Stop Ignoring Your Gums: The Shocking Link Between Dental Health and Your Entire Body

A Must-Listen Episode of Life Shouldn't Hurt

Ready to BITE into better health?

If you think oral care is just about having a sparkling, Instagram-ready smile, think again. Imagine waking up in so much excruciating pain that you genuinely fear you're having a stroke. That’s the intense, real-life story shared by Grant Fedoruk that kicks off this crucial episode of Life Shouldn’t Hurt.

Joined by my co-host Anita Cassidy and functional dentistry expert Dr. Mandeep Johal, Grant gets into a topic often overlooked but absolutely essential to overall wellness: dental health.

This is more than just a conversation about cavities—it’s an urgent call to action. We explore why neglecting your teeth can be catastrophic to your systemic health, and what steps you can take today to ensure that life truly doesn’t hurt, not even when it comes to your teeth.

The Whole-Body Approach: Why Your Dentist Needs to Look Beyond the Tooth

Dr. Mandeep Johal, a leading functional dentist, explains that oral health is deeply connected to your physical and mental well-being. Functional dentistry takes a “whole body approach.” Rather than just fixing a problem, Dr. Johal seeks the root cause, considering factors like stress and gut health.

The Systemic Secrets Your Mouth Holds:

• Heart and Brain: Gum disease is a systemic issue. Studies have shown that bacteria typically found in the mouth are also found in the brain, linking oral hygiene to conditions like Alzheimer’s.
• Fertility and Pregnancy: Oral health is so crucial that in some regions, patients are required to get dental clearance before undergoing major surgeries (like hip or knee replacements) or even IVF treatment. Gum disease has been linked to pre-term birth, and oral bacteria have been found in the uterus.
• Immunity: Your dental health directly impacts your immune system. Ongoing infections in the body are sometimes traced back to an infected tooth that wasn’t caught.

Dr. Johal emphasizes that bleeding gums are not normal. In fact, seven out of ten Canadians spit blood into the sink and ignore it. But your gums should bleed as much as your eyeballs do—meaning, not at all. If your gums bleed, it’s time to ask your dentist why. It may even warrant a visit to your family doctor to look for underlying issues.

Beyond Brushing: Jaw Pain, Breathing, and the Airway Connection

This episode goes far beyond routine cleaning, tackling issues familiar to many listeners:

• Bruxism and Root Canals: Grant shares his own experience with grinding his teeth (bruxism), which led to enamel loss and a triple root canal. The pain was so severe he feared he was having a stroke. Though prescribed a mouthguard, he struggles to wear it due to a gag reflex.
• TMD and Headaches: As physiotherapists, the hosts regularly treat jaw pain, particularly Temporalmandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMD). Symptoms can include difficulty opening the mouth beyond 30 mm or jaw locking. They stress that jaw treatment must include the neck, especially the suboccipital muscles.
• Sleep Apnea and Airway: Dr. Johal specializes in airway orthodontics. She explains that adult sleep apnea is often the “fire” that results from “smoke signals” missed in childhood—like open-mouth breathing or frequent allergies. Her practice uses myofunctional therapy (tongue training) to help patients of all ages improve breathing and jaw development.

Actionable Tips for a Healthier Mouth and Body

Looking to improve your oral hygiene today? Grant and Dr. Johal offer practical, eye-opening advice: 

https://leadingedgephysio.com/blog/holistic-dental-health-with-dr-mandeep-johal/