How to Improve Your Teeth & Oral Microbiome for Brain & Body Health | Dr. Staci Whitman

Andrew Huberman

Mar 24, 2025

Episode description

My guest is Dr. Staci Whitman, DMD, a board-certified dentist for kids and adults. We discuss the critical importance of oral care and the oral microbiome for brain and bodily health. We examine the negative effects of common oral care product ingredients such as alcohol, astringents, and bleaches. We also explore the history and real impact of fluoridated drinking water on oral, bone, and systemic health.

Then we discuss healthy, lesser-known solutions for bad breath, canker sores, cavities, and teeth whitening. We cover how teeth can be made to repair their own cavities and the connection between oral health and cardiovascular health, male and female fertility, dementia, and cancer.

This episode goes far beyond the best approaches to brushing and flossing and will be a valuable resource for anyone seeking to improve their oral health and appearance at any age.

Read the episode show notes: https://go.hubermanlab.com/9ra7yGU

*Thank you to our sponsors*
AG1: https://drinkag1.com/huberman
Eight Sleep: https://eightsleep.com/huberman
BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/huberman
Joovv: https://joovv.com/huberman
Function: https://functionhealth.com/huberman
LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/huberman

*Dr. Staci Whitman*
Website: https://doctorstaci.com
Feed Your Good Guys (Fygg): https://fygg.com
Happi Floss: https://www.happifloss.com
Newsletter: https://manage.kmail-lists.com/subscriptions/subscribe?a=Y8kzJt&g=XRTN6i
Blog: https://doctorstaci.com/blog
NoPo Kids Dentistry: https://nopokids.com
Online consultations: https://doctorstaci.com/functional-pediatric-dentistry-consultations-with-doctor-staci
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@doctor_staci
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doctor_staci
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/doctorstaci
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@doctor_staci
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/staci-whitman-dmd-ifmcp-nmd-iabd-b5845a9
X: https://x.com/doctorstaci

*Timestamps*
00:00:00 Dr. Staci Whitman
00:02:04 Oral Health & Oral Microbiome
00:05:01 Oral Healthcare Ingredients, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS); Canker Sores
00:08:45 Sponsors: Eight Sleep & BetterHelp
00:11:38 Cavities & Teeth De-/Remineralization, Fluoride
00:19:14 Cavities, Tool: Meal Frequency, Fasting
00:21:51 Sugar, “Dissolvable” Carbs & Cavities, Tools: Feed the Rainbow, Clean Diet
00:27:41 White Teeth, Bleaching, Hydroxyapatite, Mouth Breathing
00:34:34 Antibiotics, Gut & Oral Microbiome, Tool: Probiotics
00:36:20 Mouthwash, Alcohol, Astringents, Cardiovascular Risk, Bad Breath
00:39:54 Sponsors: AG1 & Joovv
00:42:21 Saliva, Dry Mouth, Salivary Analysis, Tools: Hydration; Nasal Breathing
00:47:23 Mouth vs. Nasal Breathing, Hard & Soft Tissue Issues
00:54:19 Deviated Septum, Therapies, Kids & Adults, Mouth Breathing & Sleep Disorders
01:00:42 Gum Health, Flossing; Sexual Health
01:01:50 Shifting to Nasal Breathing, Mouth Taping, Tools: 3-Minute Test, Kiss The Sky
01:05:53 Chewing Gum, Mastic Gum, Tool: Xylitol; Chewing Food, Breastfeeding
01:11:28 Sponsor: Function
01:13:15 Gum Disease, “Leaky Gums”, Cardiovascular Disease, Dementia, Cancer
01:20:05 Antibiotics, Ozone Therapy, Oil Pulling, Mold, Tool: Coconut Oil; Facial Trauma
01:28:07 Nicotine Gum & Pouches, Oral Health; Coffee, Teeth Whitening
01:34:16 Whole Foods, Hydroxyapatite Toothpaste; Tool: Testing Oral Microbiome
01:39:39 Water Fluoridation, History, Other Fluoride Sources, Neurocognitive Issues
01:54:57 Drinking Water & Fluoride, Toothpaste, Cavities
01:59:51 Sponsor: LMNT
02:01:07 Water Fluoridation & Levels
02:04:52 Oral Health & Fertility
02:07:03 Toothbrushing, Flossing, Waterpik, Tool: Toothbrushing & Meals
02:13:23 Teeth Spots & Markings, Fluorosis, Hypoplastic Enamel
02:19:10 Oral Health, Women, Pregnancy, Menopause & Burning Mouth
02:23:16 Geographic Tongue; Lip Balm; Mouth Breathing, Symmetrical Chewing
02:27:09 Tongue Tie, Chewing & Speech Function, Intervention
02:32:27 Red Light Therapy, Peptides & Exosomes
02:34:40 Mercury Fillings, Ceramic Composites, Retainers, Sealants
02:39:08 Dentists, Depression, Anxiety, Suicide; Insurance
02:45:05 Recap, Top Behavioral Tools for Oral Health, Tongue Scrapping
02:52:10 Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Follow & Reviews, YouTube Feedback, Protocols Book, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter

