Defining Oral Health Beyond Brushing

A single overlooked bacteria in your mouth can alter hormones, disrupt implantation, and delay pregnancy — and most doctors never test for it.

That’s what I discovered reading a study showing that women with periodontal disease take two months longer to conceive, and that the gingivitis pathogen P. gingivalis has been found in the placentas of women who miscarried.

In this minisode, I sit down with biological dentist Dr. Staci Whitman to uncover how oral pathogens, inflammatory cytokines, and “leaky gums” impact reproductive health for both women and men. We discuss saliva, diet, mouth breathing, and why oral microbiome testing may be one of the most powerful—and overlooked—tools in fertility care.

This episode features highlights from our full conversation, which premiered August 26th, 2025. Watch the full episode here → https://youtu.be/vqcNFx4CRfk

If you care about hormones, fertility, pregnancy, or inflammation, this is a must-listen.

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I’m Louisa Nicola — clinical neurophysiologist — Alzheimer’s prevention specialist — founder of Neuro Athletics.

My mission is to translate cutting-edge neuroscience into actionable strategies for cognitive longevity, peak performance, and brain disease prevention.

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Topics discussed:
00:00:00 Introduction: The Oral Health-Fertility Connection 00:00:49 The Science Behind Periodontal Disease and Conception 00:01:23 Leaky Gums: The Gateway to Systemic Inflammation 00:04:25 The Complete Map of Oral Health 00:05:07 Nutrition: The Foundation of Oral Health 00:06:48 The Carnivore Paradox: Why Diet Matters More Than Brushing 00:09:55 The pH Factor: Acidity and Oral Disease 00:11:42 Eating Frequency and the Oral Microbiome 00:15:23 Saliva: Your Mouth's Golden Elixir 00:16:43 Testing Your Oral Microbiome

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