The Neuro Experience

This Type of Oral Bacteria Increases Cancer Risk

Aug 26, 2025
In this conversation, Dr. Staci Whitman, a board-certified pediatric dentist and founder of NoPo Kids Dentistry, delves into the surprising connections between oral health and overall wellness. She explains how oral bacteria can impact fertility, Alzheimer's risk, and even cancer. Discover the importance of saliva as a diagnostic tool, the potential of microbiome testing, and the relationship between dental hygiene and systemic health. Dr. Whitman also shares innovative health tips, emphasizing holistic practices for a healthier mouth and body.
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INSIGHT

Leaky Gums Drive Systemic Inflammation

  • Periodontal disease lets oral pathogens and their toxins enter the bloodstream via 'leaky gums'.
  • These inflammatory signals can fragment DNA and disrupt hormones, affecting fertility and sperm health.
INSIGHT

How Oral Bugs Reach Distant Organs

  • Oral pathogens reach distant organs through the circulatory and lymphatic systems and possibly nerves like the vagus.
  • Bacterial byproducts (lipopolysaccharides, cytokines) drive downstream inflammation in organs including the brain and placenta.
ADVICE

Start Oral Health With Nutrition And Breathing

  • Prioritize nutrition and nutrient sufficiency (vitamins D3, K2, minerals, magnesium) to optimize oral tissue and tooth remineralization.
  • Address airway and saliva: improve breathing, hydration, and salivary health because saliva protects and remineralizes teeth.
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