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 …
Mondays with Mark
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 …
The cavity risk your dentist isn’t asking about
At my annual physical, my doctor asks about my diet, sleep, and stress levels. When most people go to the dentist, they …
Why Your Cardiologist Should Talk to Your Dentist
Thirty years ago, when I started associating periodontal disease to cardiovascular risk, other dentists told me I was …
On a Statin or SSRI? Read This Before Your Next Dental Cleaning
A patient came to see me many years ago—let’s call her Carol. She was 58, took great care of her teeth, and had …
Why do I keep getting canker sores?
Here’s what most dentists tell you about canker sores: use a numbing gel, avoid spicy foods, and wait it out. …
The supplement that could change postpartum recovery
I was there when my wife gave birth to all three of our daughters. Fast forward 30 years, and my wife and I had the …
Your dentist might catch cancer before your doctor can
These oral bacteria tripled cancer risk in a massive new study. Researchers followed 122,000 people for nearly a decade. …
Why I Stopped Taking My Old Magnesium
You might trust your magnesium supplement. You shouldn’t. Independent labs have found heavy metals—lead, cadmium, …
My two secret weapons against coffee stains
For years in my practice, I saw my patients panic about stains before interviews, weddings, or big events. I even …
What I’d tell you if we sat down to talk longevity over coffee
Last week I shared my personal longevity must‑haves. The response was overwhelming—many of you shared stories of …
What I Wish Dental School Had Taught Me About the Oral Microbiome
I want to share something I was never taught in dental school, but I wish I had been. It would’ve changed how I …
After losing both of my parents to dementia, this one thing became non-negotiable…
Both of my parents died of dementia-related illnesses. Watching them lose their memory, personality, and ultimately …