We continue our conversation about oral immunity with Dr. Marcelo Freire, a leader in inflammation and microbiome-related pathogenicity. As a dual-scientist and clinician, Freire has expertise in oral medicine, periodontology, and craniofacial biology. His scientific innovations focus on investigating biological deficiencies in chronic diseases.

Dr. Freire is currently the President of the Clinical and Translational Science Network Group at IADR and has a passion for translating scientific innovations to health care. 

🎧 Stay in the know of when episodes drop by subscribing to our podcast here and on your favorite streaming platforms!

In this episode of Let’s Get Oral, we break down how saliva, gums, and the oral microbiome work as your body’s first line of defense — and what happens when that system goes off balance. From inflammation and gum disease to whole-body immune connections, this is the immunity conversation you didn’t know your dentist was having.

Keep smilin' everyone!

Our final episode of 2025 focuses on the transformative journey of Dr. Thad Connelly, a distinguished oral and maxillofacial surgeon dedicated to delivering personalized oral health solutions. This convo includes insights from his academic pursuits, his adventures in venture capital, and what he's building with Gengyve USA.

🎧 Stay in the know of when episodes drop by subscribing to our podcast on your favorite streaming platform!

Dr. Glogauer is an entrepreneurial clinician-scientist specializing in inflammation, the microbiome, and cancer. He is a Professor at the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto, and co-founder of Ostia Sciences Inc., a biotech startup specializing in the development of beneficial microbes that play a crucial role in fighting infectious diseases and enhancing immune function.

🎧 Stay in the know of when episodes drop by subscribing to our podcast on your favorite streaming platform!

Dr. Nolan is an entrepreneurial chemist-turned-dentist who serves as the Chief Science Officer of Elementa. He also founded the Cariology Institute to make oral care education more accessible to health care professionals.

Dr. Gordon is a chiropractic physician, dental hygienist, speaker, instructor, and healthcare educator. She is one of the co-founders of SWIFT Inc., a nonprofit organization that empowers women towards their education and professional pursuits in healthcare. Her practice philosophy focuses on treating TMJ conditions, oral systemic health, and pregnant women, and optimizing overall health and wellness.

🎧 Stay in the know of when episodes drop by subscribing to our podcast on your favorite streaming platform!

In this episode, we delve into one of the hottest topics in oral health...hydroxyapatite. It’s a naturally occurring mineral, and if you’ve been hearing the buzz about it as a modern alternative to fluoride, you’re not alone.

To guide us through the science and the practical applications, we’re joined by Jason Nesta — an oral health expert and product developer at the forefront of formulating products with hydroxyapatite. Jason has a deep understanding of both the research and the real-world impact of this ingredient, and today we’ll unpack what makes hydroxyapatite, how it works, and what it could mean for the future of oral care.

Keep smilin' everyone!

Laura Weyrich, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor at Penn State University who researches microbiome adaptation and evolution in different ecologies. She is also leading the development of oral microbiome technologies as the Founder and CEO of Microversal LLC.

🎧 Stay in the know of when episodes drop by subscribing to our podcast on your favorite streaming platform!

Dr. Khan shares his journey in founding the Smiles Unite Us Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting individuals with facial differences. We explore the transformative impact of cleft lip surgery and why personalized care—and even small acts of outreach—can change lives.

Want to hear more from us on this topic? Subscribe to our podcast on your favorite streaming platform and follow us on your socials to stay informed!

Want to hear more from us on this topic? Subscribe to our podcast on your favorite streaming platform and follow us on your socials to stay informed!

The implementation of fluoridated water has long been lauded as a victory for dental health because the chemical can strengthen tooth enamel and prevent cavities. However, evidence also shows that too much of it can present real health risks.

In this episode, we revisit the origins of fluoridated water, its effectiveness against caries, and why the potential risks of fluoride have so many people debating its use in our drinking water.

Want to hear more from us on this topic? Subscribe to our podcast on your favorite streaming platform and follow us on your socials to stay informed!

