Oral health is connected to full-body health in myriad ways. In fact, conditions ranging from obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and even dementia are all directly connected to poor oral health. In this House Call episode, Dr. Hyman speaks with Dr. Todd LePine about how to address dental health from a functional medicine perspective. They discuss everything from basic oral hygiene to mercury fillings to root canals, and more. They also discuss cases they’ve treated in which there was a link between the patient’s oral health and their systemic health.
Dr. LePine graduated from Dartmouth Medical School and is Board Certified in Internal Medicine, specializing in Integrative Functional Medicine. He is an Institute for Functional Medicine Certified Practitioner. Prior to joining The UltraWellness Center, he worked as a physician at Canyon Ranch in Lenox, MA, for 10 years. Dr. LePine’s focus at The UltraWellness Center is to help his patients achieve optimal health and vitality by restoring the natural balance to both the mind and the body. His areas of interest include optimal aging, bio-detoxification, functional gastrointestinal health, systemic inflammation, autoimmune disorders and the neurobiology of mood and cognitive disorders. Dr. LePine teaches around the world, and has given lectures to doctors and patients at American College for Advancement in Medicine (ACAM), Age Management Medicine Group (AMMG), the University of Miami Integrative Medicine Conference, The Kripalu Center in Lenox, MA, and is on the faculty for American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine (A4M). Dr. LePine is the head of the Scientific Advisory Board for Designs for Health and a consultant for Diagnostic Solutions Laboratory. He enjoys skiing, kayaking, hiking, camping and golfing in the beautiful Berkshires, and is a fitness enthusiast.
In this episode, Dr. Hyman and Dr. LePine discuss:
- The link between oral health and diseases such as Alzheimer’s, dementia, diabetes, cancer, and many more
- Traditional vs. biological approaches to dentistry
- The dangers of metal fillings
- Root canals
- The connection between the mouth and the gut
- How gluten can lead to weakened tooth enamel
- Improving oral health through diet and nutrition
- The Role of the Gut Oral Microbiome in Systemic Health
We hope you enjoy this conversation!
