Ask the Dentist with Dr. Mark Burhenne

There is a rising body of knowledge about the importance of the oral microbiome for the maintenance of oral health, but we are still a long way off from understanding things in their entirety. Today on the show, we answer a listener question about how to maintain an optimal state in the oral microbiome! Dr. B gets into some habits revolving around diet, brushing, flossing, and even taping the mouth shut while we sleep. In his explanations, he elaborates on the role that plaque plays in keeping the oral microbiome healthy, the harmful effects of modern toothpaste, and the connection between the microbiome's health and overall wellbeing. He also talks about which kinds of dentists to see if you would like to get reliable information about the oral microbiome because not all dentists are trained or even aware of this topic that is so central to their craft! Tune in today!Key Points From This Episode:Growing recognition about the importance of the oral microbiome.A listener question about how to keep the oral microbiome in an optimum state.The link between the oral and gut microbiome and what foods to avoid eating.Different colonies of biomes that exist in different areas of the mouth.The importance of the biofilm or plaque for protecting the teeth.Taping the mouth when sleeping because of how much an open mouth can affect the biome.Why the paleo diet is so helpful for keeping the oral microbiome balanced.The role genetics can play in people having different experiences with their microbiome.All the threatening chemicals that are in fluoridated toothpaste like emulsifiers and surfactants.Which types of dentists to see who will be qualified to advise about the oral microbiome.Where we are in our efforts to measure the health of microbiomes.Everybody has a unique microbiome, making testing and diagnosis difficult.How to still get hydroxyapatite if you stop using toothpaste.How to Submit Your Question:Record your question for Dr. B at speakpipe.com/askthedentistTweetables:“These orifices that aren’t closed most of the time, or sealed up, like the nose and the mouth, they need protection. They need a very active biome and immune function.” — @askthedentist [0:05:52]“Everyone is unique when it comes to their biome.” — @askthedentist [0:11:25]Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Ask the Dentist WebsiteAbout Dr. Mark BurhenneFollow Dr. B on Instagram @askthedentistFollow Dr. B on Twitter @askthedentistAsk Dr. B a QuestionFunctional Dentist DirectoryThe Dental DietThe Dental Diet affiliate link: https://amzn.toCheck Out My NEW Line of Toothpaste and Professional Dental Varnish!! Check out Dr. B's website for more information: https://askthedentist.com Subscribe to Dr. B's newsletter Mondays with Mark: https://askthedentist.com/newsletter

Today on the show Dr. B gets a question from a listener about whether it is necessary to do surgery on a one-year-old due to the formation of their frenum attachment. The frenum, in simple terms, is the web-like skin tag that connects the upper lip to the upper gum. Dr. B busts a few myths about the frenum attachment to the upper gum and the role this plays in causing gaps in teeth. He talks about the fact that gaps in teeth in young children are normal and also makes sure to suggest which types of associated conditions related to the frenum attachment are cause for concern. Tune in today!Key Points From This Episode:A question about whether it is necessary to intervene in a diastema in a one-year-old.Whether a piece of skin joining the upper lip to the gums will cause a gap tooth.It is typical to expect spaces between teeth in children around the age of one.Issues that can become serious because of a frenum tie.When to see a specialist who deals with lip and tongue ties.How to Submit Your Question:Record your question for Dr. B at speakpipe.com/askthedentistTweetables:“If the frenum attaches too low to the edge of the gums close to the teeth, the thinking is, and again this is a bit of a myth, that that could cause separation of those two teeth, otherwise known as a diastema.” — @askthedentist [0:01:30]“The space that you are seeing between E and F now is probably a good thing.” — @askthedentist [0:01:30]Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Ask the Dentist WebsiteAbout Dr. Mark BurhenneFollow Dr. B on Instagram @askthedentistFollow Dr. B on Twitter @askthedentistAsk Dr. B a QuestionFunctional Dentist DirectoryCheck Out My NEW Line of Toothpaste and Professional Dental Varnish!! Check out Dr. B's website for more information: https://askthedentist.com Subscribe to Dr. B's newsletter Mondays with Mark: https://askthedentist.com/newsletter

Welcome to the first episode of Ask the Dentist, hosted by Dr. Mark Burhenne. The premise of this show is the same as that of askthedentist.com: to help patients inform themselves so that they can play an active role in the maintenance of their oral health. This podcast will also introduce you to the concept of functional dentistry, which is a root cause and integrative approach to treating dental symptoms and aims to bridge the gap between physicians and dentists. Our host will use each episode to dive deep into a listener question with a well-rounded and actionable discussion. For today’s show, Dr. B talks about tooth fractures, the different types of tooth fractures, and what to do about them. So tune in today and be sure to listen in on future episodes so that you can continue to empower yourself and know what to ask as well as what to expect the next time you find yourself in the chair! Dr. B of course can’t give medical or dental advice on this show, but he can share pointers on how to interact with your own dentist.Key Points From This Episode:The main aim of this podcast, to help our listeners play an active role in their dental healthSome of the pointers you will hear on this show, such as how to interact with your dentistSupport we offer at askthedentist.com about functionally-minded dentists to visitThe problem of physicians and dentists practicing in separate lanesA question from a listener about how Dr. B would treat a tooth with a small fractureThe likelihood that the listener’s issue is a ‘craze line,’ and what this meansHow to tell if a crack in your tooth is a craze line and what to do about itPossible causes of craze lines such as grinding, accidents, and moreThe structure of the tooth and how this plays into their tendency to crackApproaches dentists use to assess a crack in a toothHow a crack can get more severe and the value of treating it before this happensHow to Submit Your Question:Record your question for Dr. B at speakpipe.com/askthedentist Tweetables:“Listeners will be able to ask me questions they have about oral health and I’ll use each episode as an opportunity to dive into a well-rounded discussion that can lead to actionable solutions.” — @askthedentist [0:00:42]“Oral health affects systemic health. It is all connected.” — @askthedentist [0:01:11]“Most of us will get craze lines, not to worry, but if you get a fracture, definitely act on it right away.” — @askthedentist [0:08:50]Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Ask the Dentist WebsiteAbout Dr. Mark BurhenneFollow Dr. B on Instagram @askthedentistFollow Dr. B on Twitter @askthedentistCheck Out My NEW Line of Toothpaste and Professional Dental Varnish!! Check out Dr. B's website for more information: https://askthedentist.com Subscribe to Dr. B's newsletter Mondays with Mark: https://askthedentist.com/newsletter