Dr. Balaster empowers her patients by educating them on self-care strategies for general health and dental implants, ensuring they understand how to maintain their oral health at home. Understanding the uniqueness of each patient, Dr. Balaster tailors treatments accordingly by recognizing that personalized care extends beyond surgical interventions. Her philosophy emphasizes a compassionate approach, ensuring that every procedure considers the person attached to the treatment, advancing patient-centered dentistry care.

🎧 Listen now by subscribing to our podcast on your favorite streaming platform!

Dr. Katie Lee is a dentist, speaker, author, and coach who lives in Aurora, Colorado. Currently, she consults for health technology companies, provides implant education for general dentists, and is seeing patients through telehealth. Dr. Lee has two passions in her profession: dentistry itself and making other dentists successful.

🎧 Listen now by subscribing to our podcast on your favorite streaming platform!

Dr. Burhenne is a functional dentist known for his focus on the connection between oral health and overall well-being. He is the founder of AsktheDentist.com, where he educates the public on holistic dental care, airway health, and sleep apnea. He is also the author of The 8-Hour Sleep Paradox, which explores how oral health impacts sleep quality.

🎧 Listen now by subscribing to our podcast on your favorite streaming platform!

Emily Stein, Ph.D. is co-founder and CEO of Primal Health LLC, a Life Sciences company aiming to revolutionize oral and systemic health through the development of novel oral microbiome modulatory products, with a current focus on the root cause of biofilm-related oral diseases.

🎧 Listen by subscribing to our podcast on your favorite streaming platform!

Shavonne walks us through her journey as a world-renowned dental hygienist and educator who is committed to empowering oral health professionals. Listen in as she reflects on how history, innovation, and autonomy guide her efforts to shape the future of oral healthcare by ensuring everyone has access to quality dental hygiene education and services.

Also check out A Higher Learning LLC for more information on upcoming events!

• May 31st - The Hazards of Empathy: Building Resilience Against Compassion Fatigue
• September 13th - 4th Annual Public Health Priorities Dental Symposium

Website: https://www.ahigherlearning.co

Dr. Porcher-Fennell is a dedicated dentist with a rich background in providing comprehensive care as a clinician and educator. She currently serves the people of North Carolina as a Dental Public Health Resident, enabling her to deliver accessible dental solutions to communities with oral health needs.

Dr. Jackson takes us through the challenges and triumphs of her path, from the early days of her career to founding the International Implant Institute, an organization dedicated to advancing the field of dental implants globally. Listen in as Dr. Jackson reflects on the importance of innovation, mentorship, and the global impact of her work, all while offering invaluable insights for dental professionals.

Check out the International Implant Institute website for more information on its instructors and their Implant Prosthodontics Mini Residency program! This 5-day intensive course offers comprehensive training in implant dentistry, designed specifically for general dentists looking to expand their skills.

Upcoming dates for Implant Prosthodontics Mini Residency:

• February 24-28
• April 7-11

Website: https://intlimplantinstitute.com/

Debbie is the Senior Director at StellaLife, an oral care company dedicated to improving oral and systemic health through natural solutions. With a wealth of experience in healthcare leadership, she is passionate about advancing patient care by bridging the gap between holistic wellness and evidence-based practices. Her strategic vision and commitment to sustainability drive StellaLife's mission to empower healthier lives through natural healing.

Margôt is a doctoral student in the Lynch Lab at the University of California San Francisco. She is from San Diego, California and attended University of San Francisco where she completed her B.S. in biology.

🎧 Listen by subscribing to our podcast on your favorite streaming platform!

Earlier this year at AAOSH, Camille had the opportunity to meet Dr. Sokolina, a leading expert in dental sleep medicine. Dr. Sokolina specializes in helping patients with sleep disorders, breathing issues, and comprehensive oral health improvement. Her approach integrates cutting-edge orthodontic techniques and airway-focused treatments to optimize both health and aesthetics.

Recognized for her expertise, Dr. Sokolina has been featured in prominent publications such as AARP, Sleep Review, JDSM, Oral Health, Orthodontic Products, and Sleep World. She is also a distinguished member of organizations like the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine and the American Academy of Physiological Medicine and Dentistry.

Tune in to hear Dr. Sokolina share her insights into how orthodontics, sleep medicine, and oral health come together to transform lives—improving not only function and sleep but also confidence and overall aesthetic harmony.

