Welcome to the Dental DDx podcast, where we talk about all-things-dentistry.
Season 1
Episode 1: The Dental Fluoride Balancing Act
Fluoride transformed global oral health by drastically reducing cavities—but its success depends on balance. This episode explores how public health policies evolved to maximize fluoride’s protective benefits while minimizing the risk of dental fluorosis, from early water fluoridation to today’s refined guidelines for safe exposure.
Episode 2: Bruxism: Teeth Grinding, Jaw Clenching, and the Brain
The conventional wisdom surrounding dental bruxism—from its causes to its telltale signs—is being challenged by a deeper understanding of its origins. This podcasts dives deep into counter-intuitive truths about this common condition, changing the way you think about what happens when your jaw clenches and your teeth grind.
Episode 3: Pregnancy and Oral Health
In this episode, we break down the biggest myths about dental care during pregnancy and uncover what the science really says.
You’ll learn why the old belief of “losing a tooth for every baby” isn’t true, why visiting the dentist is not only safe but recommended by the ADA and ACOG, and how conditions like pregnancy gingivitis and “pregnancy tumors” actually work. We also explore the powerful connection between a mother’s oral health and her baby’s future risk of cavities.
If you're expecting—or know someone who is—this episode clarifies what’s fact, what’s fiction, and why taking care of your smile is truly caring for two.
Episode 4: Regular vs Deep Cleanings: What’s Really Living Under Your Gums
Most people think a dental cleaning is just removing hardened plaque. But below the gumline, it’s something very different.
What we call “tartar” isn’t dead buildup—it’s a porous structure that can house living, active bacteria, constantly fueling inflammation. Some of these bacteria don’t just sit on the tooth surface; research shows they can penetrate into the root itself, creating hidden reservoirs that make reinfection possible.
This is why a deep cleaning isn’t cosmetic—and why it’s rarely a one-time fix. Periodontal treatment is a precise, targeted therapy designed to manage a chronic bacterial process, not simply “scrape harder.” And in healthy gums, aggressive treatment can actually do harm.
Understanding the biology beneath the surface changes how we think about cleanings—from a polish to a scientific intervention.
What questions would you ask your dentist if you knew the real battle was happening below the gumline?