The mindbodygreen Podcast 616: Optimize your oral health for longevity | Staci Whitman, DMD
Sep 21, 2025
Dr. Staci Whitman, a board-certified pediatric dentist and founder of the Institute for Functional Dentistry, shares her expertise on oral health and its surprising connections to overall wellness. She discusses how oral health can influence cognitive function and longevity. Staci emphasizes the importance of proper nutrition, good oral hygiene practices like flossing, and nasal breathing. She also dives into fluoride alternatives, the risks of veneers, and her innovative oral care product line, Fygg, making oral health both functional and approachable.
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Mouth As Gateway To Whole-Body Health
- Oral health profoundly impacts systemic health, including brain and fertility via the oral microbiome.
- Think “leaky gums” as a pathway for pathogenic bacteria to trigger inflammation elsewhere in the body.
Test Your Oral Microbiome
- Use salivary oral microbiome testing (shotgun metagenomics) to identify harmful species like P. gingivalis and F. nucleatum.
- Follow targeted protocols from tests to eradicate pathogens and monitor clinical improvement.
Prioritize Diet, Airway, Then Hygiene
- Prioritize diet, hydration, and airway (nasal) breathing to protect bone and gum health.
- Floss, water-pick, brush, and tongue scrape to disrupt oral biofilm and preserve tissue.