Find her here:

https://www.instagram.com/drmariasokolina/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-sokolina-dds-7711aa15/

https://www.facebook.com/harmonydental/

Armed with a doctorate in dental surgery from UCLA and a post-doctorate in orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics, he co-founded The Super Dentists with his business partner and wife, Dr. Nazli Keri. Over the last twenty years, The Super Dentists has become one of the leading multi-specialty dental practices in the country, utilizing the latest tools and techniques to provide patients with the safest, fastest, and most extraordinary dental experience.

Once you give this episode a listen, check out his bestseller If Your Mouth Could Talk along with his SuperMouth products!

Keep smilin' everyone!

Dr. Kotsakis is a periodontal expert who serves as a Professor of Oral Biology and Assistant Dean of Clinical Research at Rutgers School of Dental Medicine. He received his DDS from the University of Athens and practiced in Athens, Greece for several years before coming to the US.

🎧 Listen by subscribing to our podcast on your favorite streaming platform!

Dr. Rachelle Beattie is a microbial ecologist whose research focuses on harnessing the power of microorganisms to understand and improve environmental and human health. Today, Dr. Beattie serves as the lead of Research and Development at Proiora Health, where she uses her expertise in microbial ecology to evaluate the role of probiotics in the oral microbiome. 

This episode is part of a series of conversations held during the 2024 IDM Totality of Care Symposium in Knoxville, Tennessee.

In this episode (from 2023), we explore the scary myths and truths of whitening pop-ups, which Halloween treats are better or worse for teeth, and when is the best time to brush after eating sweets.

Show Notes

• Whitening popups and state regulations on whitening services
• The NIDCR reports that adults 20-64 have an average of 25.5 teeth!
• 2.2% of US adults have NO teeth
• Best Types of Treats for Teeth = chocolate, sugar-free, and nut candies
• Moderate evidence shows e-brushes are more effective at removing plaque. However, e-brushes are also more likely to abrade dentin

If you want to learn more about the links between oral and systemic health, follow Let's Get Oral here on LinkedIn and subscribe to our pod on your favorite streaming platform to stay informed!

David has over 10 years of molecular biology, microbiology, genomics, and synthetic biology experience across academia, public health, and industry. He has an extensive background in infectious disease and genomics, which is highlighted by his 11 peer-reviewed publications.

To learn more about Bristle and their oral microbiome saliva test, check out their website (https://www.bristlehealth.com/) for more details.

Keep smilin' everyone!

Through his mentorship programs, Dr. Hang teaches pediatric dentists, orthodontists, and general dentists to identify and treat airway disorders so their patients don’t suffer from sleep/breathing issues.

This episode is part of a series of conversations during the 2024 Totality of Care Symposium in Knoxville, Tennessee. Stay tuned to hear from researchers and clinicians implementing a complete health model of patient care by bridging oral health with the whole person. These conversations focus on topics including the oral microbiome, the brain-mouth axis, airway health, cardiology, and more.

Dr. David Alfi is a board-certified, dual-degree oral and maxillofacial surgeon who specializes in craniofacial and orthognathic surgery and rehabilitation. Following his residency, Dr. Alfi joined Houston Methodist and Texas Children’s Hospital while working as an associate professor and full-scope surgeon. Dr Alfi then started his private practice with the vision to excel in surgical outcomes and advance the field with research and development of surgical techniques.

This episode is part of a series of conversations we had during the 2024 Totality of Care Symposium in Knoxville, Tennessee. Stay tuned to hear from researchers and clinicians who are implementing a complete health model of patient care by bridging oral health with the whole person. These conversations focus on topics including the oral microbiome, the brain-mouth axis, airway health, cardiology, and more.

Dr. Liviu Steier has been practicing dentistry in Germany for over 40 years. He is a specialist in prosthodontics and endodontics with a host of research and practice experience in the US, Brazil, and Europe.

The Airway Revolution Foundation is a not-for-profit organization that promotes airway health by creating projects that generate awareness and discussion. Their mission is to increase awareness, advance education, and improve care so that millions of children & adults can live healthier lives.

