Optimizing Oral Health Alignment with Dr. Staci Whitman

Conversations for Health

Doctor Staci Whitman is a Functional Kids’ Dentist in North Portland, Oregon. She is the founder of NoPo Kids Dentistry where she takes a whole-body, holistic, and functional approach with her patients. Doctor Staci attended Tufts University School of Dental Medicine and worked as a general dentist for 2 years before earning a certificate in pediatric dentistry from Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU). She has always been passionate about children’s sleep and airway health, focusing her research in residency on how to improve airway assessments and diagnostic tools in the pediatric population. In 2019, she founded NoPo Kids Dentistry with a mission to practice a whole-body approach to dentistry. She became a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry in 2012 and is a Board-Certified Pediatric Dentist and a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. She is also involved in many organized dentistry groups, including the Holistic Dental Association, the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology, the International Academy of Biological Dentistry and Medicine, and the American Association of Ozonotherapy.

Together Dr. Staci and I look into the importance of oral health from a holistic approach. Starting in the womb with prenatal care, through childhood, and into adult years, she has insights into every stage of optimal oral health. She shares the key dental health points and patient support that traditional pediatric dentists tend to overlook, including airway assessment tests and the local and systemic roles of the oral microbiome. Dr. Staci highlights considerations for tongue tie correction and palate expanders for adults, the dangers of and alternatives to fluoride, and her recommendations for effective oil pulling, tongue scraping, and mouth washing, all to optimize oral health alignment at every age.

I’m your host, Evelyne Lambrecht, thank you for designing a well world with us.

Episode Resources:

Dr. Staci Whitman

NoPo Kids

Designs for Health

Nutrition Blog: Hydroxyapatite for Dental Enamel and Tooth Integrity

Nutrition Blog: The Potential Role of Oil Pulling in Oral Wellness

Nutrition Blog: The Latest on Probiotics and Periodontal Health

Research Blog: The Synergy of Vitamins D and K on Bone Health

Science Update: Recent Review Explores Potential Connection Between Oral Microbiome and The Immune System

Educational Webinar: The Oral-Somatic Connection- Impact on Systemic Inflammation

Visit the Designs for Health Research and Education Library which houses medical journals, protocols, webinars, and our blog.

Chapters:

00:00 Intro.

02:22 The realization that led Dr. Staci to change her course after beginning her career as a regular dentist.

06:07 The highlights of Dr. Staci’s work as a functional kid’s dentist.

07:47 Key dental health points and patient support that Dr. Staci offers that traditional pediatric dentists tend to overlook.

11:27 Under-mineralized teeth and microplastics findings according to the research.

16:46 Findings from Dr. Staci’s airway assessment and recommendations for patients to overcome airway devolution.

23:21 Considerations for tongue tie correction and palate expanders for adults.

27:22 Insights into the local and systemic roles of the oral microbiome.

31:18 Testing that assesses the 700+ microbes in the mouth.

32:55 Dietary and hygiene recommendations for optimizing oral microbiome health.

37:06 Success stories of switching from fluoride to hydroxyapatite and systemic concerns of overexposure to fluoride.

43:15 Recommendations for effective oil pulling, tongue scraping, and mouth washing.

51:38 Dr. Staci’s favorite supplements, her personal health practices including sleep hygiene and hydration, and the shift she has made toward prioritizing emotional health.