Most patients smile when they hear about Invisalign, as it’s both affordable and effective. However, as soon as interproximal reduction (IPR) is mentioned, their hackles go up. Today’s question is all about IPR: what it is, its role in aligner therapy, and whether it’s a safe procedure. The enquirer in question is worried that IPR will affect the health of her teeth long-term and, in this episode, Dr. B gives an in-depth explanation of the uses, precision, procedure, and safety of IPR in the con...
Jun 14, 2022•20 min•Ep. 62
Today’s question comes from Megan who found herself experiencing very serious gum sensitivity four days after getting a filling. In light of the fact that she has more cavities to be filled, she would like to know about the cause of this pain and whether or not she should be taking a different approach to the care of her gums in the future. In this episode, Dr. B explains the process of putting in a filling, how the technique of putting in a regular filling differs from a two or multi-surface fi...
Jun 07, 2022•27 min•Ep. 61
As you may know, sugar is highly addictive, it’s found in many of the products we consume, and it is a major cause of chronic disease. But not all sugars are created equal. In today’s episode, Dr. B shares why we should stay far away from artificial sweeteners such as aspartame and sorbitol, and choose natural sweeteners like monk fruit (luo han guo) instead. Monk fruit is 200 times sweeter than sugar, contains no calories or carbs, and it tastes good! That’s why Dr. B recommends monk fruit-swee...
May 31, 2022•20 min•Ep. 60
If your dentist has recommended that your child undergo a pediatric sedation, it’s completely normal to feel anxious about it (even though only one in a million of these procedures has a negative outcome). In today’s episode, Dr. B. is joined by specialist pediatric dentist, Dr. Staci Whitman, who is going to equip you with information that will make the whole idea a lot less scary. Dr. Staci explains the value of pediatric sedation, and why she prefers general anesthesia over oral or IV sedatio...
May 24, 2022•53 min•Ep. 59
Multiple systemic illnesses are linked to dysregulation of the oral microbiome, highlighting the importance of understanding the oral-systemic connection. However, we see dentists and physicians separately! Join us today to learn about the oral-systemic connection and why your physician and your dentist should be communicating. Dr. B explains why he wrote the Physician's CRP Letter, how dentistry and medicine split apart, and why this is such a bad model for overall patient health. We learn abou...
Apr 26, 2022•35 min•Ep. 58
With climate change being the issue it is, many people are seeking alternative packaging for health products that reduces their environmental footprint. One of these alternatives is toothpaste in tablet form. Today’s episode is centered around a listener's question of whether she should be using Bite tablets or Wellnesse toothpaste. We dive into the topic with Dr. B's appreciation for both brands, and why he is so grateful for the options that boutique brands are providing us with. We next move ...
Apr 19, 2022•37 min•Ep. 57
Welcome back to another episode of Ask the Dentist! Today's question is from a listener who has white spots on her teeth following braces, and she wants to know what Dr. B recommends to treat them. We dive into the topic with Dr. B's explanation of what these white spots are, and how they are formed. We learn why the current standard practice of orthodontics is outdated, and why parents need to be involved when a kid gets braces. Tune in to hear Dr. B's three main suggestions on how to prevent t...
Apr 12, 2022•48 min•Ep. 56
Oral piercings are common amongst younger generations and are frequently judged by those who are older. This is not the case with Dr. B, who feels it's your choice. Tune in today to hear why you should be changing dentists if yours is making you feel uncomfortable about your piercings, and what to look for in a dentist who will give you the proper care. Dr. B breaks down the locations of oral piercings and the most common health issues associated with each of them. We also hear some great advice...
Apr 05, 2022•30 min•Ep. 55
Like many people, Dr. B is not a fan of the time change. However, as always, he has some great tips on how to cope with the change, resulting in improved sleep and better time management. Join us as we move from this helpful topic, to today’s question about tonsil stones, bad breath, grinding, and how they are all linked! We first learn what tonsil stones are, and how Dr. B recommends managing them without surgery. We hear how the oral microbiome is involved in their formation, and what the prod...
Mar 29, 2022•28 min•Ep. 54
By now all Ask the Dentist podcast listeners should be well aware of and hopefully using, Dr. B's functional dentist directory. However, what can you do when you can't find a functional dentist near you? Today's episode starts with Dr. B providing a different definition of what functional dentistry is, followed by a discussion around why the question featured is such a good one. Dr. B explains why no dentist is not better than a regular dentist, and how biological and integrative dentists are pa...
Mar 22, 2022•20 min•Ep. 53
If you've ever investigated the chemical makeup of your retainer cleaner, you would have been horrified to discover toxic chemicals such as persulfate. Understandably, today's question is from a concerned listener who wants to know if Dr. B has any advice on how to avoid these chemicals. Join us today as we hear about the retainer and denture cleaning products currently on the market, and why Dr. B is so concerned about persulfate. We dive into the role of a functional dentist in not only identi...
Mar 15, 2022•36 min•Ep. 52
In the USA, children are often encouraged to brush their teeth multiple times a day, however, as they grow older this often tapers to just mornings and evenings. Today’s question is from a listener in Colombia, where it is not uncommon for people to brush multiple times a day as adults. After listening to Dr. B's podcasts on how brushing your teeth can strip away the enamel, Steven sent in his question asking if it is unhealthy to brush after lunch. Tune in to find out why Dr. B encourages this,...
Mar 08, 2022•20 min•Ep. 51
One of the most widely known recommendations for women while pregnant is to avoid eating fish due to the mercury content. But what about amalgam fillings? Today's question is posed by Emily, a concerned mother who wants to know if her breast milk is safe for her baby to drink because of the metal fillings she has. Join us to find out why Dr. B has both a short and a long answer to today's question, and why he believes that it is safe for Emily to be breastfeeding. We hear all about the forms of ...
Mar 01, 2022•36 min•Ep. 50
Following the removal of braces, many orthodontists place a fixed retainer to ensure there is no relapse movement of your teeth. However, as Dr. B explains today, teeth are a dynamic tissue, and permanently fixing them in place can cause a multitude of oral health issues such as gum recession, gum disease, and even bone loss. Join us as Dr. B addresses Sarah and Staci’s questions about whether fixed retainers are a good idea in children and adults. The short answer is no (although there are exce...
Feb 22, 2022•32 min•Ep. 49
Almost everyone wants that shiny, white smile… But at what cost? Many kinds of toothpaste sold throughout the USA have Relative Dentin Abrasion values well over the hardness of what our teeth are made of, resulting in tooth sensitivity and increased wear and tear. Today Dr. B dives into the makeup of common toothpaste brands, and how each of these is likely to affect your oral health. From the surprising RDA values of toothpastes marketed towards people with sensitive teeth to the habits and bad...
Feb 15, 2022•36 min•Ep. 48
For thousands of years, Ayurvedic medicine used oil pulls to address oral and dental health. With the advent of Western medicine, we have shifted to using toothbrushes and toothpaste, which often contain harmful chemicals, and sterilize the oral microbiome. Today, Dr. B talks to us about why this is so bad for our oral microbiome and our teeth in general, and how you can make your own healthy and remineralizing oil pull chews! We dive into the science behind oil pulls, how they help to maintain ...
Feb 08, 2022•27 min•Ep. 47
Welcome to the first episode of the Ask the Dentist podcast for 2022! Dr. B is excited to share with you today the company that he has partnered with to test the oral microbiome (Bristle), and why he feels that this test is so important to our health. We move on to the weekly listener's question, asking how you can kick the sugar habit. Dr. B has personal experience with this and talks us through his tips, tricks, and substitutes to live a healthier, sugar-free life. We learn why there are two p...
Feb 01, 2022•38 min•Ep. 46
The COVID-19 pandemic was particularly hard on small businesses, including private dental practices. Many of these practices have turned to Dental Support Organizations (DSOs) to keep them afloat. Join us today as we dive into the politics of dentistry and DSOs with Dr. B! We hear the pros and cons of being part of a DSO as a dental practitioner, and how the type of practice you choose can affect your outcomes as a patient. Find out why Dr. B was fired from his very first job, and the experience...
Jan 25, 2022•37 min•Ep. 45
Hearing that your child has enamel hypoplasia can be incredibly distressing, for both the parent and the dentist! Today Dr. B talks to us about what enamel hypoplasia means, why dentists start sweating when they see it, and why it isn’t your fault as a parent. We hear how to identify enamel hypoplasia, and the tools you will need to keep an eye on it, as well as the potential outcomes of leaving it untreated. Dr. B discusses the various causes of enamel hypoplasia commonly listed in textbooks, a...
Jan 18, 2022•25 min•Ep. 44
As kids, many of us grew up kissing our parents on the mouth. Today’s question centers around this, with a listener querying Dr. B’s advice not to kiss kids on the mouth! Tune in to find out why Dr. B advises against this, even though our ancestors have been doing it for centuries. We find out why this behavior was mostly okay in our past, but why it is a potentially dangerous habit in today's society. We break down how kids acquire their oral microbiome (vaginal birth and breastfeeding), and th...