#HubermanLab #Health #OralHealth #Dentistry

Disclaimer & Disclosures: https://www.hubermanlab.com/disclaimer

Episode description

My guest is Dr. Staci Whitman, DMD, a board-certified dentist for kids and adults. We discuss the critical importance of oral care and the oral microbiome for brain and bodily health. We examine the negative effects of common oral care product ingredients such as alcohol, astringents, and bleaches. We also explore the history and real impact of fluoridated drinking water on oral, bone, and systemic health.

Then we discuss healthy, lesser-known solutions for bad breath, canker sores, cavities, and teeth whitening. We cover how teeth can be made to repair their own cavities and the connection between oral health and cardiovascular health, male and female fertility, dementia, and cancer.

This episode goes far beyond the best approaches to brushing and flossing and will be a valuable resource for anyone seeking to improve their oral health and appearance at any age.

Read the episode show notes: https://go.hubermanlab.com/9ra7yGU

*Thank you to our sponsors*
AG1: https://drinkag1.com/huberman
Eight Sleep: https://eightsleep.com/huberman
BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/huberman
Joovv: https://joovv.com/huberman
Function: https://functionhealth.com/huberman
LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/huberman

*Dr. Staci Whitman*
Website: https://doctorstaci.com
Feed Your Good Guys (Fygg): https://fygg.com
Happi Floss: https://www.happifloss.com
Newsletter: https://manage.kmail-lists.com/subscriptions/subscribe?a=Y8kzJt&g=XRTN6i
Blog: https://doctorstaci.com/blog
NoPo Kids Dentistry: https://nopokids.com
Online consultations: https://doctorstaci.com/functional-pediatric-dentistry-consultations-with-doctor-staci
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@doctor_staci
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doctor_staci
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/doctorstaci
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@doctor_staci
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/staci-whitman-dmd-ifmcp-nmd-iabd-b5845a9
X: https://x.com/doctorstaci

