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Root Canal vs Tooth Extraction: I made the right choice!

Disclaimer: I’m not a medical professional. Everything I share here is based on my personal experience and research. Please consult your own dentist or healthcare provider before making decisions about your dental care.

For as long as I can remember, dentistry has been one of the most frustrating and painful areas of my health journey. Since I was a little girl, I’ve had dentist after dentist work on my teeth—drilling, filling, and promising results that never lasted. What I didn’t realize back then was that some of the procedures I received as a child would affect my oral health and overall wellness for decades.

When I was young, I was given mercury fillings—also called amalgam fillings—without anyone realizing how toxic they were. At the time, no one questioned it. It was just what dentists did. But years later, when more information came out about how mercury can damage natural teeth and release harmful toxins, my stomach dropped. It explained so much of what I had been feeling for years.

Over time, I started learning more about root canal treatment, dental implant options, and other dental procedures that promised to fix my teeth. But I always had this uneasy feeling that something wasn’t right. Every dentist seemed to have a different opinion, a different “best option,” and a new bill that made my jaw drop.

As I got older, I decided to remove the mercury fillings. Unfortunately, I didn’t realize that the removal process itself could be dangerous if it’s not done safely. The dentist I went to back then didn’t take any special precautions—no protective barriers, no vacuum system, nothing. Tiny pieces of mercury were literally flying around my mouth and the room. At one point, a piece even shot toward the back of my throat. When I stopped them to ask, “Are you sure there aren’t mercury pieces in my mouth?” they brushed it off like it was no big deal.

It was a big deal.

Within a few weeks, I started experiencing symptoms that terrified me: muscle weakness, hip pain that came out of nowhere, and nighttime tremors. I was in great shape, practicing hot yoga weekly, working out 5x a week, and living a healthy lifestyle—so these symptoms didn’t make sense. I realized I had been exposed to mercury toxicity from the unsafe removal.

To detox, I turned to natural healing methods—red light therapy, infrared saunas, hot yoga, chlorella, and high-dose vitamin C. Slowly, I started to feel better. But my teeth? They were weaker than ever. The fillings didn’t stay in place because standard fillings don’t adhere properly to areas where mercury used to be. Eventually, one of my teeth became horribly infected, and several others needed root canal therapy.

After years of painful experiences, I dove deep into understanding endodontic therapy (the technical name for root canal procedures). Most people don’t realize that a root canal essentially leaves a dead tooth inside your mouth. The infected pulp and damaged tissue are removed, and the empty space inside the tooth’s pulp chamber is filled with a rubbery substance called gutta percha.

While that might sound like a good solution, I learned that even with the best dentist’s expertise, root canals can harbor bacteria and toxins. Since the tooth no longer has living blood vessels, it can’t clean itself naturally. That trapped bacteria can slowly leak into your bloodstream, potentially causing inflammation or other systemic issues. Some studies even suggest connections between root canals and chronic illness, though the research is still ongoing.

Holistic and biological dentists believe that tooth infections and infected root canals can affect other parts of the body. For example, an infected tooth near the upper molars may impact your sinuses, while an infected lower molar can influence your digestive system or lungs. It’s a reminder that your oral health is deeply connected to your overall wellness.

That’s when I first discovered holistic dentistry—and everything changed.

Holistic dentistry is a branch of modern dentistry that looks beyond the mouth. Instead of focusing only on fixing a single dental problem, holistic dentists address the whole person. They believe that every dental procedure, from simple extractions to dental implants, should support your body’s natural balance.

Unlike many general dentists, holistic practitioners use biocompatible materials, avoid toxins, and are trained in the safe removal of mercury. They understand that what happens in your mouth affects your immune system, nervous system, and overall vitality.

Here are a few things that set holistic dentistry apart:

• They avoid root canal procedures when possible and instead opt for tooth extractions and zirconia implants to prevent long-term infection.

• They use special protocols to protect patients and staff during amalgam (mercury) removal.

• They educate patients about how specific teeth are connected to organs and energy pathways in the body.

• They choose the least invasive treatments and consider your entire health history before making a treatment plan.

Holistic dentistry gave me hope again. But in the U.S., it came with a hefty price tag.

When I finally found a holistic dentist in California, I was excited and hopeful. He was knowledgeable and deeply passionate about health-based dental care. He took x-rays, showed me which root canals were infected, and explained how remaining mercury fillings could still be affecting my immune system.

I was impressed—until I saw the bill.

It cost me thousands to have mercury removed from just four teeth and to have new dental crowns placed. And that didn’t even include fixing the infected root canals. I was heartbroken. I felt trapped. I wanted to heal my mouth and body, but the financial side of American dentistry made it feel impossible.

So for months, I waited, praying for another option. My mouth still hurt, my neck felt swollen, and I couldn’t shake the thought that tooth infections might be affecting my overall health.

That’s when my husband asked, “Why don’t you look into Mexico?”

At first, I hesitated. The idea of dental work in another country scared me. But as part of the Square One community—a group founded by Chris Wark from Chris Beat Cancer—I’d seen many people talk about seeking holistic treatments abroad. I searched through our group and found a glowing recommendation for American Biodental Center at Holistic Care Clinic in Tijuana.

The more I researched, the more confident I felt. This clinic offered everything I had been looking for—integrative dental care, advanced stem cell therapies, EBOO ozone therapy, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, IV therapy, and even an inner LED light therapy bed for healing and detox. It wasn’t just a dental clinic—it was a full-body wellness center.

