The dentist you choose can shape your future—and in this case, your family’s future. If you missed the earlier installments, they include Parts 1, 2, 3, and 4. If you and your partner are trying to conceive, one of the first steps you should take together is a thorough gum evaluation. That may sound surprising. … Read more

The dentist you choose will shape your destiny. Read Parts 1, 2, and 3 if you’d like more background. This is Part 4 of 8. Today we focus on sleep. Years ago my wife was diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea. Not long after, I received the same diagnosis. I had practiced dentistry for decades by … Read more

A reader wrote in this week: “Is magnesium good for canker sores?” Short answer: yes, magnesium can help. But if you only add a magnesium supplement and change nothing else, you may be disappointed. For many people, the real and avoidable trigger is on the bathroom counter: their toothpaste. Most mainstream toothpastes foam because they … Read more

The dentist you choose helps shape your long-term health. If you missed them, see Parts 1 and 2 for more context. This is Part 3 of 8 — today we focus on the link between oral health and blood sugar. Imagine two people: same age, similar genes, comparable diets. One sees a dentist who treats … Read more

At mile 18 of a marathon, some of the fittest people on earth reach into their running vests for a fistful of candy. Many elite athletes swear by this approach: after roughly ninety minutes of exertion the body is burning carbohydrates faster than a single pasta dinner can replenish, and candy can provide a fast … Read more

A reader wrote in this week:“Dr. B, I just finished a course of Augmentin, and I keep reading about what antibiotics do to your gut. But is there anything I should be doing for my mouth and oral microbiome?” Yes. And I’m glad someone finally asked, because oral care after antibiotics is often overlooked. Antibiotics … Read more

The dentist you choose can shape your health. This is Part 2 of 8. Today we focus on your brain. Think back to the two people I described last week: same age, similar genes, similar diets—one who chose a whole‑body dentist and one who opted for a traditional drill‑and‑fill approach. That single choice can have … Read more

The most effective whitening aid I own isn’t a product you buy in a store. It’s not the polisher in my drawer, not whitening strips, and not even toothpaste. It’s saliva. A well-hydrated mouth is essentially self-cleaning; a dry mouth is a magnet for stains. When a tooth is dry it not only collects pigment, … Read more

The dentist you choose today can affect your heart, your brain, and your overall health decades from now. Imagine two people: the same age, similar genes, and comparable diets. Years ago, one chose a dentist who treats the mouth as part of the whole body. The other chose a conventional drill-and-fill dentist covered by insurance. … Read more

When we think about improving our health, losing weight, and living longer, oral health is rarely the first thing that comes to mind. We focus on a healthier heart, lungs, and brain—but what about a healthier mouth? The truth is that the mouth is connected to every other system in the body. The condition of … Read more