Huberman Lab

How to Improve Oral Health & Its Critical Role in Brain & Body Health

Feb 12, 2024

Discover the surprising connection between oral health and overall well-being. Learn how proper brushing, flossing, and diet can protect against diseases like dementia. Dive into the science of teeth remineralization and the harmful effects of sugar and mouth breathing. Explore innovative, budget-friendly methods to enhance your oral hygiene. This enlightening discussion emphasizes that maintaining a healthy mouth is crucial not just for a bright smile, but for mental and physical health too.

01:56:06

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Quick takeaways

Maintaining good oral health includes avoiding habits such as excessive alcohol consumption, stimulant drug use, smoking or vaping, and excessive sugar intake.

Proper saliva flow and alkaline pH levels are crucial for preventing tooth decay and promoting remineralization.

Individuals can make personal choices about fluoride use based on their own research and understanding of the benefits and risks.

Establishing and maintaining good oral hygiene practices, including regular brushing, flossing, and dental check-ups, is essential for oral health.

Xylitol can be advantageous for oral health by inhibiting cavity-causing bacteria and reducing inflammation in gum tissue.

Deep dives

Avoiding Harmful Habits

In order to maintain good oral health, it is important to avoid certain habits. These include consuming excessive alcohol, using stimulant drugs, smoking or vaping, and consuming excessive sugar. It is also important to avoid mouth breathing and acidic foods, as these can negatively impact the teeth and overall oral health.

Xylitol: A Powerful Tool for Oral Health

02:36

Balance Acidity to Prevent Cavities

01:26

The Benefits of Tongue Brushing

01:42

The Importance of Using a Soft Toothbrush for Correct Brushing

02:00

Intro

2min

The Overlooked Connection Between Oral Health and Overall Wellness

6min

Unlocking Oral Health

18min

The Interplay of Oral Health and Overall Wellness

1h 22min

The Importance of Oral Health in Overall Wellness

10min

Essential Practices for Optimal Oral and Overall Health

3min

In this episode, I discuss the importance of oral health for dental and microbiome health and general physical and mental well-being. I explain science-supported protocols for strengthening your teeth and gums, including how to remineralize your teeth. I cover the best approaches and timing for brushing and flossing, tongue, gum, and oral microbiome care and how oral health is critically important to offset metabolic, cardiac, and brain diseases, including dementia. I also discuss proper nutrition for oral health, fluoride, and how sugar and mouth breathing can accelerate tooth decay. This episode ought to be of interest to everyone seeking to improve their physical health, mental health, and lifespan, given the critical role that oral health plays in all of these.

Read the full show notes for this episode at hubermanlab.com.

Thank you to our sponsors

AG1: https://drinkag1.com/huberman

LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/hubermanlab

Timestamps

00:00:00 Oral Health

00:03:44 Sponsor: LMNT

00:07:13 Oral Health Quiz

00:13:53 Teeth Biology, Cavity Repair

00:20:01 Mouth, Gums, Saliva

00:23:54 Sponsor: AG1

00:28:51 Cavity Formation, Bacteria, Sugar, Acidity

00:35:10 Teeth Remineralization, Fluoride, Water

00:43:58 Tools: The “Do Nots” of Oral Health, Mouth Breathing

00:54:48 Tools: Fasting & Teeth Remineralization; Nighttime Toothbrushing

01:03:23 Proper Teeth Brushing; Tooth Sensitivity & Gums

01:08:16 Bacteria, Plaque & Tartar; Tooth Polishing

01:11:02 Proper Flossing Technique, Waterpik; Children & Flossing

01:14:23 Tool: Xylitol, Bacteria & Cavity Prevention

01:19:43 Toothpastes: Xylitol, Fluoride, Hydroxyapatite

01:22:38 Mouthwash & Alcohol, Antiseptic Mouthwash

01:26:29 Tools: Baking Soda, Hydrogen Peroxide?, Salt Water Rinse

01:32:36 Alcohol-Based Mouthwash, Nitric Oxide

01:34:52 Tools: Canker Sore Prevention & Gut Microbiome; Sleep

01:37:47 Tools: Tongue Brushing; Toothbrush Care

01:41:38 Teeth Sealants; Metal Fillings, Mercury, Mastic Gum; Root Canals

01:48:43 Dentist Visits, Daily Routines & Oral Health

01:54:17 Practices for Oral Health, Oil Pulling

01:58:21 Zero-Cost Support, Spotify & Apple Reviews, YouTube Feedback, Sponsors, Momentous, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter

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Huberman Lab

How to Improve Oral Health & Its Critical Role in Brain & Body Health

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

Avoiding Harmful Habits

Importance of Saliva and pH Balance

Fluoride and Its Controversies

Maintaining Good Oral Hygiene Practices

Maintaining Optimal pH for Oral Health

The Role of Xylitol in Oral Health

Toothpaste, Fillings, and Tongue Care

The importance of oral health and its connection to overall health

Effective toothpaste alternatives and the importance of routine dental check-ups

Xylitol: A Powerful Tool for Oral Health

Balance Acidity to Prevent Cavities

The Benefits of Tongue Brushing

The Importance of Using a Soft Toothbrush for Correct Brushing

Thank you to our sponsors

Timestamps

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts