CW Vol 2 Ed. 38 - The Surprising Dental Connection to Mental Health
Feeling Anxious, Tired, or Foggy? Your Dental Health Could Be the Missing Link. This final issue in our dental and airway health series looks at the most powerful connection of all: how your mouth and airway impact your mental health, memory, and long-term brain function. Experts like Dr. Mark Burhenne warn that poor airway health and gum disease don’t just cause cavities or snoring — they ripple into your heart, mood, and even your risk for dementia and Alzheimer’s.
🧠 How Dental & Airway Health Impact Mental Wellbeing
ADHD-like symptoms, depression, and mood instability are strongly linked to sleep-disordered breathing and poor nighttime airway health.
Anxiety, irritability, and fatigue often stem from mouth breathing at night, which disrupts deep, restorative sleep.
Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease risk rises when gum disease fuels systemic inflammation that spreads from the mouth to the brain.
Cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure are linked to both gum disease and disrupted nitric oxide pathways in the mouth, showing how oral health impacts the heart as well as the brain.
“The oral microbiome is our key to longevity and a better life for those last decades in life — and it’s so simple to do.”
—Dr. Mark Burhenne, Ask the Dentist
🔎 Signs Your Mouth May Be Affecting Your Mind
You may recognize some of these from earlier newsletters — and that’s the point. These patterns keep showing up because they connect airway health, dental health, and now mental health:
Snoring or sleeping with your mouth open
Morning brain fog or headaches
Restless sleep despite “enough” hours in bed
Bleeding gums, frequent cavities, or chronic bad breath
Feeling anxious, scattered, or unusually fatigued
👅 Proper Tongue Resting Position: A Simple Fix With Big Benefits
One of the easiest ways to improve your airway health starts with where your tongue rests.
When your tongue rests low in the mouth, it can narrow the airway, encourage mouth breathing, and disrupt sleep. But when it rests in the right place, it naturally supports nasal breathing and helps keep the airway open.
How to Find It:
Say the word “no” slowly, and notice where your tongue touches the roof of your mouth when you pronounce the “N.” That spot — just behind your front teeth on the palate — is where your tongue should rest, gently pressing upward.
Why It Matters:
Keeps the airway more open during rest and sleep
Supports nasal breathing over mouth breathing
Encourages healthy jaw and facial development in children
Promotes better sleep, energy, and focus in adults
Need Extra Help?
Sometimes the answer to fatigue, brain fog, or low mood isn’t counseling or medication — but a myofunctional therapist. These specialists use targeted exercises to retrain the tongue and facial muscles, supporting healthy breathing, sleep, and focus.
✅ Everyday Actions to Support Mental Clarity
Breathe through your nose — day and night.
Protect your oral microbiome — avoid harsh mouthwashes and foaming toothpastes that kill good bacteria.
Scrape your tongue — supports nitric oxide, a key molecule for circulation, mood, and brain function.
Care for gums daily — flossing and dental cleanings reduce whole-body inflammation.
Improve sleep hygiene — cool bedroom, open a window, and set a consistent bedtime.
Seek professional care — myofunctional therapists, airway-trained dentists and ENTs can identify and address root causes.
It is NEVER too late to make changes to your breathing and tongue posture through myofunctional therapy!
Learn More
Listen to this podcast hosted by Dr. Mark Berhenne which explains myofunctional therapy here on Spotify.
Or watch on YouTube here.
Follow Dr. Mark Berhenne on IG @askthedentist or click here.
Listen to Sarah Hornsby explain what myofunctional therapy is here:
View this newsletter here.
9/17/2025
CW Vol 2. Ed. 7 - Toxic Touch: The Hidden Dangers of Receipts!
The Sneaky Danger of Register Receipts! Research shows that BPA can be absorbed within seconds through the skin, making it nearly impossible to avoid exposure without precautions.
And here’s a fact that might surprise you—the average person unknowingly consumes about 5 grams of plastic every week, equivalent to eating a credit card! If we aren’t careful, everyday interactions with plastics, including thermal receipts, could have long-term consequences for our health.
What’s the Risk? Many receipts are coated with BPA or BPS—chemicals used to develop the printed text but known for their harmful effects on human health. These endocrine disruptors can interfere with the body's hormonal system, leading to serious health consequences, including:
Hormonal imbalances – BPA and BPS mimic estrogen in the body, disrupting natural hormone levels, which can affect everything from mood to metabolism.
Increased risk of certain cancers – Long-term exposure to these chemicals has been linked to higher risks of breast and prostate cancers.
Reproductive health concerns – Studies show that BPA exposure can reduce fertility in both men and women, affecting egg quality, sperm count, and overall reproductive function.
Metabolic issues and obesity – BPA has been connected to insulin resistance, leading to a higher risk of Type 2 diabetes and obesity.
Neurological effects – There is growing evidence that exposure to BPA may be associated with developmental and behavioral problems, particularly in children and infants.
Cardiovascular problems – Some research suggests BPA exposure may increase blood pressure and the risk of heart disease.
How to Dodge the Risk: Here’s how to keep those sneaky chemicals at bay -
Go digital: Whenever possible, say “No thanks” to paper and opt for e-receipts.
Wash those hands: If you do handle receipts, wash up before eating or touching your face.
Use barriers: Sorting receipts often? Consider gloves or tongs—yes, tongs!
Store wisely: Keep receipts in a separate bag or envelope, not directly in your wallet or pockets. Spread the word: Share this information with your family and friends.
Wash Your Hands - Especially Before Handling Food and Eating!
Even brief handling of receipts can allow these chemicals to be absorbed through the skin, especially if your hands are wet or oily. Over time, this buildup of microplastics and harmful chemicals can have lasting consequences on our bodies.
Given the frequent touching of industrial chemicals in our industry, it’s always a good practice to wash your hands before eating or handling food—not just after handling receipts. Being mindful of what you put into your body is one of the simplest ways to protect your health, and clean hands are an easy first step.
Click here to read the Newsletter!
2/12/2025