12/05/2026
I’ve always felt very blessed with my dental health.
Growing up, I never really had issues - so much so that as a child/teen, my dentist would call in colleagues to show them that it’s possible to have good teeth! Maybe, this led me to take it for granted for a while.
And now, at 50, I’ve had my first cavity that needed treatment.
Not a big one… but enough to require intervention.
And I have to say, this gave me a whole new level of compassion for those who have experienced pain and discomfort with dental procedures.
It made me pause. Because our dental health is not separate from the rest of our body, it’s deeply connected.
As pioneer holistic dentist Dr. Victor Zeines often reminds us:
“Healthy mouth, healthy body.”
The mouth is the beginning of the digestive system.
What happens there doesn’t stay there.
The state of our teeth and gums reflects:
• our mineral status
• our microbiome balance
• our digestion
• even our stress levels
From a functional perspective, and emphasised by another pioneer in holistic dentistry, Dr. Daniel Vinograd, oral health is part of a larger ecosystem.
The bacteria in our mouth communicate with the gut, and imbalances can influence inflammation, immunity, and overall wellbeing.
For me, this experience was, once again, a reminder.
To closely listen to my body.
To stay curious.
To support my body at the root.
To not take anything for granted.
And also to remember:
Even when we do ‘everything right’, life is dynamic. The body changes, adapts, and sometimes asks for a little extra support, like prioritising regular, deeper dental care, not just once a year.
Health is not perfection.
It’s relationship.
Have you ever noticed a connection between your oral health and how you feel in your body overall?
