Click here to see the Story in Metropol Magazine October 2024 Issue

Recent neuroscience research indicates that oral health is considerably more important than previously believed. 🦷

Andrew Huberman, a well-known neurologist, has enlarged the pillars of health and performance to include dental health as a key component. This addendum emphasises the critical relationship between dental cleanliness and our emotional, physical, and social wellbeing.

Here are some significant lessons about the subject:

1. Cavity Formation: Cavities are caused by bacteria that thrive on sugar and carbohydrates, not on sugar alone. These bacteria are part of a communicable process, yet they are a necessary component of our oral environment.

2. Acidity and Remineralization: Preventing cavities requires a balance of acidic and alkaline states in our mouths, as well as the accompanying demineralization or remineralization processes.

3. Fluoride: While fluoride at low dosages can improve teeth, there is a difficult balance to strike because high quantities can be harmful to thyroid and brain health.

4. Mouthwash and Oral microbiota: Alcohol-based and antiseptic mouthwashes may disturb the oral microbiota. Instead, investigate options that promote a healthy mucosal lining.

5. Xylitol-Based Products: Chewing gums and mints containing xylitol can help fight cavity-causing germs.

6. Lifestyle Factors: To maintain good oral health, avoid alcohol, smoking, stimulants, dipping tobacco, and foods that affect saliva pH.

7. Simple Oral Health Tips: Keep a basic (less acidic) mouth environment, encourage nasal breathing to keep the mouth moist, and allow intervals of no food or drink to stimulate saliva production for remineralization.

Understanding the complex relationship between dental health and overall performance is critical for professionals. Let's embrace these lessons and incorporate them into our daily routines to live a better, more vibrant existence.
At Smooch Dental Spa we are avid readers, watchers and listeners to keep right up to date with the latest research, techniques, equipment, software, treatments and the interaction between the Oral Biome and the rest of the body. This podcast from Professor Huberman is fascinating and quite approachable for non-practitioners so we would encourage you to take a listen as it will be a significant benefit to you to understand more about your teeth, mouth, gums and their interconnection to the rest of your biome.


#OralHealth #Wellbeing #Performance #Neuroscience #HealthTips