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What finally fixed my dragon breath - Ask the Dentist
Back in dental school, I’d stay up late studying with a plate of my wife’s chocolate chip cookies as fuel. I brushed at 1am, but still woke up with dragon breath. I chalked it up to stress and exhaustion, but now I know it was an early lesson in how the oral microbiome drives bad breath. …
No One's Explained Your Bad Breath Like This Before... - Ask the Dentist
I love skiing in the winter. But every time I’m out on the slopes, I cringe when I see the water vapor people lose on every exhale. I can’t help but think: they’re losing water fast, they’ll feel it in sore muscles later, and when they get home? Bad breath. Mouth breathing dries out the …
Why your mouth feels like cotton at 2am - Ask the Dentist
If you live with dry mouth, you’ll recognize these struggles right away. Dry mouth can happen for many reasons—common medications, aging, or autoimmune conditions like Sjögren’s (where dry mouth is one of the hallmark symptoms). Here’s what’s really happening—and what you can do about it. What’s Really Going OnDry mouth is a symptom, not a …
Why I Take Turmeric Every Day - Ask the Dentist
When I first started seeing patients in Silicon Valley, I noticed something odd. Many of my South Asian patients had mild yellow-orange staining, often along the gumline or on the surface of molars on their teeth. When I asked about their diets, turmeric came up again and again. I reassured them the stains weren’t a …
The One Supplement I’ll Never Skip + My Must-Haves This Week - Ask the Dentist
I’m always testing new ways to optimize my health, but some habits become non-negotiables—things I’d never skip. This week, I’m sharing a few that have made a real difference in my brain health, longevity, and energy. Before we begin, let’s kick things off with a quick quiz: Q: What small oral health tool may reduce …
Skip the rinse, save your heart - Ask the Dentist
This issue is sponsored by Fatty15 – the first pure C15:0 fatty acid supplement, clinically shown to support cell health, longevity, and metabolic function. Learn why NASA scientists take Fatty15 and see the clinical research. Eight years ago, I told you something that made a lot of people raise their eyebrows: The mouthwash sitting on your …
22 small changes to protect your mouth in perimenopause - Ask the Dentist
I’d like to try something different—inspired by my friend Cory Rodriguez’s health newsletter, I’ll share one Q&A at the beginning of each newsletter—scroll to the bottom for the answer! Q: What’s one change in your mouth that can warn of sleep apnea before you ever snore? In the last newsletter, we looked at how declining …
My daughters are nearing perimenopause. Here’s what I want them to know. - Ask the Dentist
A new study explains something most people—doctors included—are missing: when estrogen declines, your gums become more vulnerable to inflammation, tissue loss, and disease. If you’re already seeing early signs—bleeding, bad breath, gum recession—it’s not just a dental issue. It’s a whole body one. As my own three adult daughters inch closer to perimenopause, I’m writing this newsletter …
My diet secret isn’t what you think... - Ask the Dentist
Most people think cravings are about willpower. But what if they’re really about missing minerals? I’ll link my favorite minerals as well, at the bottom… In this newsletter, I’ll walk you through why saliva is more than just spit, why electrolytes are the unsung heroes of oral health, and how protein and minerals can help …
Instagram’s wrong about this one... - Ask the Dentist
In the U.S., fluoride is considered the gold standard—despite known risks of thyroid disruption, IQ reduction at high doses, and accumulation in the body. Meanwhile, nano-hydroxyapatite—which doesn’t absorb into the bloodstream—has been used in Japan and Europe for decades. And still, most Americans have never heard of it… It’s called nano-hydroxyapatite. And for a lot …
I couldn't talk about this breath mint until now... - Ask the Dentist
I’ve been dying to share this one with you… For the past year, I’ve kept a pack of these mints in my pocket, toiletry bag, and carry-on. But I couldn’t talk about it—until now. It looks like a breath mint. But it’s way more than that. This is a functional mint—engineered to work with your …
What I wish more people knew about green tea and your mouth - Ask the Dentist
What if the most powerful, microbiome-friendly mouthwash wasn’t in a plastic bottle—but in your teacup? I used to drink green tea for the antioxidants and a gentle caffeine boost. But I never considered what it might be doing before I swallowed it. Then I started digging into the oral microbiome research, which is where I …
The one thing I always pack—even before my toothbrush - Ask the Dentist
Being on the road this week in LA visiting my two nephews and filming a podcast was the perfect reminder of how critical it is to stick to the fundamentals—especially when you’re away from your usual routine. So for this edition of Mark’s Must-Haves, I’m sharing my travel essentials—the things I never leave home without to support my oral …
