Watch Your Mouth

Your Mouth is Mining Disease Pools: How Modern Dentistry Destroyed Your Oral Microbiome (And What Ancient Wisdom Can Teach Us)

TL;DR

• The Oral-Gut Axis Revelation: Your mouth isn't isolated—it's the gateway to your gut, and oral dysbiosis directly seeds gut inflammation, leaky gut, and systemic disease through the oral-gut axis

• The Fluoride Double-Cross: While fluoride forms fluorapatite on teeth, it simultaneously acts as an antimicrobial agent destroying beneficial gut flora, with links to thyroid dysfunction and neurodevelopmental concerns

• Mint's Non-Selective Strike: A 2024 study proved mint essential oils kill commensal bacteria along with pathogens, disrupting oral homeostasis—which is why Revitin avoids them entirely

• Plastic Brushes = Microplastic Injection: Over 1 billion plastic toothbrushes get trashed annually in the US alone, but worse—their bristles leach estrogenic microplastics directly through your gums into your bloodstream

• The Miswak Renaissance: This 7,000-year-old teeth-cleaning twig from the Salvadora persica tree contains natural antibacterials, anti-inflammatories, and silica—a 2024 RCT confirmed its plaque-control effectiveness

• Hydroxyapatite's Particle Paradox: Nano-hydroxyapatite (20-100nm) penetrates enamel micro-pores for true biomimetic remineralization and proved non-inferior to fluoride in preventing caries

• The Xylitol Prebiotic Strategy: Birch-derived xylitol creates a "futile energy cycle" in cavity-causing bacteria, reducing plaque by 20% and shifting oral microbiome favorably (2022 Frontiers in Nutrition study)—5-6g daily in divided doses provides long-term protection

• Mastic Gum's Dual Power: This ancient Greek tree resin provides jaw-strengthening resistance training for facial structure while delivering bioactive compounds that kill H. pylori (including antibiotic-resistant strains) and reduce Crohn's disease inflammation by 40%+

• The Weston Price Discovery: Isolated populations on traditional diets had perfect dental arches and zero cavities—modern dental degeneration isn't genetic, it's civilizational

• Verification Protocol: Functional labs reveal your gut microbiome composition (providing insights into oral health via the oral-gut axis), mineral deficiencies, and inflammatory status—stop guessing, start measuring

Welcome back to the rabbit hole.

You've already taken custody of your wealth. You understand that banks can't be trusted to store value when they're incentivized to debase it. You've done the proof of work to secure your financial future.

But here's the uncomfortable truth: while you've been stacking sats and securing your economic freedom, your mouth has been hemorrhaging value at the biological level.

Every time you brush with fluoride toothpaste and rinse with antiseptic mouthwash, you're not protecting your oral health. You're systematically nuking the microbiome that guards against systemic disease. You're destroying beneficial bacteria. You're disrupting the oral-gut axis. And you're doing it because the same kinds of captured institutions that lied about money have been lying about your mouth for decades.

The Oral-Gut Axis: A Primary Line of Defense

Let's start with something most dentists will never explain: your mouth isn't an isolated battlefield that needs sterilization. It's the beginning of your digestive tract and intimately connected to your gut via what functional practitioners call the oral-gut axis.

The modern paradigm treats your mouth like it needs to be a sterile environment. Kill the germs. Fluoride everything. Plastic brushes. Minty freshness. But this is fundamentally flawed thinking.

Your oral microbiome is a complex ecosystem that, when balanced, acts as a primary line of defense for overall immune function. Dysbiosis—microbial imbalance—in your mouth doesn't stay in your mouth. Pathogenic (bad) bacteria travel down your GI tract, contributing to gut inflammation, leaky gut, and systemic issues ranging from brain fog to autoimmune conditions.

Biologic dentists understand this as the "sialo-microbial-dental complex." The balance of bacteria is critical, not their annihilation.

As health optimizer @yoursimmo on X puts it:

"Poor oral biome is linked to: Heart disease, erectile dysfunction, low testosterone, brain fog, chronic inflammation, autoimmune issues. Yet nobody talks about this connection."

This is why nuking everything in your mouth with harsh antiseptics is a flawed strategy. And why the tools and products you use matter more than you've been told.

