There is no completely risk-free way to whiten teeth, but many people choose to do it to improve their smile. Teeth whitening is a personal decision and something you should raise with your dentist if you want it. Like any cosmetic procedure, it carries benefits and risks, so informed choices matter. Over time, teeth tend … Read more

Q Dr. B, how important is it to clean your tongue? I’ve seen tongue scrapers at the drugstore but am wondering if they really help. A Brushing and flossing are essential for oral health, but cleaning your tongue is an often overlooked step that makes a meaningful difference. Using a tongue scraper is a simple, … Read more

Every night, after my wife and I say goodnight, I reach into the bedside drawer for a roll of mouth tape. With relaxed lips I keep them closed and place a strip over them before I turn off the lights. Sound strange? At first I thought so too, but the health benefits of nose breathing … Read more

Q I went to the dentist today and my normal office visit is 10 dollars. But today they charged me fifteen dollars — ten dollars for the official and five dollars for something called the acid etch fee. Is that an actual fee? A What you describe sounds like a managed-care or HMO-style dental office. … Read more

An “anti-nutrient” found in seeds, roots, and bran can have a meaningful effect on your dental health. Phytic acid, a compound present in many grains and plant foods, can significantly reduce your body’s ability to absorb minerals that are essential for strong teeth. Phytic acid occurs only in plant-based foods, so you may be consuming … Read more

Maintaining healthy, cavity-free teeth involves more than brushing and flossing. Diet plays a crucial role in supporting tooth remineralization and balancing the oral microbiome, and vitamin K2-rich foods are central to that approach. In 1939, dentist Weston A. Price published research showing that many traditional cultures experienced long lifespans, low rates of chronic disease, and … Read more

Q Over the past few years, my front teeth have become increasingly translucent. I started to notice it after I used Listerine teeth whitening strips (which I noticed have been pulled off the market.) Can whitening my teeth make them appear translucent? Is there anything that can be done to correct my smile? A It’s … Read more

If you use mouthwash every day, that familiar bottle of blue or green liquid might be doing more harm than good. Some conventional mouthwashes contain harsh chemicals that can disrupt the oral environment, dry the mouth, and even contribute to bad breath and cavity formation. Fortunately, you can make an effective, microbiome-friendly alternative at home: … Read more

I love skiing in winter, but every time I’m on the slopes I wince when I see people exhaling visible clouds of water vapor. My immediate thought: they’re losing water quickly, they’ll feel it later in sore muscles, and when they get home their breath will likely be worse. Mouth breathing dries the delicate mucosa … Read more

This newsletter is brought to you by our sponsor, BIOptimizers, makers of my all-time favorite magnesium: Click here for the BEST Black Friday Discount I’m writing this fresh from Miami, where I recorded a podcast with Ben Azadi of Keto Kamp (subscribe on YouTube so you don’t miss it—it drops in December). While there, I … Read more