Try This – My Healthy Teeth Routine (and Why Oral Health Matters)

Over the years, I’ve heard my fair share of stories from friends and family members whose oral health had impacted their whole body’s health: 

• A root canal gone wrong, leading to a bacterial infection in the heart. 

• A bad case of gingivitis contributing to dementia. 

• Years of toxic mouthwash use contributing to high blood pressure. 

Our understanding of the oral microbiome is just beginning. But what is clear is that without a healthy mouth, teeth, and gums, your overall body health will struggle. 

I’ve been lucky enough to get to speak and work with some of the best functional, biological and holistic dentists out there, and I’ve learned a lot about the impact of our oral health on our brains, hearts, and virtually every other organ in our bodies. 

During this time, I’ve also dialed in on a healthy oral microbiome routine that isn’t expensive or complicated. It focuses on the basic, everyday stuff we need to do to cultivate healthy teeth and gums. 

Today, I’m going to share everything I’ve learned with you. If you’re looking for motivation to dial in your oral care routine, this is it. If you know someone who does a bad job of taking care of their teeth, send them this. 

Let’s get into it… 

The Link Between Oral Bacteria and Our Health 

Believe it or not, the mouth is the host to hundreds and hundreds of types of bacteria. Perhaps the most well known of them is P. gingivalis, a gram-negative bacteria that when left unchecked can cause gingivitis and periodontal disease. Signs of these conditions include red, inflamed gums or gums that bleed when flossing. This is common in adults over 30; in fact, 42 percent of adults have some form of gum disease. 

Research has pointed to just how disastrous gum disease can be. P. gingivalis and periodontal disease have been associated with an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease. These harmful bacteria can actually travel from the mouth to the brain, impacting our nerve function and memories. 

Periodontal disease also puts us at an increased risk of heart attacks and stroke; those with gum disease are two-to-three times more likely to suffer from cardiac events! 

And just this year, research was released linking an inflammatory bacteria in the mouth called F. nucleatum to colon cancer! 

While we don’t completely understand the role of these bacteria in disease, it’s clear that their presence, especially when left untamed, can significantly increase our risk of developing major diseases. 

The bottom line is our dental health should not be ignored, and daily maintenance is key. 

Try This: The Basics Make a Huge Difference 

You know me, Try This readers. I don’t want to overcomplicate things or recommend a bunch of fancy devices and treatments that don’t make a huge difference long term. When it comes to oral health, the basics make the biggest difference. If you aren’t doing these, then you need to start. 

Flossing: Two of my dentists have told me that flossing is actually more important than brushing. In fact, one of them said not flossing your teeth is like pooping without wiping. GROSS! But it makes sense. Now, that’s not to say you should stop brushing your teeth—you should absolutely keep brushing and flossing every day. In fact, these two activities are the bare minimum! Daily flossing is the key to preventing gum disease, which can eventually turn into much bigger issues in other parts of the body. It allows us to reach parts of our teeth that a toothbrush cannot reach—those in-between spaces where particles get stuck. If you let this build up, bacteria can develop quickly (within a few days), leading to inflamed, bleeding gums. You want to be flossing at least once a day. 

Regular cleanings: Just like you go to get a check-up at the doctor, you should also be visiting a dentist. Some experts say at least once-a-year cleanups and dentist visits are key, but I like to go to the dentist every six months. Not only does this give my dentist a chance to evaluate the health of my teeth and gums, but it’s a chance to do a deep cleaning, remove plaque, and address any concerns before they progress any further. Going to the dentist is just as important as going to the doctor! Don’t skip your yearly or biannual cleanups. 

Now, with all of that being said, the right dentist can have a huge impact! I personally see a biological dentist who has changed my life, and I highly recommend you find one too. (“Holistic,” “integrative,” “biological,” and “functional” are all different ways of saying that the dentist takes a more comprehensive approach to oral care.) My biological dentist helped me remove my toxic amalgam fillings and helped heal some infections that my previous dentist had missed. If you’re looking for a dentist near you who practices functional dentistry, check out the Find a Dentist Directory.

Nutrition: My friends Dr. Mark Burhenne, Dr. Rouzita Rashtian, and Dr. Steven Lin are all amazing functional and biological dentists who are the first to say that our nutrition matters when it comes to protecting our oral microbiome. We all know some version of this—for example, too much sugar causes cavities! But we have to take it a step further. Processed food consumption and overconsumption of sugary, refined-carb-heavy foods also weaken the oral microbiome. Fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K2) are particularly important for oral health. Some of these can be obtained through diet, and at times, supplements might also be necessary. Foods like liver, egg yolks, nuts and seeds, green leafy vegetables, and fermented foods like natto and sauerkraut contain fat-soluble vitamins that can keep our teeth and gums strong. 

Saltwater rinses: This tip is good for anyone who struggles with inflamed or bleeding gums, and it comes from my sister, who sees the same dentist that I do. She was struggling with a gum injury that left her gums really inflamed for months. Our dentist recommended daily warm saltwater rinses to help ease inflammation and reduce the presence of bad bacteria that were causing bleeding gums. This is a super-affordable way to tackle bad bacteria. All you need is half a teaspoon of high-quality, microplastic-free sea salt and warm water. Swish it around your mouth for 30 seconds twice a day. That’s it!

Tongue scraping: This is something I’ve been doing since I was a kid because it’s a part of my family’s culture, but it’s something that everyone can benefit from. Scraping your tongue helps to remove bacteria that can reside on your tongue and contribute to gum inflammation and eventually gingivitis. Tongue scraping is recommended by all my biological dentist friends as a great way to help remove bad bacteria from the mouth. Tongue scraping can also help with bad breath, improved taste, and less tooth decay! 

Add In Some Extras: Oral Health Products 

In addition to everything mentioned above, there are a few products that I’ve found to be helpful when it comes to my personal oral health. These aren’t basics, but they might be helpful on your journey toward better oral health. 

An electric toothbrush: One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced with my oral health is receding gums. My dentist told me that I was brushing too hard, causing my gums to wear down. Switching to an electric toothbrush has significantly helped me not brush as hard and helped with my receding gums. This is the one that I use, but there are many other affordable options on Amazon. 

Nano-hydroxyapatite toothpaste: I made the switch to nano-hydroxyapatite toothpaste a few years ago, and I’ll never look back. Nano-hydroxyapatite is a mineral used in dentistry to help support and remineralize teeth. It’s a safer alternative to fluoride and can help with cavity protection and strengthening enamel while also supporting the oral microbiome. My favorite one is Fygg toothpaste. They’ve also given me a discount code if you’re interested, so be sure to use code OMB20 at checkout! 

Mouth tape: My wife and I have been using mouth tape at night for years, and we never go anywhere without our trusty tape. Breathing with your mouth open is a guaranteed way to promote the growth of bad bacteria in the oral microbiome. Mouth taping helps promote nasal breathing, nitric oxide production, and an overall healthier mouth! There are so many good brands of mouth tape out there. This is the one that I use, but there are loads of options at different price points. If you struggle with any breathing challenges, always work with a doctor before you start mouth taping. 

And just FYI, I’ve recommended some products here, but none of these are products that sponsor my podcast or newsletter. They are just products that I like if you’re looking for ideas. 

I hope these tips are helpful. Your routine doesn’t have to be complicated; it just has to be consistent! 

See you next week, 
Dhru Purohit