In this episode, Kristin Oja, DNP talks with functional dentist Dr. Lauren Poole about how oral health connects to whole-body health—from inflammation and microbiome balance to nitric oxide, cardiovascular risk, and brain health. They also explore airway screening, mouth breathing, sleep quality, tongue posture, and practical ways to support oral health at home.Dr. Poole explains why functional dentistry looks beyond cavities and treats the mouth as part of the broader digestive and immune systems. Kristin and Dr. Poole discuss oral dysbiosis, sleep disruption, and possible connections to concerns such as headaches, dementia, and poor recovery. Key topicsWhat functional dentistry means and how oral health relates to the rest of the body The oral microbiome, gum inflammation, and when microbiome testing may be useful Oral bacteria, nitric oxide, and potential connections to cardiovascular and brain health Why Dr. Poole does not recommend daily antimicrobial mouthwash for everyone Oral probiotics and approaches to restoring the oral microbiome Airway screening for mouth breathing, clenching, grinding, and sleep-disordered breathing Sleep testing, myofunctional therapy, and oral appliances Why airway issues can be missed in women and people who do not snore Mouth taping, tongue posture, and when to seek professional guidance At-home oral care, including tongue scraping, toothpaste choices, and filtered water Timestamps00:00 - Welcome to functional dentistry and whole-body oral health00:21 - What functional dentistry means in practice00:57 - Why the oral microbiome matters02:11 - When oral microbiome testing may be useful03:33 - What current oral microbiome tests can measure04:43 - Oral dysbiosis and how it compares to the gut05:25 - Oral bacteria, dementia, and cardiovascular risk07:01 - Why daily mouthwash is not a default solution07:24 - Oil pulling, ozone cleanings, and targeted antimicrobial use09:35 - Oral probiotics and why chewable forms may be preferred10:38 - Nitric oxide, nitrate conversion, and airway connections11:55 - Chewing, absorption, and oral balance12:08 - Salivary enzymes, chewing, and digestion13:00 - Airway health, sleep quality, and recovery14:06 - Airway screening in the dental office15:01 - Sleep testing, apnea, and upper airway resistance syndrome16:48 - Myofunctional therapy and oral appliances17:39 - Why women and non-snoring patients can be overlooked18:34 - Why early airway screening for children matters19:37 - Mouth taping and safety considerations20:31 - Tongue posture, jaw clenching, and the nervous system21:55 - Tongue position, migraines, and pelvic floor tension22:49 - Practical steps for supporting oral health at home23:59 - Virtual myofunctional therapy24:30 - Hydroxyapatite toothpaste and choosing a product25:34 - Toothpaste choices for children and adults25:49 - Why fluoride is controversial in functional dentistry27:19 - Filtered water and adding minerals back28:29 - Where to find Sweet Truth Dental and how insurance works
