This country doesn’t fluoridate their water. Here’s what shocked me.

I just got back from back-to-back travel: first a family wedding in New York, then a week in Iceland with my middle daughter and my wife.

My middle daughter, my wife, and I spent our days chasing waterfalls, hiking through mossy lava fields, and photographing Icelandic horses at golden hour.

Everywhere I go, I’m on the lookout for functional dentistry. Iceland didn’t disappoint. They don’t use the word “functional,” but the principles are alive and well: diet-first, prevention-based, whole-body care.

The country has one of the lowest DMFT (decayed, missing, filled teeth) ratios in the world, and no water fluoridation.

Free dental care until age 18. Nearly 80% of the population sees a dentist every year—nearly double the rate we see in the U.S., where access, cost, and awareness still get in the way for far too many.

Here in Iceland, you don’t hear the word “functional”—but the approach is unmistakable.

They understand the impact of fish-rich diets, high mineral content in water, and simple, consistent habits. I tasted the best “potato chip” of my life—though it wasn’t made of potatoes. Just salted cod—two ingredients, crisped to perfection. The simplest snack on the island turned out to be the most unforgettable.

They’ve got fewer than 400,000 people in the whole country, but somehow they’ve made a dental care model that is world-class, preventative, and airway-first. That has really stuck with me.

If you want to find a like-minded provider near you, my Functional Dentist Directory is a good place to start. Next month, I am teaching a Foundations of Functional Dentistry for any dentist interested—hit reply for details on how to sign up.

Travel always reminds me how much routine matters—and how hard it can be to stick with your non-negotiables on the road. But a few habits (and a few products) came with me. I wanted to share the ones that made this trip better.

1) This fluoride-filtering water bottle (link)
This comes with me on every trip—hotel sinks, airport fountains, even coffee shop tap water. I used it every day in New York. Iceland’s water was pure enough to skip it, but that’s the exception. Most places I travel, I don’t assume the water’s clean—even bottled water can have PFAS or fluoride. This bottle keeps it simple: fill, filter, drink.

2) This magnesium blend (link)
Iceland’s long days (sunset was past 11PM) made it hard to wind down. This helped.
Two capsules before bed. That’s all it takes. Magnesium Breakthrough made a big difference on this trip—helping me fall asleep even with Iceland’s 11PM sunsets and keeping post-hike leg cramps at bay. It’s one of the few supplements I never skip when traveling. So many people are surprised to learn that magnesium plays a key role in dental health. It’s a co-pilot for calcium, helping it get to where it needs to go. That means better enamel and fewer cavities.

3) This whey protein powder (link)
Our hotels had continental breakfasts. They didn’t always have protein.
I brought this. Just two scoops in water or milk made a great breakfast with 26 grams of protein. It’s filling, digestible, and travels well.

4) These trace minerals (link)
Between hot springs and long hikes, we were constantly sweating. I added a few drops to my water bottle every morning. Minerals aren’t optional when you’re hiking all day and moving all day in the cold air and wind.

5) This xylitol gum (link)
Happy PPL gum is no longer around, but I brought two great replacements with me—both are microplastic-free and linked in my Amazon shop. Travel and jet lag = unpredictable meals and snacking. Xylitol gum helps buffer the impact by neutralizing acids between brushing and flossing sessions and supporting a healthy oral microbiome. One randomized controlled study even found it significantly reduced cavity-causing bacteria in children who chewed it daily (source). This is literally the easiest hack if you (or your children) are cavity-prone.

6) This travel toothbrush (link)
Still the best design for travel. It folds into its own handle. No case needed. And it doesn’t get wet or squashed in your dopp kit. Decades ago I switched to this toothbrush for travel, and it’s still one of my favorite brushes.

7) This oral microbiome test (link)
I walked into a Reykjavik pharmacy and was blown away—OTC tests for vitamin D, A1C, CRP, and more, all available without a prescription. Iceland gets it. In Iceland, prevention is part of the infrastructure—just like clean water or safe sidewalks. This reminded me of Bristle, a mail-in oral microbiome test that I’m the scientific advisor for. This test gives you real data and actionable insights on your oral and systemic health. If you’ve ever wondered what’s actually going on in your mouth—what kind of bacteria are living there, how they’re impacting the rest of your body—this gives you real answers. It’s the kind of tool I wish more people knew existed.

I know your inbox is full, so thanks for reading all the way to the end. I always love hearing what works for you—what you pack, what you never skip, what routines hold up across time zones.

I’m grateful you’re here and that this connection between the mouth and the rest of the body resonates with you—it still amazes me, even after all these years.

All my best to you and your families,

Dr. B

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