In this episode of Longevity Roadmap, Dr. Buck Joffrey speaks with Dr. Ellie Phillips, DDS, a pioneer in preventive dentistry and author of Kiss Your Dentist Goodbye. Dr. Phillips explains how oral health is deeply connected to systemic health, influencing conditions such as Alzheimer’s, cardiovascular disease, and adverse pregnancy outcomes. She also introduces her Complete Mouth Care System and highlights the role of saliva and xylitol in supporting long-term health.

Key Points:

This episode highlights how dental health is more than cosmetic—it’s a cornerstone of longevity and disease prevention. By nurturing the oral microbiome with simple practices like xylitol use, mindful brushing, and saliva protection, people can dramatically lower their risk of systemic disease.

• Oral-Systemic Connection: Oral pathogens don’t just cause cavities and gum disease—they can enter the bloodstream, fueling systemic inflammation and contributing to chronic illnesses like heart disease, Alzheimer’s, arthritis, and pregnancy complications.
• Generational Transfer of Oral Bacteria: Mothers with gum disease or high plaque levels can pass harmful bacteria to their infants, shaping the child’s oral microbiome and long-term health risks.
• Xylitol as a Preventive Tool: Xylitol, a natural sugar alcohol from birch trees, disrupts harmful plaque bacteria while feeding beneficial microbes. It also stimulates saliva flow, supporting enamel repair and gum health.
• Saliva as the Body’s Healing Agent: Saliva is crucial for remineralizing teeth, strengthening enamel, and supporting nitric oxide production (important for blood pressure and cognitive function). Practices like “mouth resting” after meals enhance these natural healing effects.
• The Dangers of Gum Pockets: Untreated plaque can lead to gum inflammation, bleeding, and deep pockets where dangerous bacteria thrive unseen. These pathogens can then spread to other organs, increasing systemic disease risks.
• The Complete Mouth Care System: Dr. Phillips’ protocol combines specific rinses, toothpaste, manual brushing, and xylitol use to maintain a protective oral biofilm and reduce harmful bacterial overgrowth. She stresses it’s not about expensive products but about daily habits that let the body heal itself.