Get ready to revolutionize your oral health! We've got a wealth of wisdom to share that will empower you to take control of your smile. This episode of Ask the Dentist is all about oral health, hydration, and the powerful role of minerals and electrolytes. We dive into why staying hydrated is more than just good for your body—it's key to maintaining a vibrant smile.Key Points From This Episode: 0:00:00 - Importance of Electrolytes for Oral Health 0:09:33 - Saliva and Minerals for Tooth Health 0:13:45 Critical pH + What Dehydrates Us 0:17:01 - How Much Sodium Should One Take + What I Use 0:19:10 - Does Consuming Minerals Curb Hunger? 0:21:00 - How To Re-Mineralize Your Water Sponsored By:LMNTGet 8 FREE packs with any order at DrinkLMNT.com/AskTheDentistShow Links:Reset Your Oral Microbiome: A 10-Module, Self-Paced Online Course with Dr. B and Dr. StaciHow to Submit Your Question:Record your question for Dr. B at speakpipe.com/askthedentistCheck out Dr. B's website for more information: https://askthedentist.comCheck 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

On the first episode of my "Small Bites" series, I am going to share with you how to clean your oral appliances effectively without harming your oral microbiome.  Did you ever stop to think that your oral appliance might be contributing to an imbalance in your mouth’s microbiome? That's the startling realization I came to after noticing recurring issues with my oral health. In today's episode, we're venturing into the often-neglected realm of oral appliance care, exploring how improper cleaning routines can inadvertently disrupt our oral microbiome. We'll also dive into the potential dangers of using aggressive cleaners, and how they can have a more harmful impact than you'd imagine.Key Points From This Episode:0:03:54 - The Importance of Cleaning Oral Appliances0:06:07 - How to Tell if Your Appliances Are Not Clean0:07:09 - Ultrasonic Cleaners0:12:33 - Retainer Care and the Oral Microbiome Products Mentioned:Ultrasonic Cleaner - use code ASKTHEDENTIST for 10% off https://www.zimadental.co/discount/ASKTHEDENTISTBristle Oral Microbiome Test -  Use code “DRB” for 10% offhttps://www.bristlehealth.com/?ref=zju5nwi Check Out Dr. Mark: Ask the Dentist About Dr. Mark Burhenne Follow Dr. B on Instagram @askthedentist Follow Dr. B on Twitter @askthedentist Ask Dr. B a Question Functional Dentist Directory What Dr. B Recommends Check 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

Prepare to broaden your dental knowledge as we delve into the world of Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) in dentistry.  I'll guide you through the intricacies of SDF, discussing its components, FDA approval and off-label uses. We'll also evaluate the role of silver and fluoride in SDF and their potential benefits against dental hypersensitivity and tooth decay, arming you with the knowledge to make an informed decision about using this product.  I also confront potential risks and concerns with SDF treatment as well as silver's properties, the potential bioaccumulation, and the effects of it entering the body.Key Points From This Episode: 0:05:24 - Understanding Silver Diamine Fluoride 0:09:32 - Discussion on Fluoride and Silver Toothpaste  0:14:40 - Treating Cavities With SDF Varnish  0:20:47 - Contraindications and Concerns With SDF Treatment 0:25:24 - Silver Diamine Fluoride Safety and Efficacy 0:35:43 - SDF Procedure and Silver Accumulation Concerns Show Links:https://oralscience.com/en/products/advantage-arrest/https://askthedentist.com/directory/How to Submit Your Question:Record your question for Dr. B at speakpipe.com/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

Get ready to untangle the mysteries around children's dental care woes. In this episode, we're tackling a surprisingly common issue - loose baby teeth. We offer kid-friendly practical advice that's easy to understand and use. We also dive into a more complex case of our friend Calhoun, who's experiencing tooth decay due to low saliva count post-surgery and radiation therapy. We demystify why Calhoun has been prescribed a potent fluoride rinse and even explore potential alternatives.Key Points From This Episode:0:02:18 - Loose Baby Teeth + What to Do0:07:09 - Tooth Eruption Dental Care and Comfort 0:09:08 - Non-Fluoride Alternatives for Dental Care0:21:04 - How to sign up for my Oral Health Newsletter 0:23:05 - Importance of Professional Dental CareHow to Submit Your Question:Record your question for Dr. B at speakpipe.com/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

Did you know that the oral microbiome plays a crucial role in not only oral health but also in systemic health, cardiovascular disease, colon cancer, and even Alzheimer's disease? Join us as we dive into this fascinating topic with Dr. David Lin, PhD, the Chief Scientific Officer at Bristle, to understand the importance of testing and interpreting our oral microbiome for better overall health.Key Points From This Episode:0:00:41 - Interpreting Oral Microbiome Test Results 0:04:33 - The Importance of the Oral Microbiome 0:09:13 - Targeted Detection of Pathogens 0:19:19 - Easy Access Health Baseline Test0:23:39 - Oral Microbiome and Halitosis 0:32:38 - Microbiome Analysis and Comparison 0:43:30 - Personalized Phage Therapy for Oral Microbiome0:47:39 - Burning Mouth Syndrome Treatment 0:50:50 - Customization and Coaching for Dental Patients Check Out David LinDavid Lin on LinkedInBristleCass Nelson-DooleyInterview: Why We Shouldn’t Ignore the MicrobiomeBristle Oral Microbiome At-Home TestingHow to Submit Your Question:Record your question for Dr. B at speakpipe.com/askthedentist Check Out Dr. BAsk the DentistAbout Dr. Mark BurhenneFollow Dr. B on Instagram @askthedentistFollow Dr. B on Twitter @askthedentistAsk Dr. B a QuestionFunctional Dentist DirectoryWhat Dr. B RecommendsCheck 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

