The Link Between Dental Health and Whole-Body Health

March 30, 2022 14 By EngineerMommy

This 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. 


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