The Multi-Trillion Dollar Dental Deception

The dental-industrial complex has been running the same playbook as Big Pharma: create dependency, not health. Treat symptoms, not causes. Build recurring revenue streams from managed decline.

Let's break down the major problems with conventional oral care.

Problem #1: The Plastic Brush Scourge

Over 1 billion plastic toothbrushes are thrown away annually in the United States alone. That's an environmental disaster, but it's not even the worst part.

The health impact is what should concern you. Every time you brush with plastic bristles—especially if your gums are inflamed (which they probably are if you're using fluoride and commercial mouthwash)—you're introducing microplastics directly into your bloodstream.

These plastics are estrogenic. They disrupt hormones. They accumulate in tissues. And you're doing it twice daily for your entire life.

But what about "natural" bamboo brushes? Here's what they won't tell you: even bamboo brushes usually have bristles made from nylon-4 or nylon-6, which are petroleum-based plastics. The bamboo handles themselves are often treated with chemical sealants and antimicrobial agents like methylisothiazolinone (MIT) to prevent mold—problematic for anyone with chemical sensitivities.

The goal here is reducing your total toxic load. And that includes exposure from personal care tools.

Problem #2: The Fluoride Double-Cross

Here's the standard claim: fluoride strengthens enamel by forming fluorapatite, a more acid-resistant compound than natural hydroxyapatite.

But here's what they leave out: the functional downsides are devastating.

Research indicates fluoride acts as an antimicrobial agent. That sounds good until you realize it's destroying not just pathogenic bacteria but also your beneficial gut flora. This disruption cascades into systemic problems—thyroid issues, dental fluorosis, and neurodevelopmental concerns.

A 2023 study by Paszynska et al. published in Frontiers in Public Health focuses on proving hydroxyapatite as an effective alternative to fluoride toothpaste. While the study's primary aim is demonstrating hydroxyapatite's efficacy, it acknowledges the concerns driving the search for alternatives: "Fluoride can cause dental fluorosis and other side effects... As a consequence, the concentration of fluoride in toothpastes is limited." The very existence of such research signals the dental community's recognition that safer alternatives warrant investigation.

What does that tell you? There are bioidentical alternatives that work just as well without the collateral damage.

Problem #3: Mint's Non-Selective Strike on Your Microbiome

Here's something that shocked even functional health practitioners: those "refreshing" mint toothpastes and mints you use? They're ecological disasters for your oral microbiome.

The strong antimicrobial properties of mint and other essential oils (peppermint, spearmint, tea tree) are non-selective killers. They don't discriminate between pathogenic and beneficial bacteria.

A 2024 study (PMC11356387) tested a blend of mint oils and found it significantly reduced both pathogenic AND commensal oral bacteria. The researchers concluded that "essential oils should be used with care" as they "may disrupt oral homeostasis."

This is exactly why products like Revitin toothpaste were formulated to avoid essential oils entirely, instead using prebiotics to support beneficial bacteria while controlling pathogens through ecological competition rather than chemical warfare. I used this prohibitively expensive toothpaste for a while but stay tuned for my new fave.

Christian Van Camp @cvcwellness on X breaks it down:

"Forget the mouthwash—it kills beneficial bacteria & disrupts symbiosis."

Your mouth isn't supposed to be sterile. It's supposed to be balanced.

Ancient Wisdom & Gentle Alternatives

While modern dentistry was busy creating problems, traditional cultures had already solved oral health thousands of years ago. Let's examine what they got right.

The Original Toothbrush: Miswak

Before plastic, before nylon, before even bamboo, humans used something far more sophisticated: the miswak (also called siwak), a teeth-cleaning twig made from the Salvadora persica tree, known as the Arak tree.

This isn't primitive technology—it's advanced natural medicine.

Dr. Mike Mew, BDS, MSc is a British orthodontist and the son of Professor John Mew, who pioneered orthotropics—a philosophy emphasizing the role of oral posture and environmental factors in facial development. Mike Mew has become internationally known for popularizing "mewing," a technique involving proper tongue posture to promote optimal craniofacial growth. His research and clinical work challenge conventional orthodontic approaches that rely primarily on braces and extractions.

Dr. Mew's research into ancestral dental practices confirmed what functional practitioners suspected: "When the pilgrims first set foot on American soil, they were taken aback by the natives' healthy teeth and innovative oral hygiene. They utilised chewing sticks, a simple yet effective tool that's been traced back to the ancient Egyptians, some 7000 years ago."

