum to heal and I ended up taking antibiotics. Another two weeks have passed and I have not been aware of any heart flutter for over a week. It might still be there but I can't feel it and previously it felt as if I was about to faint. It was unmistakable.

It is a well documented fact that root canal fillings can harbour infection and that the resultant inflammation can affect the heart.

Good call!

Do please see this important thread, which contains a LOT of information:

• The Great Dangers of Root Canal Treatment

[Szymon]

Posted by John Hilton (here)
Sat, May 16, 2026

In 2022 I developed a really bad tooth abscess, which resulted in many weeks of dental treatment to kill the infection, followed by a root canal procedure and crown. After that, despite having no nerves, the tooth was painful. It wasn't the typical, sharp "toothache" but more of a subliminal ache. I discussed it with my dentist several times without reaching a conclusion.

In the meantime, my consumption of electrolytes - and especially potassium chloride - appeared to have reduced the incidence of arrhythmia or "heart flutter", but it hadn't gone completely.

So, finally, I went to my dentist and demanded that he extract the tooth. It took over two weeks for the gum to heal and I ended up taking antibiotics. Another two weeks have passed and I have not been aware of any heart flutter for over a week. It might still be there but I can't feel it and previously it felt as if I was about to faint. It was unmistakable.

It is a well documented fact that root canal fillings can harbour infection and that the resultant inflammation can affect the heart. So I'm wondering.

Anyway, my dentist wants me to choose either a bridge or a titanium implant to replace the tooth. At present I'm choosing neither. I can still chew reasonably well and I have no pain.

I wonder whether your dentist accidentally drilled through the bottom of the tooth into the underlying bone. This is called a perforation, a known complication of root canal therapy. This opening allows bacteria to enter the jawbone, leading to severe pain, swelling, and tooth instability.

I experienced that once when a root canal specialist told me the previous dentist had made a mistake. Fortunately, he was able to fix it and finish the procedure. A few years later, I stopped visiting the dentist altogether. To me, if it works, it works. Every dental visit tends to reveal issues, leaving you with bills that range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars. Dentists seem to see your teeth as easy money.

[John Hilton]

Thanks for your comments. I've read a lot about root canal treatment, effects on the heart, etc. The original infection came to light while I was on holiday and the dentist there said that the infection was in the bone and had been for some time. My own dentist said he could treat it and, as I stated, spent several weeks doing so.

I waited 4 years before getting the tooth removed. Too long really. But it seems to have fixed the problems. No more mouth pain and no more arrhythmia.

I don't trust dentists any more than I trust doctors. But when it comes to the crunch, I'm not reticent; I tell them what I want them to do.