620: Dentist Reveals the Worst Foods Destroying Your Mouth & Overall Health (Eat This) | Dr. Kevin Stock
Oct 1, 2024
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In this engaging discussion, Dr. Kevin Stock, a dentist dedicated to oral-systemic health, shares his insights on how diet shapes dental well-being. He highlights the dangers of carbohydrate-rich foods and promotes a meat-based diet for optimal oral health. The conversation delves into the significance of the oral microbiome, the benefits of raw A2 milk, and the role of electrolytes. They also explore innovative solutions like mouth taping for better sleep and practical tips for maintaining oral hygiene, emphasizing the connection between nutrition and overall health.
The shift from a hunter-gatherer diet to agriculture over 10,000 years ago significantly increased oral health issues like cavities.
Diet plays a crucial role in oral health, with carbohydrates leading to decay while proteins and fats do not.
High blood sugar affects fluid transport in teeth, increasing decay risk, underscoring the need for carbohydrate management.
Nutritional integrity in animal products is vital, advocating for grass-fed beef while questioning the need for supplementation.
Deep dives
The Agricultural Revolution and Oral Health
The episode discusses how the transition from a hunter-gatherer lifestyle to agricultural practices markedly changed human diets. Approximately 10,000 years ago, the dietary shift introduced a significant increase in carbohydrates and grains, correlating with a rise in dental issues, such as cavities and periodontal disease, as reflected in the fossil record. Before this agricultural revolution, there is no evidence of cavities or malocclusion among early humans. This transformation suggests that a return to a more meat-based diet might align better with our evolutionary dietary patterns for improved oral health.
Diet's Role in Oral Health
The conversation emphasizes that diet plays a crucial role in preventing oral health issues such as cavities. It is established that oral bacteria ferment carbohydrates, producing acids that lead to tooth decay, whereas proteins and fats do not contribute to this problem. Reducing carbohydrate intake, especially sugars and refined grains, can significantly improve oral health. The host stresses the importance of a balanced intake of macronutrients, recommending a diet rich in proteins and healthy fats to bolster dental health.
The Impact of Acidity on Dental Health
Several factors contribute to increased acidity in the mouth, notably the consumption of sugary and acidic drinks. The episode highlights that beverages like soda, with their inherent phosphoric acid, create an extremely acidic environment in the mouth that promotes enamel erosion and cavities. In contrast, drinking plain water or chewing encourages saliva flow, which helps neutralize acidity. This understanding reinforces the idea that dietary choices significantly affect oral health.
Dental Fluids and Sugar Consumption
The episode discusses dental fluid transport, specifically how high blood sugar levels impact fluid flow within teeth. When blood sugar spikes, fluid that naturally sweats out of teeth can stagnate or reverse, increasing susceptibility to decay as bacteria cling more easily. This further underscores the relationship between high carbohydrate diets and oral health problems, suggesting that managing blood sugar through diet is vital for maintaining healthy teeth. The insights bring attention to the biological interplay between sugars, fluids, and dental health.
Understanding the Human Diet Through Time
Context on the evolution of the human diet is provided, illustrating that for most of human history, a meat-based diet prevailed. The discussion suggests that only in the last hour on a 24-hour timeline of human existence—representing the agricultural revolution—did significant oral health issues emerge. The guest emphasizes that modern-day oral health problems are largely a reflection of dietary changes, specifically the integration of agricultural practices that favor carbohydrates. This reinforces the view that modern diets diverge significantly from those of our ancestors.
Differentiating Animal Protein Sources
The episode addresses the differences between various animal proteins, emphasizing the nutritional benefits of ruminants like cows over non-ruminant animals. Cows are discussed as providing healthier fat profiles due to their grain-free diets, while the podcast discourages the use of poultry and pork raised on unnatural feeds. The guest argues that the consumption of grass-fed beef is preferable and aligns with an ancestral dietary approach. This distinction signals the importance of sourcing animal products based on nutritional integrity.
Supplementation and Nutritional Needs
Debate on vitamin supplementation is prominent, particularly concerning nutrients like vitamin D and iodine. The guest expresses skepticism about the necessity of widespread supplementation, advocating instead for obtaining vitamins through a nutrient-dense diet. Describing a real-life experiment with vitamin levels and body composition, he concludes that whole foods can fulfill most nutritional requirements. This highlights that proper diet should precede supplementation unless a deficiency is clinically proven.
Oral Care Routine for Optimal Health
The host shares a straightforward oral hygiene routine consisting of basic yet effective practices such as brushing with water instead of toothpaste in the morning and using hydroxyapatite toothpaste at night. He stresses the importance of not mouth breathing and emphasizes the crucial role diet plays in maintaining oral health. Regular flossing and using an electric toothbrush are also included in the regimen, reflecting a no-nonsense approach to oral care. This routine aligns with the overarching theme of the episode: that prevention through diet and simple hygiene is central to dental health.