Discover how to combat recurrent decay and protect your teeth from cavities that lurk beneath fillings and dental restorations. Join me, Dr. B as I share over 36 years of functional dentistry knowledge and dive into the fascinating world of artificial intelligence in dentistry.Learn about the variety of fillings available, their lifespans, and the risks of polymerization shrinkage – all crucial factors in preventing recurrent decay. We'll also discuss the game-changing potential of AI in detecting decay, the importance of sticking with a trusted functional dentist, and how to find the perfect practitioner for your needs through our ever-growing directory. Don't miss out on this opportunity to gain invaluable insights on maintaining your oral health and staying ahead of recurrent decay.Key Points From This Episode: 0:05:45 - Recurrent Decay and Marginal Opening  0:10:27 - The Risks of Leaking Fillings  0:14:53 - Advantages of Plastic Fillings  0:18:21 - Advantages and Disadvantages of Metal Fillings  0:22:06 - AI in Dentistry  0:25:35 - Recurrent Decay and Dental Work  How to Submit Your Question:Record your question for Dr. B at speakpipe.com/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

Our Instagram page has seen a recent influx of questions about cavities, so today; Dr. B answers some of those questions to help you gain a better understanding of how cavities are formed and what you can do to prevent them. It seems that dentistry is caught in a tunnel-vision cycle of cavity re-restoration, but to end this cycle, we need to first understand that cavities are an ongoing disease process and also still the world’s number one disease. After laying out the differences between demineralization and remineralization, Dr. B explains the Stephan Curve and how it gives us a better understanding of how cavities are formed.  We also learn more about critical PH, how long it takes for a cavity to form, why remineralization is slower than demineralization, and the ever-present importance of saliva.  Dr. B wraps up this episode by explaining why he chose this topic and offering some useful tips on how to both treat and prevent cavity formations. Key Points From This Episode: Dr. B answers a series of questions from Instagram about cavities [00:18] A quick look at the history of dentistry and fixing cavities [01:34] The tunnel-vision cycle of re-restoration [02:38] Why it’s important to understand that cavities are a disease process [03:20] Understanding the equilibrium of demineralization and remineralization [04:54] The ins and outs of the Stephan Curve as an explanation of how cavities form [06:28] Diving deeper into demineralization: the beginning of the formation of a cavity [12:54] The tipping point of critical PH [18:01] How long it takes for a cavity to form [19:18] Exploring the enamel remineralization process [20:42] How remineralization is a slower process than demineralization [22:58] The importance of saliva quantity and quality in cavity prevention [25:00] How fluoride helps facilitate remineralization and other ways to achieve equilibrium [26:15] The way saliva promotes remineralization through proteins [29:32] Recapping everything Dr. B has discussed today and why he chose this topic [31:40] How to Submit Your Question:Record your question for Dr. B at speakpipe.com/askthedentist Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:The Stephan Curve Ask the DentistAbout Dr. Mark BurhenneFollow Dr. B on Instagram @askthedentistFollow Dr. B on Twitter @askthedentistAsk Dr. B a QuestionFunctional Dentist DirectoryWhat Dr. B RecommendsCheck 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 we are joined by Dr. David Perlmutter to discuss how oral health (and health in general) relates to brain health. Tuning in, you’ll hear all about Dr. Perlmutter’s illustrious career, what prompted him to study the brain microbiome, and how your overall health affects the health of your brain. Dr. Perlmutter has discovered that there are two primary issues causing leaky gut and in this episode, he explains what they are and how they are treated/worsened. We even delve into how the brain works, what permeates the blood-brain barrier, inflammation in the brain, and so much more! Next, we get into the nitty gritty as we discuss how oral diseases affect the brain, the effects fluoride has on the brain and IQ, and what happens when the mitochondrial brain function is disrupted. Finally, Dr. Perlmutter explains why the pineal gland calcifying prematurely is problematic. You don’t want to miss out on this incredibly informative episode, so tune in now!Key Points From This Episode: Introducing our guest, neurologist, Dr. David Perlmutter to discuss oral health as it relates to brain health [00:00:21] An overview of Dr. Perlmutter’s career so far, his achievements, awards, appearances, and books [00:01:57] The connections between oral health and overall health [00:04:36] What prompted Dr. Perlmutter to get involved in brain microbiome research and how inflammation plays a role [00:11:23] The two primary things that are causing leaky gut: dysbiosis and non-celiac gluten sensitivity and how medication and food affect gut bacteria [00:14:16] What affects the permeability of the blood-brain barrier, what types of bacteria and viruses are found in the brain, and how inflammation affects the brain [00:20:39] How to handle daunting oral diseases knowing how negatively they affect the brain and why there are times when having an inflamed brain is advantageous [00:40:35] What fluoride does to the brain and how it affects IQ, and the importance of calcium [00:44:09] What happens when mitochondrial brain function is disrupted [00:48:26] The effects when the pineal gland calcifies prematurely [00:53:00] How to Submit Your Question:Record your question for Dr. B at speakpipe.com/askthedentist Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Dr. David PerlmutterOral bacteria and your health - With Dr. Mark BurhenneFollow Dr. David Perlmutter on Instagram @davidperlmutterFollow Dr. David Perlmutter on Twitter @DavidPerlmutterAsk the DentistAbout Dr. Mark BurhenneFollow Dr. B on Instagram @askthedentistFollow Dr. B on Twitter @askthedentistAsk Dr. B a QuestionCheck 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

