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

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

Andrew HubermanhostDr. Staci Whitmanguest

Mar 24, 20252h 54mWatch on YouTube ↗

EPISODE INFO

Released: March 24, 2025
Duration: 2h 54m
Channel: Huberman Lab
Watch on YouTube: ▶ Open ↗

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

SPEAKERS

Andrew Huberman
host
Dr. Staci Whitman
guest
Narrator
other

EPISODE SUMMARY

In this episode of Huberman Lab, featuring Andrew Huberman and Dr. Staci Whitman, How to Improve Your Teeth & Oral Microbiome for Brain & Body Health | Dr. Staci Whitman explores transform Your Oral Microbiome: Teeth, Brain, Heart And Hormones Connected Andrew Huberman interviews functional and pediatric dentist Dr. Staci Whitman about how oral health and the oral microbiome impact whole‑body health, including brain function, cardiovascular disease, fertility, and hormones. They explain why most conventional products and habits—alcohol mouthwash, harsh toothpaste, frequent snacking, and mouth breathing—actually damage the oral microbiome and increase disease risk. The conversation covers how teeth naturally demineralize and remineralize, the pros and cons of fluoride versus hydroxyapatite, and how diet, breathing, and basic hygiene can prevent or even reverse early cavities. They also explore links between gum disease and dementia, heart disease, infertility, pregnancy complications, and metabolic health, and provide concrete daily protocols for brushing, flossing, tongue scraping, diet, hydration, nasal breathing, and kids’ oral development.

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