Oral Health and Heart Disease: How Your Mouth Could Prevent Heart Attacks and Strokes

What if the secret to preventing heart attacks and strokes was hiding in your mouth? In this eye-opening episode, Dr. Debbie Ozment, DDS, delves into an enlightening conversation with Dr. Tom Larkin, a dentist who challenges conventional thinking and links oral health to life-threatening conditions like heart attacks and strokes. Dr. Larkin takes us through his unique transition from traditional dentistry to a more holistic approach, emphasizing anti-infective periodontal therapy and the importance of the oral microbiome in overall health. He also introduces the groundbreaking Bale/Doneen method, which combines dental and medical practices to prevent cardiovascular diseases, highlighting dentists' crucial role in this preventative care. During the conversation, Dr. Larkin shares his "test, teach, treat, repeat" protocol for optimizing the oral microbiome. He also discusses the challenges of persuading other dentists to embrace this holistic shift and the increasing role of continuous glucose monitoring in patient care. Dr. Larkin reveals how rewarding proactive health management, like reduced insurance premiums, could incentivize better care. As they explore the latest advancements in oral health and its systemic implications, Dr. Larkin provides practical insights for patients and healthcare professionals on preventing chronic conditions and enhancing overall well-being.