In today’s episode, Dr. Staci joins Dr. B to discuss the misinformation about flossing spread online by social media influencers. They explain why social media algorithms can be incredibly harmful, the destructive nature of clickbait and fearmongering, how studies against flossing measure up to the truth, and the positive results Dr. Staci has witnessed in her own patients who floss regularly.  Our doctors then explore exactly what social media influencers say about flossing, the vital information they’re conveniently omitting, why our hosts are irked by the iteration that flossing causes bleeding, and how some influencers use their large fan base in a highly irresponsible way. Dr. Staci’s advice is simple: Please floss! And she warns against accepting medical advice that hasn’t referenced any credible sources. Finally, we look at the Bristle Health study confirming the benefits of flossing, why Dr. B thinks that flossing is a no-brainer, and the transmissible nature of bacteria and other factors you must consider when making decisions about your oral health.  Key Points From This Episode: Dr. Staci and Dr. B discuss the misinformation being spread online about flossing [00:52] Why social media algorithms are more harmful than helpful [01:22] The perils of clickbait and fearmongering [01:45] Assessing the studies that go against flossing [01:57] What Dr. Staci has witnessed in her patients who floss regularly [03:03] The (wrong) things social media influencers are saying about flossing [03:49] The vital information that influencers are omitting [05:59] Why Doctors B and Staci are irked by the statement that “flossing causes bleeding” [08:07] How it’s utterly irresponsible to use a big following to spread misinformation [09:02] Dr. Staci’s professional advice: Please floss [10:11] Talking about the Bristle study that confirms the benefits of flossing [11:00] Water picks as a great alternative to flossing [13:30] Dr. B gives his take on why flossing is a no-brainer [14:14] Why you need to also consider the transmissible nature of bacteria [15:39] A quick summary of what we’ve covered in this episode [18:33] How to Submit Your Question:Record your question for Dr. B at speakpipe.com/askthedentist Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Bristle Research: The effect of flossing on the oral microbiome‘How to clean the back of your tongueBristle Health Slate Electric FlosserAsk the Dentist Shop | FlossDr. Staci WhitmanFollow Dr. Staci on Instagram @doctor_staciFollow Dr. Staci on Twitter @doctorstaciFollow Dr. Staci on Facebook @doctorstaciCheck 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

In a slight detour from our usual undertaking, today’s episode is a somewhat negative review of a patented anti-tartar toothpaste that has been brought to Dr. B’s attention (thank you, Leonard, for the question). After giving a brief background on TartarEnd®, Dr. B lays out the claims of the product and how they measure up to the truth, as well as why the information on its website seems too good to believe. We discuss how to properly check the ingredient list of a product, what you’ll find in TartarEnd® and, more importantly, what’s missing, and the concerns that Dr. B has about this anti-tartar toothpaste. We end with learning about the dangers of using any patented toothpaste and why you should never use a product that hasn’t been backed by scientific studies. If you are a representative of TartarEnd® and would like to reach out, we welcome you to do so either via our website, askthedentist.com, or through any of our social media channels. Key Points From This Episode: Introducing today’s topic, which is new to Dr. B (and thanks to Leonard for asking) [00:22] Background on the product in question, TartarEnd® [02:08] What TartarEnd® claims to accomplish and how those claims measure up to the truth [02:29] Why the information on the TartarEnd® website seems too good to be true [06:11] How to properly check the ingredient list of any product [06:51] A closer look at the TartarEnd ® ingredients, and notably, what’s missing [07:19] Dr. B’s concerns about the anti-tartar toothpaste [08:40] The problems with the claims made by (any) patented toothpaste [10:30] Why you should stay away from products that have not been backed by studies [14:05] How to Submit Your Question:Record your question for Dr. B at speakpipe.com/askthedentist Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Article about vitamin k2Article about calciumTarTarEnd®TarTarEnd® on AmazonAsk the DentistAbout Dr. Mark BurhenneFollow Dr. B on Instagram @askthedentistFollow Dr. B on Twitter @askthedentistAsk Dr. B a QuestionFunctional Dentist DirectoryWhat Dr. B RecommendsCheck 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