The miswak's use is deeply embedded in Islamic tradition (Sunnah) and remains widespread across the Middle East, North Africa, the Horn of Africa, and South Asia. It has also been documented in ancient Babylonia, Greece, and India.

The Science Behind the Stick

Modern research has validated what these cultures knew empirically. Studies show miswak contains:

• Natural antibacterials like benzyl isothiocyanate
• Anti-inflammatory compounds
• Silica for gentle abrasive action
• Minerals including calcium and natural fluoride (not the synthetically manufactured type found in toothpaste and dental treatments, or worse, the industrial byproduct placed in municipal water supplies)

A 2024 randomized controlled trial (PMC11545077) found miswak was effective at controlling plaque. The only caveat? Improper aggressive use could irritate gums—but with proper technique, it's a proven, effective, and zero-waste oral tool.

The World Health Organization recommends its use... for whatever that's worth to you.

Even more impressive: a 2014 study compared chewing sticks to modern toothbrushes and concluded that miswak, particularly from the Neem tree, was potentially superior in several aspects—plaque reduction and gingival health—primarily due to its antimicrobial properties and chemical cleansing abilities, without using artificial chemicals.

Oil Pulling: Mechanical Cleansing Without Ecological Destruction

Oil pulling is an Ayurvedic practice that uses the mechanical cleansing action and bioactive properties of oils to reduce pathogens gently, without disrupting the microbiome.

The mechanism is elegant: oils like coconut oil contain lauric acid, which is antibacterial and antifungal. When you swish oil in your mouth for an extended period, it binds to bacteria and toxins, pulling them out of biofilms and off tooth surfaces. Then you spit it out, removing harmful elements while leaving beneficial bacteria intact.

A 2016 study published in the Nigerian Medical Journal on oil pulling with coconut oil found it significantly reduced plaque and gingivitis scores. Even more impressive: it was as effective as chlorhexidine mouthwash against Streptococcus mutans (the primary cavity-causing bacteria) but without the microbiome destruction.

Coconut oil isn’t actually a smart bomb but it is a "precision" tool. Lauric acid, works by physically breaking down the fatty cell walls of microbes. Pathogenic bacteria like S. mutans have exposed lipid membranes that are highly vulnerable to this action. Many beneficial bacteria are either structurally more protected (like Gram-negative commensals) or seem to have a natural resilience to it. This makes coconut oil a fantastic option for reducing pathogen load while preserving the essential balance of your oral ecosystem, unlike conventional mouthwashes that scorch the earth.

Here's the practical tip: 5-10 minutes daily is likely more beneficial than 20 minutes done sporadically. Consistency beats intensity.

Users consistently report:

• Eliminated morning breath
• Reversed gum recession
• Improved digestion
• Whiter teeth
• Reduced plaque

It's inexpensive, takes 10 minutes, and works with your body's natural systems rather than against them. Stick to Extra Virgin Organic forms to avoid GMO and other toxins.

Mineral Rinses: Magnesium Chloride & Baking Soda

Magnesium Chloride

Magnesium is a critical cofactor for hundreds of enzymatic processes, including those that build healthy bones and teeth. Yet most people are severely deficient.

A 2013 study published in Biological Trace Element Research suggested a potential link between magnesium deficiency and increased risk of periodontitis. Subsequent research confirms this association, showing that higher dietary magnesium intake is linked to a lower prevalence of periodontitis, while magnesium deficiency may increase its risk. 

The solution is simple: create a mineral rinse by adding a pinch of magnesium chloride flakes and high-quality salt to water. This provides topical minerals to support oral tissues without disrupting the microbiome.

As @aestheticprimal explains on X: "When you rinse your mouth with this solution, the magnesium ions will interact with the Enamel, increasing its 'microhardness', which results in not only healthier, but also whiter teeth."

Baking Soda (Sodium Bicarbonate)

Baking soda is a mild abrasive and effective stain remover. But its primary benefit is its alkalinity—it helps neutralize the acids produced by plaque bacteria that cause enamel erosion.

Although studied only as an additive to toothpastes, A 2019 review published in the International Journal of Dental Hygiene concluded that baking soda is an effective and safe ingredient for plaque removal and gingival health.

