Ask the Dentist with Dr. Mark Burhenne

As we're all aware, the simple act of breathing is an essential part of our lives. Yet, how many of us have taken the time to truly contemplate the power it holds over our health? In our latest episode, we have the privilege of sitting down with Chuck McGee, an enthusiastic breathwork coach. He walks us through his intriguing health journey and enlightens us on the transformative potential of...

Ever wondered why those unsightly lesions, known as abfractions, appear on the side of your teeth? Well, you're not alone. Today, we're diving into an in-depth discussion on abfractions, their causes, and most importantly, how to prevent and treat them. The culprits could be as commonplace as grinding your teeth or using a worn-out toothbrush. And yes, we're also talking about the i...

Listen in as we explore the surprising link between chemical toxins and dental health. The conversation focuses on the increasing appearance of white spots on teeth and their potential connection to endocrine disruptors like BPA. We break down the reasons behind the formation of these spots, the health risks they may present, and ways to limit our exposure to these toxins. Key Points From This Epi...

Did you know the design of your toothbrush plays a pivotal role in your dental health? It’s an everyday tool we often overlook, but it's time we bring it to the spotlight! We delve into the intricate world of toothbrush design, scrutinizing the significance of bristle design, stiffness, size, and pattern, as well as the brush head design and size. Discover how an abrasive toothbrush or toothp...

Join me for another Small Bite, as I shed light on a hidden yet crucial connection between oral health and overall health. Listen in as I reveal the startling statistics about gum disease and its prevalence, especially in older adults. I connect the dots between periodontal disease and metabolic syndrome, highlighting the various conditions that form this syndrome. Prepare to be shocked as I uncov...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 f...

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 pr...

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 episo...

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.  Ou...

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...

Opinions on oral irrigators are varied and in this episode, Dr. B explains how his has changed over time and why. In response to a listener’s question about the benefits and uses of water flossers, he dives deep into the origins of the tool, why he was previously wary of them, and how they should be used to optimize safety and effectiveness. Dr. B specifies who should use water picks and why, and...

Microbes can create molecules that help mineralize teeth and prevent invaders from coming in and causing cavities. They can also be the cause of various different types of oral diseases including tooth decay, thrush, and burning mouth syndrome. Furthermore, Alzheimer's, adverse pregnancy outcomes, diabetes, and certain types of cancer have been found to be associated with certain microbes in...

David Lin is the go-to guy for oral microbiome! During today’s conversation, we get an overview of the oral microbiome, and how it should be treated. Through our discussion about prebiotics and probiotics, feeding microbes, and researching the oral microbiome, you’ll learn what we mean by ‘weeding, feeding and seeding,’ and when to implement each strategy. We know firsthand that the prevention rou...

No matter what you eat, how much you exercise, how skinny or young or wise you are, none of it matters if you’re not breathing properly. Today’s guest has written a revolutionary book called Breath, which challenges the way that we think about breath and its implications for our overall health. In this episode, you’ll hear about James Nestor’s work as a journalist, researching, writing, and publis...

Flossing has been around for a long time (since the 1800s, in fact!). And today, flossing is considered to be an integral part of an effective everyday oral healthcare routine. But for a good many of us, flossing is a difficult chore that we often end up avoiding. This is due in large part to how time-consuming traditional flossing can be (especially if you’re still struggling with long loops of f...

A big part of modern dentistry is occupied by the subject and practice of teeth whitening, and while these aspirations and values do not have to be a problem per se, there are some serious things to consider when broaching the subject. Whitening has grown to be the most desirable dental procedure, and a remarkable dimension of this is the frequent requests from parents for brightening their childr...

Once again, we are thrilled to welcome the impeccable Dr. Staci Whitman to the show, as she and Dr. B fill you in on everything you need to know about sores in your mouth. We begin by taking a look at the differences between canker sores and cold sores, why you should reexamine your oral products, and the often overlooked harmful effects of sodium lauryl sulfate. Then, we discuss skin trauma and m...

Institute of Functional Medicine (IFM) Certified Practitioners set the standard for functional medicine in their industry and today’s guest is no exception! In this episode, Dr. B is joined by Dr. Staci Whitman; an IFM-certified pediatric dentist, founder of NoPo Kids Dentistry, and a repeat visitor on the show. Tuning in, you’ll hear about Dr. Staci’s holistic approach to her practice and why she...

Craze lines. Those little fractures you find on teeth could be an early indicator that something is wrong. How do you uncover the root cause and how can you nip it in the bud as early as possible?(Note that there is a difference between craze lines and cracked teeth, the latter of which is a serious issue for which you would need a root canal.) To identify craze lines, Dr. B recommends what’s call...

In this episode, Dr. B addresses the question; what are the alternatives to fluoride varnish on toddlers' teeth?  He highlights the dangers it poses to the human body and the alternatives to fluoride in varnishes and toothpaste. Dr. B explains the science behind the use of varnishes, the steps being taken to ensure available alternatives to fluoride varnishes and the challenges with creating...