How to Improve Oral Health & Its Critical Role in Brain & Body Health
Andrew Huberman
Feb 12, 2024
Mindsip insights from this episode:
Enable teeth to remineralize and repair cavities naturally
Your teeth can naturally fill in cavities that have started to form, a process called remineralization, as long as they haven't penetrated too deeply.
Integrate oral health as seventh pillar of overall wellness
Oral health and gut health are being added as the seventh pillar of mental and physical health, alongside pillars like sleep and exercise.
Utilize xylitol to eliminate cavity-causing bacteria
The sugar substitute xylitol is uniquely beneficial because cavity-causing bacteria eat it, which prevents them from producing acid and also kills them.
Prioritize nighttime brushing for optimal dental health
If you only brush and floss once per day, doing so at night is most critical because saliva production, which protects teeth, dramatically decreases during sleep.
Use salt rinse to promote oral microbiome health
A zero-cost alternative to harmful mouthwash is a high-salt water solution, which you swish and spit to promote a healthy oral microbiome.
Avoid commercial mouthwashes to protect oral health
Most commercial mouthwashes, especially those with alcohol, are terrible for your oral health because they disrupt the healthy oral microbiome and reduce nitric oxide production.
Avoid stimulants to protect oral health
Stimulants like Adderall and even caffeine negatively affect oral health by making saliva more acidic and by encouraging mouth breathing, which dries the mouth.
Minimize acidity duration to reduce cavity risk
The risk of cavities depends less on what you eat and more on the total amount of time your mouth remains in an acidic, demineralizing state.
Recognize cavity bacteria as a communicable disease
The primary cavity-causing bacteria, Streptococcus mutans, is not something you are born with but is transmitted between people through sharing drinks or kissing.
Prevent periodontal disease to reduce Alzheimer's risk
Bacteria from periodontal disease can enter the bloodstream and are linked to causing plaques and tangles associated with Alzheimer's disease.
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