The Healthy Mouth Movement Podcast

In this episode, the podcast explores the critical but often overlooked connection between oral health and the general health of children. It highlights how poor oral hygiene is linked to severe diseases such as heart disease, dementia, and cancer. This podcast reveals alarming statistics, including that 47.2% of U.S. adults over 30 have advanced gum disease and that 73% of children between ages 6...

In this episode, we delve into the intriguing evolution of chewing, also known as mastication, and how it has shaped the human species. We'll uncover the differences between our chewing habits and those of our ancestors, highlighting the insights they offer into human evolution. Our guest expert, Dr. Kevin Boyd, a renowned clinician specializing in pediatric dentistry, human nutrition, and orthodo...

In today’s episode, we will unravel the intriguing world of teeth grinding! Brace yourself as we explore the causes, symptoms, and thrilling treatment options for this enigmatic condition. Teeth grinding, or bruxism isn't just a habit—it's a window into a deeper story. Discover how it connects to myofunctional disorders, airway issues, and medical conditions like sleep disorders, TMJ disorders, an...

With knowledge comes the opportunity to improve breathing, sleep, and overall well-being. By understanding the relationship between sleep and the body, particularly the mouth, we can take proactive steps to prevent illnesses and lead healthier lives. Epigenetic factors, as well as lifestyle choices, play a significant role in our health outcomes. Awareness and sharing information are key to making...

Bedwetting can be a source of great frustration and embarrassment for both children and adults, and as parents, we understand the heartbreak and the endless attempts to find a solution. We've tried it all, from alarms to medications, but it wasn't until we discovered the true source of the issue that we were able to bring an end to the bedwetting once and for all. Poor quality sleep not only affec...

In today's episode we will explore non-nutritive sucking the  habits and their impact on facial growth and development in children. Thumb sucking, binky use, and bottle use are commonly observed behaviors in young children that can have long-lasting effects on their oral health. We will discuss why these habits can be detrimental to the face, mouth, airway, and teeth, and the importance of address...

In this episode, we dive into the increasingly popular practice of mouth taping. We explore the reasons why someone might choose to tape their mouth during sleep, the benefits it can offer, and when it's appropriate to use this technique.  I am an advocate of myofunctional therapy, and I will share personal experiences and recommendations for using mouth taping to improve overall health and well-b...

In this episode, we explore the fascinating concept of suck-swallow-breathe (SSB) synchrony in infant feeding and its significance in overall development. We'll delve into the rhythmical pattern of SSB synchrony, its impact on feeding safety and efficiency, and the potential challenges that can arise when this coordination is disrupted.   ‌- Suck-Swallow-Breathe (SSB) synchrony is the coordinated...

In this episode, we'll be discussing a topic that is often overlooked but has a significant impact on our health - mouth breathing. May is Mouth Breathing Awareness Month, and it's essential to shed light on this habit that affects many individuals, often without their knowledge.   From the stigma surrounding mouth breathing to its potential health consequences, we'll dive deep into understanding...

On today's episode, we have a special guest, Monica Tanner, who is a relationship expert, podcaster, and boss mom of four growing humans. Monica is passionate about helping busy moms find balance in their lives and prioritize their own happiness, which is essential for maintaining healthy relationships.   In this episode, Monica shares some simple yet life-saving skills and strategies to help marr...

In this podcast, we discuss the rising popularity of probiotics, their health benefits, and how they can help restore balance to the body's microbiome. We explore the foundation of oral health and how adding a probiotic to your oral care routine can assist in countering harmful bacteria. We also delve into the benefits of probiotics and how they can positively impact overall health conditions such...

On today's episode, we have a very special guest, Stephanie Irragi from Mama Shark. Stephanie is an expert in helping moms streamline their lives and organize the chaos that often comes with being a busy mom. She's here to talk about her new collection, the Living on Less Collection, which was born out of her own experience of trying to figure out how to live a high-quality life while on a tight b...