You park safely in San Diego, and a private shuttle takes you across the border directly to the Holistic Care Clinic / American Biodental, located on the ground floor of the stunning Grand Hotel in Tijuana’s “Golden Zone.” It’s modern, clean, and safe. My husband and I felt completely at ease from the moment we arrived. I was very nervous at first, but once I arrived, I realized how silly I was to be nervous! It was beyond clean and safe! It was actually such a nice place! I’d even consider staying in the hotel if I needed to stay overnight. If you don’t live in California, I’d still recommend flying into San Diego to go to American Biodental!

At my first consultation, I met Dr. Christopher, who was gentle, humble, and extremely knowledgeable, more so than any other dentist I’ve met. I felt heard for the first time in years. He took a cone beam CT scan, which provides a 3D image of the interior of the tooth, jawbone, and surrounding soft tissue. It’s a low-radiation scan that helps dentists identify hidden infections or bone loss that regular x-rays can miss.

Because I’m cautious about radiation exposure, I prepared by taking 100mg of melatonin and vitamin C beforehand—natural protectants I learned about through my Square One group.

Dr. Christopher walked me through every detail of the scan, showing where infections had spread and explaining the treatment options in a way that made sense. He pointed out that two of my root canals were so severely infected that the bacteria had reached my sinuses. I had no idea. He explained how this kind of spread of infection could affect the sinuses, lungs, or digestive tract depending on which tooth’s pulp was involved. But thank God, after he extracted them, he assured me they weren’t “active” and spreading beyond yet, but so glad I got them removed when I did!

The most shocking part? Two of the teeth that had recently been “treated” by my previous holistic dentist in California were the ones infected. I couldn’t believe it.

Dr. Christopher recommended that I proceed with surgical tooth extractions followed by zirconia dental implants—the best treatment for long-term health and stability.

After everything I’d been through, the best choice for me was clear: complete removal of the infected teeth and replacement with non-toxic zirconia implants.

I can’t describe the relief I felt in that moment. Not only was I confident in Dr. Christopher’s plan, but the cost was a fraction of what I was quoted in California. It truly felt like a blessing from God.

The next day, I returned for the procedure. Before anything began, I received a vitamin C IV, which helps the body heal faster and boosts the immune system. I even wheeled my IV bag with me into the dentist’s chair—it felt so holistic and healing!

Dr. Christopher used a local anesthetic (instead of heavy sedation) so I could stay awake and aware but completely pain-free. Throughout the extraction process, he talked me through every step, ensuring I was comfortable. I had multiple infected teeth removed, including the worst root canals. He showed me the infected tissue at the base of the teeth—it was shocking but validating to finally see what had been causing my severe pain for so long.

Afterward, I was given the option of antibiotics. I chose to take them to prevent further infection, along with probiotics and soft foods like soups and yogurt for a few days.

To my surprise, I had minimal swelling and almost no post-procedure dental pain. My husband was amazed that I didn’t need strong counter pain relievers and slept through the night with no issues. Within three days, I was halfway recovered. By day seven, I was nearly pain-free. Even the swelling in my neck was gone.

The staff at American Biodental Center and Holistic Care Clinic were incredible—professional, kind, and most of them spoke great English. Every detail, from transportation to aftercare, was handled with care. For the first time in years, I felt like my oral health and my overall wellness were truly being restored.

In my follow-up visit, we discussed the next step—placing some ceramic inlays in teeth that needed them from poor previous dental work (in the US), and later installing my zirconia dental implants once the bone fully healed. I’ll be sharing that part of my journey in an upcoming post.

But what I can say now is this: I finally feel healthy again, almost as if removing those infections freed me in ways I didn’t even know I needed.

If you’re someone who’s been suffering from ongoing dental problems, unexplained fatigue, or chronic inflammation, I highly recommend exploring holistic dentistry. Sometimes the right decision for your health means looking beyond traditional systems and considering a more integrative approach.

At Holistic Care Clinic, you can not only address your dental issues safely and naturally through American Biodental Center, but you can also explore therapies that help your whole body heal—like EBOO ozone therapy, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and IV nutrient therapy.

They don’t just fix teeth—they restore wellness.

Because I was so impressed by my experience, I asked American Biodental Center if I could offer something special to my followers. They enthusiastically gave me a code for everyone to use by April 1st.

If you mention my code CLAYTON, you’ll receive:
✨ Free dental evaluation with their expert team
✨ Free panoramic X-ray
✨ Free shuttle service (from San Diego to Tijuana)

This offer is valid now through April 1st — and if you’ve been looking for a sign to take care of your mouth and your health, this is it.

My journey with dentistry has been painful, eye-opening, and ultimately transformative. I’ve learned that our mouths are not separate from our bodies—they are a mirror of our health. Whether it’s an infected tooth, a missing tooth, or a damaged root canal, the decisions we make about our dental care affect every other system in our body.

I wish I had known about holistic dentistry years ago, but now that I do, I’ll never go back. It’s the better choice for me, and I hope my story inspires others to seek information, ask questions, and make the best decision for their own specific situation.

Because healing starts when we listen—to our bodies, our intuition, and the wisdom that sometimes lies just across the border.

Ready to learn more?
Visit HolisticCare.com or AmericanBiodental.com to explore their services and book your consultation.