This episode is part of a series of conversations at the 2024 Totality of Care Symposium.

With over 30 years of clinical experience, Dr. Puma has dedicated his career to treating, diagnosing, and preventing cardiovascular disease, providing personalized care to patients from around the world.

This episode is part of a series of conversations at the 2024 Totality of Care Symposium in Knoxville, Tennessee. Stay tuned to hear from researchers and clinicians implementing a complete health model of patient care by bridging oral health with the whole person.

Until next time, keep smilin' everyone!

In this week's episode, Dr.Gina Pritchard takes the wheel by continuing our IDM Totality of Care conversation with Dr. Nathan Bryan. Gina is a board-certified Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, specializing in cardiovascular disease prevention and treatment. Dr. Pritchard is on the Board of Directors for The Airway Revolution Foundation and is the Co-Clinical Director of Education for the Integrative Dental Medicine Scholar Society.

This episode is part of a series of conversations we had during the 2024 Totality of Care Symposium in Knoxville, Tennessee. Stay tuned to hear from researchers and clinicians who are implementing a complete health model of patient care by bridging oral health with the whole person. These conversations will focus on topics including the oral microbiome, the brain-mouth axis, the link between airway and breathing, cardiology, and more.

Hit the link in our bio or search for Let's Get Oral on your favorite streaming platform to listen now!

This episode is part of a series of conversations we had at the 2024 Totality of Care Symposium in Knoxville, Tennessee. Stay tuned to learn from researchers and clinicians who are implementing a complete health model of patient care by bridging oral health with the whole person. These conversations will focus on topics including the oral microbiome, the brain-mouth axis, the link between airway and breathing, cardiology, and so much more.

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Witt Wilkerson, the founder and CEO of the Integrative Dental Medicine Scholar Society (IDM). Dr. Wilkerson lectures worldwide on the subjects of restorative dentistry, dental occlusion, temporomandibular disorders, airway/dental sleep medicine, and integrative dental medicine.

This episode is part of a series of conversations we had at the 2024 Totality of Care Symposium in Knoxville, Tennessee. Stay tuned to learn from researchers and clinicians who are implementing a complete health model of patient care by bridging oral health with the whole person. These conversations will focus on topics including the oral microbiome, the brain-mouth axis, the link between airway and breathing, cardiology, and so much more.

Until next time, keep smilin' everyone!

In the spirit of global health, we did a deep dive into the importance of oral-systemic health with Lora Hooper!

Lora is a multi-faceted oral health therapist who became the first dental hygienist to work for a cardiologist in an oral-systemic practice. She uses her expertise to help patients and clinicians incorporate integrative oral and general health practices into practice.

If you haven't already, please follow/subscribe to us here and on your favorite streaming platform to stay in the loop for future episodes.

We are also delighted to announce that LGO will be joining the Integrative Dental Medicine Scholar Society at the 2024 Totality of Care Symposium in Knoxville! Over the coming days and weeks, we will continue to share more news on symposium speakers and educational topics related to oral-systemic health.

Holly is a mission-driven entrepreneur who has harnessed her expertise in microbial ecology to develop one of the largest microbiome databases for companion pets. We talked about what motivated her to launch AnimalBiome, how antibiotic use can disrupt the microbiome of our pets, and how we as pet parents can keep our furkid's teeth healthy.

After launching a highly successful Kickstarter campaign in 2015, Holly has been instrumental in the development of microbiome products and genomic databases that have helped thousands of pet parents address the gut and oral health issues their furry pets may be dealing with through microbiome science.

Some Highlights:

• AnimalBiome has analyzed fecal samples from at least 35 different species of pets including horses, pigs, rodents, birds, and more!
• Humans and pets can share microbes!
• Unlike dogs, cats cannot taste sweetness due to the lack of sugar-sensing taste buds. (Li, Xia, et al. "Cats Lack a Sweet Taste Receptor." The Journal of Nutrition)

Links from this episode:

• List of Holly's research articles that explore the environmental biology of Bacillus anthracis, how different diets influence the gut microbiome of pets, and more.
• More information on DoggyBiome™ and KittyBiome™ gut + oral health test kits.
• To learn more about your pet poo can tell you more about their help, check out their free Fecal Image Scan.

