The focal infection theory posits that bacteria and their endotoxins, originating from a chronic, localized focus of infection in the mouth (for example, a root canal with a cyst at the root tip that hasn’t been completely cleaned), can spread throughout the body via the blood and lymphatic system, triggering chronic diseases in distant organs. Holistic medicine argues that anaerobic bacteria (such as thioether and mercaptan) within leaking root canals produce highly lethal neurotoxins. These toxins can fuel autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, inflammation of the heart muscle (endocarditis), chronic kidney failure, and persistent muscle pain like fibromyalgia. In holistic dentistry, if a root canal is found to be burdensome to the body through radiological and immunological tests, extraction of the tooth and complete cleaning of the focus may be considered a clinical necessity.