Critically: it's non-antimicrobial, making it perfect for mechanical cleaning and pH balancing without ecological disruption.

Mixed with coconut oil, it creates an effective, non-toxic tooth cleaning paste that works with your biology, not against it.

The Xylitol Advantage: A Prebiotic Strategy for Your Mouth

While we've discussed what to eliminate from your oral care routine, there's one powerful tool worth adding: xylitol—but not just any xylitol. You want birch-derived xylitol, not the corn-derived variety because of corn's cross-reactive nature with wheat and other grains our bodies find difficult to digest.

Xylitol stands apart from harsh antimicrobials because it acts as a prebiotic, selectively disadvantaging pathogenic bacteria while being harmless to beneficial species. Think of it as a smart weapon that starves the bad actors while leaving your oral ecosystem intact.

How It Works: The Futile Energy Cycle

Xylitol is a five-carbon sugar alcohol that pathogenic bacteria like Streptococcus mutans (the primary cavity-causing bacteria) actively import into their cells. But here's the brilliant part: they can't metabolize it efficiently.

This creates what researchers call a "futile energy cycle"—the bacteria exhaust their energy stores trying to process a compound they can't use. A 2014 review (PMC4232036) explains the mechanism: S. mutans transports xylitol and converts it to xylitol-5-phosphate, which is toxic to the cell, leading to "intracellular vacuoles and cell membrane degradation."

The bacteria literally waste themselves trying to eat something that poisons them from within. This inhibits their growth and acid production without killing them outright, reducing their ability to adhere to teeth and form plaque.

The Research is Compelling

Reduces Cavities: A 2017 systematic review and meta-analysis (PMC5320817) analyzed 16 clinical studies and concluded that xylitol is an effective self-applied caries prevention agent. The meta-analysis showed a significant reduction in decayed, missing, and filled teeth with a standard mean of -1.09 compared to controls.

Reduces Pathogenic Bacteria: The same review found that xylitol reduces levels of mutans streptococci in both plaque and saliva—the exact bacteria you want to control.

Shifts the Microbiome Favorably: A 2022 study published in Frontiers in Nutrition had participants chew xylitol gum for two weeks. Results showed a 20% reduction in dental plaque weight and a significant shift in the oral microbiome: decreased pathogenic bacteria associated with cavities (Firmicutes) and periodontitis (Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria), with an increase in bacteria (Fusobacteria) more common in healthy plaque.

Long-Term Protection: Research cited in the 2014 review indicates that the caries-preventive effect can be long-term, especially for teeth that erupt during xylitol use. One study noted benefits lasting up to five years after cessation of xylitol use, suggesting it creates a lasting shift in oral ecology.

Optimal Dosing & Delivery

The 2014 review states that optimal inhibition of S. mutans occurs with a total daily consumption of 5-6 grams, divided into three or more exposures per day.

Effective delivery methods include:

• Chewing gum (most studied, with added benefit of stimulating saliva)
• Mints or lozenges
• Crystalline sweetener added to water or tea
• As a sugar substitute in recipes

The key factors are frequency and dosage—multiple small exposures throughout the day are more effective than a single large dose.

My go-to for birch based xylitol: XyliChew (and "mints")NOT THE MINTY FLAVORS! Stick to the cinnamon or fruit variety.

Addressing the 2024 Cardiovascular Concern

Full transparency: a 2024 study raised concerns about xylitol being "prothrombotic" and linked to cardiovascular risk. However, a 2025 commentary in the European Heart Journal thoroughly challenged these findings:

• The study measured xylitol in fasting patients, which likely reflects the body's own endogenous production (from the pentose phosphate pathway) upregulated due to pre-existing metabolic disease—not dietary intake
• The intervention used a massive, unrealistic single dose of 30g (equivalent to chewing 30 pieces of gum at once), which causes GI distress and doesn't represent normal use
• The critics concluded that oral health benefits of xylitol at recommended doses (5-10g/day) in reducing pathogenic biofilms—which themselves are a cardiovascular risk factor—outweigh the unproven risks from this single flawed study

Xylitol as a Sweetener Alternative

Beyond oral health applications, xylitol serves as an excellent non-synthetic sugar alternative for those avoiding glucose spikes and its well-known connection to cavities. But again: choose birch-derived xylitol, not corn-derived. Corn-derived xylitol often comes from GMO corn and may contain residual processing chemicals.