Listen now on Apple, Spotify, Google Podcasts, any other podcast platform, or directly from our website here!

Follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn to stay informed on new episodes, announcements, and breaking news in oral health. Keep smilin' everyone!

On this episode of Let's Get Oral, we react to the latest Huberman Lab podcast that covers the basics of oral health in depth. We also briefly discuss how supporting the oral microbiome is a new aspect of elevating your oral, brain, and metabolic health.

Did you listen to the latest Huberman Lab podcast? If so, let us know in the comments what stood out to you.

You can listen to all of our episodes on Apple, Spotify, Google Podcasts, any other podcast platform, or directly from our website!

Keep smilin' everyone!

Check out OSSA Care for their toothpaste and mouth serum products available now!

• Instagram: ossacare
• LinkedIn: Os Salutem

Please help us spread the word about Let's Get Oral by letting your family and friends know about us! Hit that share button, subscribe if you're not already a regular listener, and give us a quick review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to us.

Follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn to stay informed on new episodes, announcements, and breaking news in oral health.

Keep smilin' everyone!

Dr. An is a dental research physician focused on understanding the basic biological mechanisms of aging in oral health and disease. He currently serves as Assistant Professor of Oral Health Sciences and Faculty in the Healthy Aging and Longevity Institute at the University of Washington School of Dentistry.

Listen now on Apple, Spotify, Google Podcasts, any other podcast platform, or directly from our website here!

Follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn to stay informed on new episodes, announcements, and breaking news in oral health.

In this episode, we explore the scary myths and truths of dental cosplay, which treats are better or worse for teeth, and when is the best time to brush.

Show Notes:

1. Whitening Popups and state regulations on whitening services
2. The NIDCR reports that adults 20-64 have an average of 25.5 teeth!
3. 2.2% of US adults have NO teeth
4. Best Types of Treats for Teeth = chocolate, sugar-free, and nut candies
5. Moderate evidence shows e-brushes are more effective at removing plaque
6. However, e-brushes are also more likely to abrade dentin

If you want to learn more about the links between oral and systemic health, follow Let's Get Oral here on LinkedIn and subscribe to our pod on your favorite streaming platform to stay informed!

In this episode, Camille and Jonathan further explore the existing research, safety, and consumer landscape of oral probiotics. Below are some notes we refer to throughout this episode:

• Lactobacillus salivarius tablets (Nishihara et al 2014) have shown the ability to reduce the risk of tooth decay.
• Clinical study w/ inactivated Lactobacillus plantarum L137 capsules showed probiotics can reduce pocket depth in patients undergoing supportive periodontal therapy (Iwasaki et al 2016).
• L. rhamnosus GG + Bifidobacterium lactis BB12 lozenges were evaluated for anti-gingival and biofilm effects in healthy adolescents (Alanizi et al 2018).
• L. reuteri 2x chewing gum reduced OLT scores after two weeks of use (Yoo et al 2019) and L. salivarius probiotics helped control bad breath and related factors (Suzuki et al 2014).

Want more from us? Follow us on Instagram (@letsgetoral) or our website (Let's Get Oral) to stay informed!

In this episode, we dive deep into the roles nitric oxide (NO) plays in cardiovascular and oral health. We go over the basics of NO biology, the role of the oral microbiome in NO production, and how the disruption of this relationship can impact our health.

Please help us spread the word about Let's Get Oral by letting your family and friends know about us! Hit that share button, subscribe if you're not already a regular listener, and give us a quick review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to us.

Follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn to stay informed on new episodes, announcements, and breaking news in oral health.

Keep smilin' everyone!

Since the previous episode with Dr. Glogauer touched A LOT on this topic, we want to chat about the how, why, and what to do about oral inflammation.

Additional Tidbits:

• Intermittent fasting and perio health
• Footballers and oral health

Please help us spread the word about Let's Get Oral by letting your family and friends know about us! Hit that share button, subscribe if you're not already a regular listener, and give us a quick review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to us.

Follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn to stay informed on new episodes, announcements, and breaking news in oral health.

Keep smilin' everyone!

