If you read Ask the Dentist regularly, you know we often discuss the mouth-body connection. Recent research continues to show how oral health affects the rest of the body—impacting heart health, brain function, sleep quality, and overall well-being. You might not include dental care when setting goals to eat healthier, sleep better, or lose weight, … Read more

Hearing that you need dental surgery can feel overwhelming at first. With many procedures and treatments in oral and maxillofacial surgery, it’s normal to have questions. You may be wondering about average costs, available options, how to prepare, and ways to speed recovery. This article explains 12 common types of dental surgery, why each may … Read more

I was bike riding this morning and found myself thinking about New Year’s resolutions. Actually, that’s not quite accurate—I was thinking about how I don’t make them. Never have. I began to wonder why the word “resolution” bothers me so much. Then it hit me: resolute. Do you know what that word really means? Unwavering. … Read more

Q My two-year-old has a slight underbite that seems to result from her lower jaw coming farther forward than her upper jaw (rather than due to lower teeth protruding outwards). Is this something that might self-correct over time? What is the earliest age when we’ll know it’s time to seek treatment if the underbite hasn’t … Read more

Both of my parents died from dementia-related illnesses. Watching them lose memory, personality, and independence was devastating, and it also spurred me to learn everything I could about preventing cognitive decline. Dementia isn’t simply an unavoidable consequence of aging. Often it reflects decades of small insults: chronic inflammation, declining mitochondrial function, poor sleep, oral disease, … Read more

Back in dental school my classmates nicknamed me “Consumer Reports” because I was always the one researching everything—car seats, stereos, you name it. That curiosity never faded. These days my deep dives focus on health, longevity, and most importantly, sleep. Good sleep isn’t luck—it’s a strategy. Below are the reliable, practical habits and tools that … Read more

Treating yourself to a bowl of ice cream doesn’t have to mean compromising your oral health. This mango-banana “nice” cream is a creamy, refreshing treat that’s gentle on teeth and gums while delivering bright tropical flavor. Mango Banana “Nice” Cream This banana-mango “nice” cream is an effortless way to enjoy a cool, fruity dessert any … Read more

Q I’m going to Costa Rica on a surfing trip with my buddies next week and since my dentist told me I needed a crown, I’m thinking of having it done there since I’ve heard it’s a quarter of the cost. Is it safe to get my crown done in Costa Rica or in any … Read more

Sometimes the solution to persistent dental problems isn’t a new toothbrush or a stricter routine—it’s a missing mineral. Many patients brush, floss, and follow a healthy diet, yet still develop cavities, grind their teeth, or wake with sore facial muscles from nighttime clenching. They often report feeling tired, wired, or both despite doing everything “right.” … Read more

I had a colonoscopy last year. Sitting in the prep room, one thought kept returning: a connection most gastroenterologists rarely discuss. You see your dentist twice a year. They examine your mouth closely for an hour, chart gum pockets, note bleeding, photograph recession. Dentists often know your mouth better than anyone in healthcare and see … Read more