Bleeding gums are a vital sign
The dentist you choose today will show up in your heart, your brain, and your gut decades from now. Picture two people. …
Mondays with Mark
“weird” things I do to stay healthy…
If you followed me around for a week, you’d see a few health habits that make perfect sense: exercise, flossing, taking …
You guys really liked the dark chocolate thing!
Last week’s list landed harder than I expected — especially the darkchocolate thing! (Here it is in case you …
After every cleaning, I sent my patients home with chocolate
Your dentist has told you what to avoid: sugar, soda, ice, sticky candy. But they’ve probably never told you …
I was in Erewhon and I couldn’t keep my mouth shut
I was in Los Angeles last week visiting one of my daughters, and she took me to Erewhon. (Happily, for the record.) If …
Your Prilosec is working. Your teeth say otherwise…
Do any of these sound like you? You wake up clearing your throat. The edges of your front teeth look more see-through …
Why your jaw looks like that (and what you can do about it now)
You’ve always hated your side profile. The “weak chin.” The jaw that seems to disappear into your …
Your “natural” toothpaste is doing more harm than good…
If you switched from Crest to a “natural” toothpaste, I need you to go grab the tube right now. I’d …
I owe you an update on oil pulling…
I’ve been recommending oil pulling for years. I wrote about it back in January and a lot of you tried it — some of …
Why I stopped taking my old magnesium
I’m going to tell you something most dentists won’t. For 40 years, I watched patients do everything right — …
What your dentist should be telling you about breast cancer
We all hear the same breast cancer prevention advice: get your mammograms, know your family history, eat well, exercise. …
Weirdest mouth signs that predict colon cancer
I got my colonoscopy last year. Sitting in the prep room, I kept thinking about something most gastroenterologists still …
What I Wish Dental School Had Taught Me About the Oral Microbiome
When I graduated from dental school, nobody talked about the oral microbiome. It wasn’t in the curriculum. It …
After years of avoiding the dentist, ask this first
A friend of mine—a healthcare practitioner—called me in tears a few years ago. She hadn’t been to the dentist in …
If weight loss feels harder than it should, read this
For years, when patients asked me about weight gain, I’d deflect. “That’s not really my area. Talk to your doctor.” I …
When’s the last time your dentist asked about your blood sugar?
When’s the last time your dentist asked about your blood sugar? Probably never. But here’s what I’ve …
Your mouthwash is backfiring—try this 2-min trick instead
Let’s be honest: most people don’t reach for mouthwash because it works. They use it because they like the feeling—the …
Why I don’t believe in New Year’s resolutions
I was bike riding this morning, and I started thinking about New Year’s resolutions. Actually, that’s not …
If your gums bleed, this seal is already failing
Last week, I was helping my son-in-law fix a leaky faucet in their kitchen. The problem? A worn-out rubber gasket. It …
The Potato Trick Dentists Don’t Talk About
It’s December 22nd. You’re surrounded by sugar. Your oral microbiome is under siege. When you constantly …
What I’m doing about my 8-year-old granddaughter’s cavity
When my three-year-old granddaughter was diagnosed with a cavity, my first thought wasn’t just, She needs a …
Why are the healthiest people often the worst sleepers?
It was 2006, and I woke up to three pillows hitting my face. My daughters—all three of them—had been in the same hotel …
If you wake up with a dry mouth or bad breath, read this immediately
I’m going to be direct with you: If your breath is consistently bad, covering it up with mints and mouthwash …
Why do men get bleeding gums more often than women?
Why do men get bleeding gums far more often than women? You’ve probably noticed it too. Maybe you’re a guy …