According to the American Cancer Society, there will be an estimated 54,000 new cases of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer this year, with over 11,000 deaths. These statistics underscore the importance of understanding the risk factors and taking necessary steps to prevent or detect oral cancer early.   In this episode, we will also share some sample questions to ask your healthcare provider du...

Bristle is a company that provides at-home oral health tests that analyze the oral microbiome, helping people understand the root cause of oral conditions such as cavities, gum disease, and bad breath. The founders of Bristle, who came from the genetics and genomics industry, noticed that there were no companies looking at the oral microbiome, so they decided to create one. Their goal is to develo...

In this episode, we'll be delving into some important oral health terms you might not be familiar with. We'll be exploring topics like tongue thrust, swallow, tongue tie, and tongue therapy, and how they can impact your overall health and wellbeing.   A tongue thrust swallow can cause a lot of dental problems, speech difficulties, sleep issues, and even behavioral problems. It's crucial to recogni...

Today, we're exploring the intriguing role of the tongue in our bodies. Most of us know that our tongues help us talk, chew, and swallow, but did you know that they also affect the position of our teeth and our ability to breathe and sleep?   To maintain our airways, the tongue must function properly, which is why having a full range of motion is crucial. At night, the tongue needs to maintain a s...

Did you know that human jaws were a perfect fit for human teeth before the agricultural revolution? Our hunter-gatherer ancestors had big, strong jaws to chew uncooked vegetables and meat, and their teeth were perfectly aligned. But with the arrival of farming and the switch to softer, cooked foods, our jaws started to shrink while our teeth remained the same size, leading to dental crowding and m...

Welcome to today's episode where we delve into the importance of nasal health and hygiene. Our nose not only helps us breathe but also plays a crucial role in conditioning the air we inhale, ensuring our body gets the oxygen it needs while keeping us free from diseases. While we all understand the significance of dental health, nasal hygiene often takes a backseat. However, with the COVID-19 pande...

Today I'm going to share my Healthy Mouth Academy. I created it as a comprehensive dental care program that also emphasizes the importance of taking ownership of one's health. I am offering a special deal to the first 200 people who join my academy. Instead of paying the high cost of $495 for just one visit to my dental office, you can have access to my expertise and resources for a year or even a...

In honor of National Children's Dental Health Month, today's episode will focus on "Healthy Kids Grow Beautiful Faces." As parents, we all want our children to be healthy, happy, and confident in their appearance. Many may even aspire for our children to have a "beautiful" jawline, but what does that really mean?   In this episode, we'll explore the connection between dental health and facial deve...

How a child breathes can impact their development in various ways including sleep quality, learning, behavior, jaw and facial development, speech, and future health.   In this episode, I had the privilege to feature one of Australia's first dentists to obtain a qualification in dental sleep medicine. Dr Shereen Lim has a decade of experience in managing snoring and obstructive sleep apnea. She is...

National Children's Dental Health Month is an annual observance in February to raise awareness about the importance of oral health for children. It started as a one-day event in 1941 and has grown into a month-long celebration encouraging good habits and regular dental visits for a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums. The focus has also expanded to include the role of parents in establishing good o...

In this episode, we discussed the importance of the oral microbiome and its connection to overall health and well-being. The oral microbiome is the collection of microorganisms living in the mouth, which plays a vital role in maintaining our overall health. Recent research has shown that oral health is intrinsically linked to gut health, and it is crucial to maintain the right balance of microorga...

In this podcast episode, we will learn more about the role of saliva in the digestive process. We will discuss the enzymes that are present in saliva and how they help break down food for easier absorption by the body. We will also talk about the different tastes that we can experience with our taste buds and how the teeth and tongue contribute to the process of breaking down food. Additionally, w...

As a dentist with over 35 years of experience, I have seen firsthand the connections between oral health and overall well-being. The oral-systemic link, which suggests that the earliest signs of disease can be found in the mouth, is often overlooked by most doctors and remains a foreign concept to many people. In this podcast episode, I will share my personal experiences observing the mouth-body c...