Unlike fluoride and harsh mint oils that act as indiscriminate antimicrobials, xylitol offers a smarter, more targeted approach—a prebiotic for your mouth that starves bad bacteria while leaving the beneficial ones unharmed.

The Dual-Action Power of Mastic Gum: Ancient Resin for Jaw Strength and Gut Healing

Here's a two-for-one ancestral practice that delivers both oral and systemic benefits: mastic gum—and this isn't your gas station bubble gum.

Mastic gum is a resin from the Pistacia lentiscus tree native to the Greek island of Chios. It's one of the oldest and most well-researched natural health tools, used for thousands of years across Mediterranean cultures. Its mechanism of action operates on two levels: mechanical workout for your jaw and biochemical support for your microbiome.

The Mechanical Benefit: Building Facial Structure

Unlike soft, synthetic gum that loses resistance after a few chews, mastic gum is tough and resilient. It requires significant masticatory force, providing what amounts to resistance training for your masseter and temporalis muscles (the primary jaw muscles).

This isn't just about aesthetics—though a more defined jawline is a welcome side effect. This mechanical stimulation triggers bone remodeling in the mandible (jawbone), potentially increasing bone density and providing better structural support for teeth and facial architecture.

Sound familiar? This aligns perfectly with Weston Price's observations that ancestral populations consuming tough, fibrous foods developed proper craniofacial structure. We've eliminated this mechanical stimulus from modern soft-food diets, and our jaws and faces have suffered accordingly.

Research on masticatory resistance consistently shows that increased chewing force improves muscle mass and craniofacial development (Kiliaridis, S., et al., 1995, Masticatory muscle influence on craniofacial growth).

The Biochemical Benefit: Antibacterial Without Disruption

But mastic gum isn't just a jaw workout—it's pharmaceutical-grade oral medicine.

A 2003 double-blind study by Takahashi et al. published in the Journal of Periodontology found that subjects chewing mastic gum had significantly reduced plaque index and gingival index compared to placebo after just 7 days, even without other oral hygiene. The researchers concluded it's a "useful antiplaque agent."

A 2017 study by Koychev et al., also in the Journal of Periodontology, demonstrated that mastic extract showed effective antibacterial activity against a host of periodontal pathogens including P. gingivalis, A. actinomycetemcomitans, and F. nucleatum. Critically, it was less harmful to human cells than common antiseptics like chlorhexidine.

This is the smart targeting we've been talking about—controlling pathogens without ecological devastation.

The Gut Connection: Where Mastic Gum Really Shines

Here's where mastic gum demonstrates the power of the oral-gut axis in action.

When you chew mastic gum, you're not just exercising your jaw and cleaning your mouth—you're swallowing bioactive compounds (particularly triterpenic acids) that travel through your digestive system, where they exert powerful therapeutic effects.

Fighting H. pylori and Ulcers

Helicobacter pylori is a primary cause of peptic ulcers and a recognized risk factor for gastric cancer. Conventional treatment requires aggressive antibiotic protocols that often fail due to resistance.

A 2010 clinical trial by Dabos et al. published in Phytomedicine found that 1.05 grams of mastic gum per day for three weeks resulted in significant reduction of H. pylori activity, as measured by urea breath test.

Even more impressive: a 2001 study by Marone et al. in the Journal of Chemotherapy confirmed that mastic gum has direct bactericidal (killing) effects on H. pylori strains, including antibiotic-resistant strains.

Think about that. A tree resin you chew can kill bacteria that resist pharmaceutical antibiotics.

Reducing Gut Inflammation

A 2007 pilot clinical study by Kaliora et al. published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology tested mastic gum on patients with active Crohn's disease. Results showed that 2.8 grams per day for 4 weeks significantly reduced the Crohn's Disease Activity Index (CDAI) and inflammatory markers like IL-6 and CRP.

This demonstrates powerful systemic anti-inflammatory effects—not just local oral benefits, but downstream healing in the gut.

The Oral-Gut Axis in Action

This is functional medicine at its finest. By chewing mastic gum, you're:

1. Exercising jaw muscles for structural development
2. Reducing pathogenic oral bacteria
3. Sending healing compounds directly to your stomach
4. Fighting H. pylori naturally
5. Reducing systemic inflammation

All from chewing a tree resin our ancestors used for millennia.