*Timestamps*
00:00:00 Dr. Staci Whitman
00:02:04 Oral Health & Oral Microbiome
00:05:01 Oral Healthcare Ingredients, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS); Canker Sores
00:08:45 Sponsors: Eight Sleep & BetterHelp
00:11:38 Cavities & Teeth De-/Remineralization, Fluoride
00:19:14 Cavities, Tool: Meal Frequency, Fasting
00:21:51 Sugar, “Dissolvable” Carbs & Cavities, Tools: Feed the Rainbow, Clean Diet
00:27:41 White Teeth, Bleaching, Hydroxyapatite, Mouth Breathing
00:34:34 Antibiotics, Gut & Oral Microbiome, Tool: Probiotics
00:36:20 Mouthwash, Alcohol, Astringents, Cardiovascular Risk, Bad Breath
00:39:54 Sponsors: AG1 & Joovv
00:42:21 Saliva, Dry Mouth, Salivary Analysis, Tools: Hydration; Nasal Breathing
00:47:23 Mouth vs. Nasal Breathing, Hard & Soft Tissue Issues
00:54:19 Deviated Septum, Therapies, Kids & Adults, Mouth Breathing & Sleep Disorders
01:00:42 Gum Health, Flossing; Sexual Health
01:01:50 Shifting to Nasal Breathing, Mouth Taping, Tools: 3-Minute Test, Kiss The Sky
01:05:53 Chewing Gum, Mastic Gum, Tool: Xylitol; Chewing Food, Breastfeeding
01:11:28 Sponsor: Function
01:13:15 Gum Disease, “Leaky Gums”, Cardiovascular Disease, Dementia, Cancer
01:20:05 Antibiotics, Ozone Therapy, Oil Pulling, Mold, Tool: Coconut Oil; Facial Trauma
01:28:07 Nicotine Gum & Pouches, Oral Health; Coffee, Teeth Whitening
01:34:16 Whole Foods, Hydroxyapatite Toothpaste; Tool: Testing Oral Microbiome
01:39:39 Water Fluoridation, History, Other Fluoride Sources, Neurocognitive Issues
01:54:57 Drinking Water & Fluoride, Toothpaste, Cavities
01:59:51 Sponsor: LMNT
02:01:07 Water Fluoridation & Levels
02:04:52 Oral Health & Fertility
02:07:03 Toothbrushing, Flossing, Waterpik, Tool: Toothbrushing & Meals
02:13:23 Teeth Spots & Markings, Fluorosis, Hypoplastic Enamel
02:19:10 Oral Health, Women, Pregnancy, Menopause & Burning Mouth
02:23:16 Geographic Tongue; Lip Balm; Mouth Breathing, Symmetrical Chewing
02:27:09 Tongue Tie, Chewing & Speech Function, Intervention
02:32:27 Red Light Therapy, Peptides & Exosomes
02:34:40 Mercury Fillings, Ceramic Composites, Retainers, Sealants
02:39:08 Dentists, Depression, Anxiety, Suicide; Insurance
02:45:05 Recap, Top Behavioral Tools for Oral Health, Tongue Scrapping
02:52:10 Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Follow & Reviews, YouTube Feedback, Protocols Book, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter

#HubermanLab #Health #OralHealth #Dentistry

Disclaimer & Disclosures: https://www.hubermanlab.com/disclaimer

Mindsip insights from this episode:

Limit mouthwash use to protect heart health

Chronic use of strong mouthwashes can damage nitrate-reducing bacteria on the tongue, which are crucial for producing nitric oxide for cardiovascular health.

Chew more to prevent jaw shrinkage and airway issues

We now chew for only about four minutes a day compared to our ancestors' four hours, which has led to shrinking jaws, crowded teeth, and airway issues.

Beware nicotine pouches: potential for tooth decay

Nicotine pouches marketed as sugar-free can contain sugar alcohols, and the long contact time against the teeth can lead to rampant decay.

Identify oral pathogens to combat Alzheimer's risk

Specific oral pathogens like P. gingivalis are being found in the brains of Alzheimer's patients, where they are thought to contribute to amyloid plaque formation.

Address gum disease to reduce erectile dysfunction risk

Men with gum disease are 2.85 times more likely to have erectile dysfunction, which is linked to systemic inflammation caused by oral pathogens.

Reduce fluoride exposure to protect children's IQ

A recent federal trial concluded there is a strong correlation between increased fluoride consumption and lower IQ in children, with deficits on par with lead exposure.

Spit, don't rinse, to enhance toothpaste benefits

To maximize the benefits of your toothpaste, you should spit but not rinse with water, allowing the active ingredients to remain on your teeth.

Wait 20-30 minutes to brush after eating

You should wait 20-30 minutes after eating to brush because your enamel is temporarily softened by acid, and brushing can wear it away.

Limit flour intake to protect oral health from bacteria

It's not just sugar, but also flour and other fermentable carbohydrates that feed pathogenic bacteria in your mouth, which then release the acid that causes cavities.

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