I was trained to remove it. Now I help patients protect it. - Ask the Dentist
I used to think biofilm was the enemy. That’s what we were taught in dental school: Scrub harder. Rinse longer. Kill the “sugar bugs.” But that was wrong. If your biofilm is depleted, it’s not just your gums at risk. You’re operating without one of your body’s core immune barriers. This isn’t about dental health. …
Ends tonight: the two things I’ll never sleep without - Ask the Dentist
Most people think sleep apnea means an overweight man in his 60s. That stereotype nearly kept me and my entire family from getting diagnosed for decades. I was in my 30s, 40s, and 50s. Fit. Lean. Eating well. Still, I had undiagnosed sleep apnea. I wasn’t waking up tired, but I was more irritable than …
What I’m Buying on Prime Day - Ask the Dentist
It’s Prime Day. If you’re planning to stock up, and you’re curious what I’m stocking up on, here are the three things in my cart right now. These are products I use regularly, rely on, and always wait to buy when Prime Day discounts roll around. If you’re stocking up too, I’d love to hear what …
My July 4th Dinner Strategy (Sleep Hack Included) - Ask the Dentist
If you’re planning a July 4th cookout, here’s what I’ve got lined up… 1. My go-to burger (with hidden organ meats)I keep it simple: Mix by hand. Form a ball, then flatten. Add a slice of firm sheep cheese in the middle of the patty—not on top. Bison meat cooks slower than beef and can dry out if overcooked. …
Is your mouthwash blocking weight loss? - Ask the Dentist
Everyone’s talking about Ozempic. But almost no one is talking about this: You might already have your own version of it—and it might be breaking down because of something as simple as your mouthwash. In this newsletter, we’re unpacking how your mouth—not your stomach, not your weight, not your willpower—could be sabotaging the hormone that …
Low-fat advice didn’t just fail us—it hardened our arteries. - Ask the Dentist
Last week I mentioned something in passing that caught your attention: during my time in Iceland, I couldn’t help but notice how many people seemed to have broad, well-developed jaws—especially compared to what I often see in the U.S. In Iceland, dairy isn’t demonized. It’s celebrated—and it’s different from what we find in most U.S. …
Why I Got Fired My First Year as a Dentist - Ask the Dentist
It was the summer of 1982, and I wasn’t a dentist yet. I was a 20-something biochemistry and art history major at the University of British Columbia. I spotted a book on my mom’s bookshelf—Life Extension by Pearson and Shaw. I didn’t know it at the time, but that book would set me on the …
This country doesn’t fluoridate their water. Here’s what shocked me. - Ask the Dentist
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 …
The fertility factor no one talks about - Ask the Dentist
You might be tracking your cycle. You might be taking prenatals, getting your body ready, or even weighing fertility treatments. But here’s something almost no one—doctors included—talks about: Your mouth may be playing a role. If you’re trying to conceive (or thinking about it), you deserve to know what the science actually says about oral …
You’re probably missing this mineral - Ask the Dentist
Sometimes what’s missing isn’t a better toothbrush. It’s a mineral. I’ve seen too many patients who brush and floss and eat a “healthy” diet—and still get cavities. Still grind their teeth. Still clench their jaws so tightly at night that their facial muscles are sore in the morning. They wake up tired, wired, or both—despite doing …
10 weird things I do to keep my teeth cavity-free - Ask the Dentist
I’ve seen countless patients over the years who brushed and flossed religiously—twice a day, never missed a checkup—and still came in with new decay. That’s because brushing doesn’t fix dietary deficiencies, mouth breathing, a dry mouth, or disrupted oral flora. Cavities don’t just show up. They form slowly, as your oral environment shifts out of …
Dear pediatricians: please stop doing these 4 things - Ask the Dentist
At the very first well-baby visit, a divide begins. Medical over here. Dental over there. But the mouth isn’t separate from the body. And that early separation is why so many kids fall through the cracks. Let’s talk about four places this split is doing harm to children—and what we can do instead. 1) Stop …
4 things you're doing "right" that still cause cavities - Ask the Dentist
A parent wrote me last week: “We brush. We floss. We’ve switched toothpaste. But my kid still keeps getting cavities. What are we missing?” I’ve heard that question hundreds of times. It’s always asked with the same mix of desperation and guilt. And it always leads to the same truth: Cavities don’t just come from …
One patient said it saved them. Another said it ruined them. - Ask the Dentist
A root canal saved one of my patients. Another told me it ruined their health. That contrast—so common, so extreme—is exactly why people feel stuck. If you’ve ever had a root canal and wondered whether it was a mistake, or you’re facing the decision and don’t know who to trust, this email is for you. …
