Exploring Oral Health and Functional Medicine Insights

The Functional Medicine Approach To Oral Health | This episode is sponsored by Belcampo and BetterHelp

Oral health is connected to full-body health in myriad ways. In fact, conditions ranging from obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and even dementia are all directly connected to poor oral health. In this episode, Dr. Hyman speaks with Dr. Todd LePine about how to address dental health from a functional medicine perspective. They discuss everything from basic oral hygiene to mercury fillings to root canals, and more. They also discuss cases they’ve treated in which there was a link between the patient’s oral health and their systemic health.

Dr. LePine graduated from Dartmouth Medical School and is Board Certified in Internal Medicine, specializing in Integrative Functional Medicine. He is an Institute for Functional Medicine Certified Practitioner. Prior to joining The UltraWellness Center, he worked as a physician at Canyon Ranch in Lenox, MA, for 10 years. Dr. LePine’s focus at The UltraWellness Center is to help his patients achieve optimal health and vitality by restoring the natural balance to both the mind and the body. His areas of interest include optimal aging, bio-detoxification, functional gastrointestinal health, systemic inflammation, autoimmune disorders and the neurobiology of mood and cognitive disorders. Dr. LePine teaches around the world, and has given lectures to doctors and patients at American College for Advancement in Medicine (ACAM), Age Management Medicine Group (AMMG), the University of Miami Integrative Medicine Conference, The Kripalu Center in Lenox, MA, and is on the faculty for American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine (A4M). Dr. LePine is the head of the Scientific Advisory Board for Designs for Health and a consultant for Diagnostic Solutions Laboratory. He enjoys skiing, kayaking, hiking, camping and golfing in the beautiful Berkshires, and is a fitness enthusiast.

This episode is sponsored by Belcampo and BetterHelp.

Right now, you can order Belcampo’s sustainably-raised meats to be delivered to your door using my code HYMAN at Belcampo.com/Hyman for 20% off for first-time customers. 

BetterHelp lets you get affordable counseling anytime, from anywhere. As a Doctor’s Farmacy listener you can get 10% off right now by going to betterhelp.com/drhyman.

In this episode, Dr. Hyman and Dr. LePine discuss:

• The link between oral health and diseases such as Alzheimer’s, dementia, diabetes, cancer, and many more

• Traditional vs. biological approaches to dentistry

• The dangers of metal fillings

• Root canals

• The connection between the mouth and the gut

• How gluten can lead to weakened tooth enamel

• Improving oral health through diet and nutrition

Additional Resources:

Functional Dentist Directory 

askthedentist.com/directory

The International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (IAOMT) 

https://iaomt.org/

The Role of the Gut-Oral Microbiome In Systemic Health - Slides

https://drhyman.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/The-Role-of-the-Gut_Oral-Microbiome-in-systemic-health-1.pdf

Tooth & Gums Tonic

https://www.dentalherb.com/

Therabreath

https://www.therabreath.com/

Whole Health Dentistry: Why Your Mouth Is The Key To Your Body's Health

https://www.amazon.com/Whole-Body-Dentistry-Complete-Understanding-Impact/dp/0967844312

Wellness Dentistry Network

https://wellnessdentistrynetwork.com/

The Broken Brain Podcast – The Importance of Dental Care in Whole Body Health with Dr. Steven Lin

https://drhyman.com/blog/2018/08/09/the-broken-brain-podcast-the-importance-of-dental-care-in-whole-body-health-with-dr-steven-lin-15/

Are Root Canals Dangerous? with Dr. Rouzita Rashtian, DDS

https://drhyman.com/blog/2020/11/05/bb-ep166/

Clean Mouth, Clean Brain

https://drhyman.com/blog/2019/12/03/clean-mouth-clean-brain/