Jan 11, 2022•15 min•Ep. 43
What do art history and functional dentistry have in common? They both require primary sources when researching a contentious question! Today's question focuses on Sorbitol and whether or not it can cause tooth decay. Dr. B answers this question but also takes us through his methodology when investigating a chemical, so that you can apply critical thinking to the chemicals that affect you daily. From simply googling the question to a deep dive into the literature available using the NIH's PubChe...
Jan 04, 2022•28 min•Ep. 42
With the rise of social media, there has also been a rise in so-called clinical advice and home health hacks, many of which are harmful. Today, Dr. B addresses the issue of tooth shaving, and why it's a dangerous trend. We hear why the serrations (mamelons) at the edge of your teeth are actually a good thing, and what you can do instead of tooth shaving if you are unhappy with your smile. We dive into the dangers of tooth shaving and home remedies for dental bleaching, and why only horses should...
Dec 28, 2021•14 min•Ep. 41
Did you know that a woodpecker’s tongue wraps all the way around its brain? In today’s episode, we’re talking all things tongues as Dr. B answers a listener’s question about tongue thrust! From the evolutionary reason for why a woodpecker’s tongue is like it is, to how a tongue thrust affects your face, breathing, talking, and so much more, this episode has it all! We dissect how the tongue functions normally and what leads to an abnormal position such as a tongue thrust. We are reminded of the ...
Dec 21, 2021•21 min•Ep. 40
For thousands of years, humans lived relatively sugar-free, with refined sugars not yet produced. However, in today's society, much of what we consume has been processed and sweetened. In this episode, Dr. B addresses the question of whether honey and maple syrup are ok to eat, and how they impact your teeth. The short answer is "no", however, there are nuances to everything in the body, and Dr. B gives some great tips on how to consume small quantities of sugar, safely. We hear why the myriad o...
Dec 14, 2021•25 min•Ep. 39
Flavoring water with lemon juice has become the new rage, with people doing it for several reasons; from health benefits to making drinking water more palatable. However, lemon juice is acidic, and as we know from previous episodes with Dr. B, acid attacks in the mouth are bad for enamel! Tune in today to find out how you can safely enjoy your lemon-flavored water and other acidic drinks, where you can find a pH stick to find out exactly what it is that you are drinking, and why prevention is be...
Dec 07, 2021•22 min•Ep. 38
Many people shudder when they hear the term "root canal", so, unsurprisingly, there is an even greater fear around baby root canals. In today's episode, Dr. B addresses this fear by answering a question about the risks involved in baby root canals, and how they work. From his position of expertise, Dr. B talks us through why a root canal is a great option, and how a baby root canal is not all that different. He defines the difference between a pulpotomy and a pulpectomy in kids, and how each of ...
Nov 30, 2021•20 min•Ep. 37
Welcome back to Ask The Dentist, your dose of dental advice in a bite-sized podcast! Today Dr. B covers all things porcelain veneers: from what they are, to how they work, to whether or not they are necessary, and so much more! Tune in to hear Dr. B’s favorite story about giving a patient veneers, and how they changed this person’s life. We find out why it’s so important to make sure that you are getting veneers for the right reasons, and what the long-term consequences are. We discover the heal...
Nov 23, 2021•38 min•Ep. 36
One of the first rituals a child is taught is to brush their teeth after breakfast. And up until 10 years ago, Dr. B was giving this same advice to patients. However, with the discovery of the oral microbiome, science is no longer pointing to this as best practice. Today Dr. B addresses the question “What is the benefit of brushing our teeth before or after our first meal of the day?” Tune in to hear how eating causes an acid wash within our mouths, and how brushing during this results in enamel...
Nov 16, 2021•20 min•Ep. 35
When NASA noticed astronauts were losing essential minerals in space, they started prescribing hydroxyapatite supplementation. A Japanese company picked up on this, and in the 1970s released a commercial toothpaste containing hydroxyapatite. Recently, a toothpaste brand in the USA has also jumped on the bandwagon, and today Dr. B answers two questions about why this is a great prospect! Tune in to hear how hydroxyapatite works on teeth (and bones), why it’s better than fluoride, and where you ca...
Nov 09, 2021•30 min•Ep. 34
As a functional dentist, Dr. B is used to being asked what functional dentistry is. However, this week, this question comes with a twist as fans ask Dr. B what he is most excited about in functional dentistry. Tune in to discover Dr. B's journey to functional dentistry, from sleuthing as a child to setting up a directory globally for fellow functional dentists. Find out how functional dentistry ultimately saves lives and money, and why (despite this) the ADA doesn’t yet accept it as a specializa...
Nov 02, 2021•28 min•Ep. 33