Everything I use before 9am... (plus links) - Ask the Dentist
Everyone’s talking about morning routines—but most of them skip the mouth (of course). If you’ve ever wondered what I actually do before 9 a.m.—as a dentist who’s spent 40+ years thinking about the oral microbiome, who has a bit of gum recession, some dental work to maintain and look after, and a deep respect for …
Is xylitol bad for you? - Ask the Dentist
In today’s newsletter, we’re breaking down the study that claimed xylitol is bad for your heart, why the science doesn’t hold up, and what decades of real research say instead. And pregnant moms—don’t miss the tip at the end. It’s one of the most powerful (and easy) ways to protect your baby’s future oral health. …
6 things you'll always find in my bag... - Ask the Dentist
Ever heard of “EDC”? It stands for Every Day Carry—the handful of essentials you bring with you wherever you go. I’m often on the road—whether driving between Napa and San Francisco to take care of my grandkids, going mountain biking with Roseann, or headed to the airport to visit one of our three daughters, I rely on …
The oldest organ in your mouth isn’t what you think - Ask the Dentist
3.5 billion years of evolution gave you a built-in shield against cavities and gum disease. Here’s why it no longer works. Biofilms are often referred to as the “skin” of the tooth, a simple and ubiquitous layer that adheres to hard surfaces like teeth. However, this description fails to capture the true essence of biofilms …
Your mouthwash is backfiring—try this 2-min trick instead - Ask the Dentist
Let’s be honest: most people don’t reach for mouthwash because it works. They use it because they like the feeling—the tingle, the swish, the illusion of cleanliness. But what if that “fresh” feeling is actually wrecking your oral microbiome? There’s a better way to feel “fresh”—one that actually supports your oral microbiome. What Is Oil …
🦷 Still drinking tea from the natural food store? - Ask the Dentist
In the 1990s and early 2000s, my family drank iced tea every day. We made it in large glass pitchers and kept it in the fridge. We always used the same brand, which we bought from our local natural food store. It tasted good on its own, so we never added sugar. I had no …
🦷 The two health problems I didn’t know were sabotaging me... - Ask the Dentist
Over the years, I’ve learned the hard way: Doing the right thing the wrong way can still hurt you. I almost made that mistake myself when I first started looking into magnesium supplementation. I grabbed the first “magnesium” bottle I found at my local co-op—without realizing it wasn’t even the form my body could use. …
🦷 You're not aging—you're upgrading (if you do this) - Ask the Dentist
When I was younger, longevity meant adding years. Today, it means adding life to those years. This month, I turned 66. And instead of slowing down, I’m doubling down—on my health, my energy, and my strength. My wife and I still ski. We mountain bike. We chase our grandkids around the house. I’m not trying to survive …
🦷 Your teeth aren’t yellow—they’re stained (and my must-haves for fixing it) - Ask the Dentist
Most people reach for whitening strips the minute their teeth start looking yellow. But here’s the mistake I see all the time—whitening doesn’t work on stains. And when you try to bleach away buildup, you end up with more sensitivity… and no real change. In today’s edition of “Mark’s Must-Haves” we’ll talk about what to …
🦷 How I Get a 93+ Sleep Score Every Night - Ask the Dentist
Back in dental school, my nickname was “Consumer Reports” because I was always the guy researching everything—car seats, stereos, you name it. That curiosity never faded. These days, my deep dives are focused on health, longevity, and—most importantly—sleep. Good sleep isn’t luck—it’s a strategy. Here’s what I’ve figured out over the years for this week’s …
🦷 The Whitening Mistake I Made on My Own Daughter - Ask the Dentist
Whitening your teeth seems simple, right? You buy the strips, apply the gel, or use some trendy LED kit, and boom—brighter teeth. But what if I told you that most people go about whitening all wrong? And worse, they end up damaging their enamel in ways they don’t realize until it’s too late. I know because I …
🦷 Most pediatricians miss this... - Ask the Dentist
Every day, parents trust pediatricians and pediatric dentists to guide their child’s health. They assume recommendations are solidly based on current science. But there’s a critical issue pediatricians routinely overlook: airway health. They don’t ask about sleep posture. They don’t check for mouth breathing. They rarely look under the tongue. They wait for a crisis—like behavioral …
🦷 Can you actually reverse a cavity? - Ask the Dentist
If you’ve ever wondered whether you can actually reverse a cavity, the answer is yes—sometimes… Reversing a cavity is not about brushing harder or even adding another dental appointment. It’s about supporting your body’s own defenses: saliva, the remineralization process, and your oral microbiome. Here’s what I do—and what I recommend to my patients, family, and friends. Consider …