The Link Between Dental Health and Whole-Body Health
March 30, 2022This is a sponsored post written by me for Dr. Kami Hoss. All opinions are mine alone.
If your mouth could talk, what would it say? More importantly, are you paying attention to it? Dental health is one of the most significant contributors to one’s overall wellness, but so many people underappreciate it. For both adults and kids alike, practicing an oral care routine is key for maximizing wellbeing and promoting a balanced lifestyle. I recently read “If Your Mouth Could Talk” by Dr. Kami Hoss and it was such an eye-opening look at the importance of oral health.
We’ve all heard of the common tips for good dental health: brushing & flossing twice daily, seeing the dentist every 6 months, etc. However. “If Your Mouth Could Talk” is different from other books written by dentists. This book focuses on the link between whole-body health & dental health and delves into so many topics that you might not have heard about in the past. These topics include the significance of the oral microbiome (the balance of good and bad bacteria in the mouth), the impact of diet on the mouth’s health, the influence of bone structure on sleep quality, and so much more.
One fascinating thing I learned from “If Your Mouth Could Talk” is the fact that certain over-the-counter oral care products can be downright disruptive to the delicate balance of the oral microbiome. Some of these products can actually transform healthy microbes to a pathogenic state, while others can simply allow opportunistic microbes to take full control of the microbiome. Using the right oral care toothpastes & mouthwashes – with the right ingredients – is essential for a healthy mouth and a healthy body. The book goes into detail about this and offers specific recommendations on ingredients & brands.
As a child, I remember thinking that the dentist office was an intimidating place. The first time I needed a cavity filled, I remember finding the sound of the drill quite scary as a 7 year old. Over time of course, I grew less intimidated by the dentist and learned to appreciate the value of a white smile and healthy, pain-free teeth. As a mom, I’ve been trying to instill in my daughters the importance of a regular dental care routine.
We’ve incorporated teeth brushing & flossing into our morning and evening routines with the kids since they were toddlers. I learned from “If Your Mouth Could Talk” that 5-year-olds actually only brush about 25% of their teeth, while 11-year-olds only brush about 50% of their teeth. Surprising, right? I knew my kids weren’t able to effectively brush their teeth completely independently, but I had no idea the extent of it. The book is full of fascinating nuggets of wisdom to help guide parents toward proper oral health for their children.
As a result of reading this book, one thing we’re changing about our routine is the incorporation of a pH-balancing mouth spray. The book discussed the benefits for kids of using a pH-balancing mouth spray after all food & drink to neutralize the pH of the saliva. It’s an easy, actionable step that I can take today to improve my family’s dental health for the future.
“If Your Mouth Could Talk” was written by Dr. Kami Hoss, dentist, speaker, author and educator. He is also the co-founder of The Super Dentists, which is one of the biggest dental practices in California. To keep up with the latest news from Dr. Hoss, be sure to check him out on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Want to improve your overall health starting with your mouth? Be sure to check out “If Your Mouth Could Talk” for practical, actionable advice on the impact of good oral health on your whole body.
My dental health is not good at all. A year back, my dentist explained to me how everything is connected and why I should take care of my oral health! I need to read this book and follow the tips.
I will have to pick up this book! It sounds like there’s some helpful info in there. I will have to keep this in mind to stay healthy!
100% agree. My spouse let his teeth become an issue and just had to go through a deep cleaning process, and he is still in pain. Being proactive and preventative is the better way to go!
I really enjoyed this post, thanks for providing a breakdown.
My dentists have preached this to me over the years. I truly believe they have helped my overall health.
Yes! I totally agree. I have been told by my dentist this! I need to read this book.
This book looks like a great book about dental health. I have to agree that dental health links with whole-body health. Especially when things enter your body via your mouth :). I really enjoyed reading your post and the book looks like a great read.
Great book! Love the avenue they are taking in teaching the importance of oral health!
This sounds like an interesting read. I was aware that oral health could influence physical health although I haven’t done much in depth reading. I might need to get some ph balancing mouth spray.
Wow! That looks like a really great book that I need to read! There’s a lot of helpful information there
My mom is in her 80s and is obsessive about flossing and brushing her teeth. All of her doctors are amazed at how healthy she is overall. I imagine her dental hygiene has a lot to do with it. She would love this book.
This sounds like an interesting read for everybody, especially for parents. I do my regular check-ups and my oral health is pretty good but I had no idea about the connection with my overall health.
Dental health is so important. I’ve heard that it’s so related to other problems in our body.
I can totally relate to this. Dental health is such an important thing! I do struggle with my teeth being an issue and am very aware of the connection.