The Questions we had for him:

You’re currently working on a chair side device that measures inflammation-

1. What started you on the path to developing this device?
2. What do you think the benefit will be for the providers using this assay?
3. What is the most surprising thing you learned during the development process?
4. Most salivary diagnostics outside of infectious disease run up against the issue of person to person variability, especially around inflammatory cytokines. How is your device different or how have you been able to address this common issue? 
5. One of the most compelling pieces of your work is your observation that oral inflammation is intimately tied to the immune profile of the circulating cells. Can you tell us more about your work in this space?
6. Do you think there is a role for your chair side assay in tracking circulatory health?
7. There is currently a lot of activity in diagnostics for analysis of the oral microbiome. I have my skepticism but I do see a potential to create a more robust opportunity by mixing the two tests- inflammation and microbiome analysis. The way I see it is this: oral inflammation can drive dysbiosis and create potential for chronic pathology and therefore, if you have a positive inflammation test with a micro test that shows increase to pathogen profile, risk for progression of pathology is certain. However, I am still unsure if we really need to know exactly which bacteria are present. I think of inflammation as the primary driver. Can you tell us your thoughts on combining tests - how they might be (or not) useful for the clinician and/or patient?

Additional Questions:

1. Do you think there are potential applications for this salivary Dx beyond oral health? (e.g. fitness/recovery assay for professional athletes)
2. Could you share some insights into what inspired your journey as an entrepreneurial research physician?
3. How do you envision the realm of dentistry and oral health will look in 2050? What do you think are the biggest challenges oral health faces during this window of time?
4. How long have you played bass guitar? Are you in a band?

Please help us spread the word about Let's Get Oral by letting your family and friends know about us! Hit that share button, subscribe if you're not already a regular listener, and give us a quick review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to us.

Follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn to stay informed on new episodes, announcements, and breaking news in oral health.

Keep smilin' everyone!

Show Notes:

• https://myfitstrip.com/
• ‘Persistent salivary gland hypofunction often leads to an increased activity of caries with lesions on cervical, incisal and cuspal tooth surfaces, dental erosion, mucosal changes and oral fungal infections’ https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/odi.12867 
• ‘The rate of alpha-amylase secretion was influenced by mastication in accord with digestive function, in that more secretion was induced by food than by nonfood stimuli, more by bread than by celery, and more by larger than smaller pieces of bread.’ https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9384(90)90131-M 
• ‘Ghrelin (hunger hormone) in saliva is produced and released by salivary glands. The effect of ghrelin on oral cell proliferation adds to the pro-proliferative action of other salivary growth factors.’ https://doi.org/10.1373/clinchem.2004.040667 
• Chewing gum can help stabilize GLP-1, upstream, and reduce feelings of hunger https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12020-015-0566-1 

Please help us spread the word about Let's Get Oral by letting your family and friends know about us! Hit that share button, subscribe if you're not already a regular listener, and give us a quick review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to us.

Follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn to stay informed on new episodes, announcements, and breaking news in oral health.

Keep smilin' everyone!

Why have we demonized the Oral Microbiome? 

From dental cleaning, root scaling, microbiome-guided therapy, chlorhexidine, Listerine, Stannous Fluoride. We are all trained to remove, deplete, and kill our mouth bacteria. How can we harness the oral microbiome for good? What should we be doing differently? Should we be microbiome testing our mouths? What would we learn? Would we treat ourselves differently?

As dental professionals the oral microbiome is seen as problematic because oral bacteria can contribute to the development of cavities, periodontal disease, and tooth loss. As we uncover the mysteries of the oral microbiome, we have found that depleting some species with oral care products intended for therapy can cause a depletion in essential nitric oxide, which is essential for heart health; obviously our unique microbiome is nuanced and tricky and I cannot think of a single person more qualified to speak on this subject than Dr. Purnima Kumar, recently named Chair of Periodontics and Oral Medicine at University of Michigan. 

Please help us spread the word about Let's Get Oral by letting your family and friends know about us! Hit that share button, subscribe if you're not already a regular listener, and give us a quick review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to us.

Follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn to stay informed on new episodes, announcements, and breaking news in oral health.

Keep smilin' everyone!