The Podcast

Straight to the Mouth

Welcome to the podcast that puts the mouth on the map to health and makes lifestyle matter. Here I will be having conversations with the real experts, engaging you in your health journey and making your mouth matter. 

Episode 1: Why Mouths Matter, its Microbiome and the Missing Link to Health | Prof Iain Chapple

The mouth is integral to health, yet often overlooked and not well understood. In this episode, I am delighted to talk to Professor Iain Chapple MBE, professor of periodontology, to explore the mouth as an organ and why it is critical when it comes to full body health. 

We discuss:

• the condition of periodontitis and how it impacts the rest of our body.
• the breakdown of what inflammation is the difference between acute and chronic inflammation.
• the hierarchy of evidence and understanding its value.
• how the oral microbiome impacts the gut microbiome.
• the role of periodontal pathogens in Alzheimer’s Disease.
• how oxidative stress is implicated in chronic inflammatory disease and the impact of diet on your risk of developing these diseases.
• Iain’s secrets to supporting your oral and systemic health.

I hope you enjoy this conversation.

Episode 2: The Science of the Breath and the Airway; the secret to sleep, wellbeing and long term health

The breath and airway health are often taken for granted, but have you ever considered how you breathe may impact your mouth and the rest of your body? In this episode, I am delighted to be joined by Dr Aoife Stack, general dentist and myofunctional therapist, to unpack the science behind the breath and airway health, to understand more about it as a tool to support not just our mouths, but also our sleep, wellbeing and long term health.

We discuss:

• the importance of the breath and airway health
• the differences between mouth breathing and nasal breathing
• the importance of nasal breathing in its stimulation of nitric oxide and it’s impact on the wider body
• how the shape of our mouths can impact breathing
• how we can harness the breath as a tool for stress management and to improve our airway health
• what is sleep-disordered breathing and what signs should we be aware of
• if mouth-taping is a good idea.

I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did.