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

Last week I helped my son-in-law fix a leaky kitchen faucet. The culprit was a worn rubber gasket. It should have made a watertight seal, but after years of use it had deteriorated—and water was leaking everywhere. “If we don’t replace this,” I told him, “you’re not just dealing with a drip. You’re facing water … Read more