When I began my dental career, the introduction of hydrogen peroxide for teeth whitening felt revolutionary. It was satisfying—and profitable—to help patients feel more confident with brighter smiles. Over time, though, we learned important caveats about whitening agents and their effects on oral health. Carbamide peroxide, a widely used whitening ingredient, works by oxidizing stains. … Read more

Most dentists will tell you to use a numbing gel, avoid spicy foods, and wait for canker sores to pass. Here’s what they don’t usually mention: A 1977 study found that zinc supplementation cut canker sore recurrence by 50% to 100% in patients with low zinc levels. Yet decades later, many people with recurrent canker … Read more

Making your own toothpaste can be rewarding and healthier than many commercial options. Store-bought toothpastes often include ingredients that may be unnecessary or potentially harmful, and fluoride — commonly added to many brands — can be toxic in large amounts. This guide covers safe, effective ingredients to use in DIY toothpaste and which ingredients to … Read more

Q Hi, I am getting braces soon, and I was wondering, do ALL your teeth have to have fallen out for you to get them? A Great question, Brooke. Don’t wait until every baby tooth has fallen out—by then you may have missed the best time to correct your bite. Today’s best approach often involves … Read more

Last week I shared my personal longevity must‑haves. The response was overwhelming—many readers wrote about living with chronic illness, caring for parents with dementia, or simply wanting to remain healthy for their children and grandchildren. Others asked sharp, science‑focused questions about longevity. I read every message and noticed recurring themes. Below I address the most … Read more

An underbite is an orthodontic condition in which the lower teeth and jaw extend beyond the upper teeth. It affects roughly 5–10% of people worldwide, with higher prevalence reported in some populations. For example, about 15% of individuals of Chinese descent develop an underbite compared with roughly 5% of people in the United States, which … Read more

What if the most powerful, microbiome-friendly mouthwash wasn’t bottled in plastic but brewed in your teacup? I originally drank green tea for its antioxidants and gentle caffeine lift, but I didn’t think much about its effects in the mouth until I started reviewing oral microbiome research. The findings were eye-opening: Green tea helps more than … Read more

Here’s exactly what I would do and eat to try to reverse a small cavity. Cavities are not always permanent. Teeth are living tissues capable of repairing themselves through remineralization, a process where minerals such as calcium and phosphate—delivered by saliva—are redeposited into enamel. For remineralization to succeed, the body and mouth must be in … Read more

Today I’m pleased to share guidance from Amie Valpone on an often-overlooked health issue: candida in the mouth (oral thrush). Amie’s piece highlights practical, evidence-informed approaches — including oil pulling — that can help support oral microbial balance. Oil pulling is not a cure-all, but when used appropriately it can aid the mouth’s microbiome and … Read more

October is National Dental Hygiene Month, a time to raise awareness about proper oral care, including brushing and flossing techniques. It’s also an opportunity to recognize the vital work dental hygienists do: screening for disease, teaching prevention strategies, and performing professional cleanings that are essential to preventing oral and systemic disease. To honor dental hygiene … Read more