Practical Application

For oral health benefits: Chew mastic gum regularly as part of your oral care routine. The tough texture provides the mechanical stimulus your jaw needs.

For gut health benefits: Studies used 1-3 grams daily. Greek mastic gum from Chios is the gold standard—avoid cheap substitutes that may not be authentic Pistacia lentiscus.

As with xylitol, frequency and consistency matter more than duration. Regular daily use creates lasting benefits.

This is ancestral wisdom validated by modern science—another example of looking backward to move forward in health optimization.

Boar Bristle Brushes: The Natural Alternative

If you're not ready to commit to miswak sticks full-time, natural boar bristle brushes offer a middle ground. They're made from actual animal hair, not petroleum-based plastics, eliminating the microplastic exposure entirely.

As @yoursimmo notes in an excellent thread on the subject:

"Most toothbrushes leach microplastics directly into your bloodstream through your gums. These plastics are estrogenic and will wreck your hormones."

Boar bristles are softer on gums, naturally antibacterial, and biodegradable. They're what humans used before the plastic industry convinced us we needed synthetic alternatives.

The Bioidentical Solution: Hydroxyapatite

Here's another place modern science and traditional wisdom converge beautifully.

Hydroxyapatite (HAp) is the natural building-block mineral of your tooth enamel. Using it topically is a biomimetic approach—you're giving your teeth the exact material they're made of to repair themselves.

How It Works

Hydroxyapatite bonds directly to the tooth surface, filling in microscopic imperfections and dentinal tubules (which reduces sensitivity), literally rebuilding enamel at the molecular level.

OraWellness, one of the best websites to explore today's topic, explains: "The HA molecule is very important for oral care. It's the primary building block that our teeth are made of... our teeth are made of hydroxyapatite, which is why HA is such a supportive compound for tooth health."

The Critical Distinction: Nano vs. Micro

Here's where particle size becomes everything. There are two main forms:

Nano-Hydroxyapatite (nHA): Particles are 20-100 nanometers. Their extremely tiny size allows them to penetrate deep into enamel micro-pores, facilitating true biomimetic remineralization from within the tooth structure itself.

Microcrystalline Hydroxyapatite (MCHA): Particles around 70 micrometers. Larger, naturally sourced (often from bone), works more on the surface level.

The research strongly favors nano-hydroxyapatite for actual enamel restoration:

• A 2021 study by Huang et al. published in the International Journal of Dentistry found nano-hydroxyapatite toothpaste was comparable to fluoride in remineralization capacity.
• As referenced previously, the 2023 study by Paszynska et al. in Frontiers in Public Health demonstrated a fluoride-free nano-hydroxyapatite toothpaste was non-inferior to fluoride in preventing caries.

OraWellness provides testimonials like this one: "Within 3 months, 10 of the cavities were gone and only the oldest deepest one needed a filling. The hygienist thought I must have had those cavities filled elsewhere as they were gone."

This is the power of giving your teeth the raw materials they need to repair themselves.

A Personal Testimonial: Davids Nano-Hydroxyapatite Toothpaste

As a functional health practitioner, I put products through rigorous real-world testing. My family switched to the Orange Vanilla flavored Davids Premium Natural Toothpaste with nano-hydroxyapatite, and the results were immediate and dramatic. (WE STRATEGICALLY AVOIDED THE MINT FLAVORS).

It felt like someone went into our mouths while brushing and veneered our teeth with porcelain. That's the only way to describe it—perfectly smooth, clean, and noticeably stronger enamel sensation.

Our dental hygienist was genuinely surprised at a recent cleaning. She noted drastic improvements in tartar reduction, visible gum regeneration, and overall oral cleanliness. Even more impressive: in combination with regular oil pulling, this regimen is actively reversing a deep periodontal pocket that hadn't responded to standard dental methods in my own mouth.

When functional approaches outperform conventional dental interventions, it's not luck—it's giving your body the tools it actually needs to heal itself.

The Ancestral Blueprint: Weston A. Price and Peter Ungar

Here's the question that should shatter the modern dental paradigm: if our current approach is so advanced, why did our ancestors have perfect teeth without any of our technology?

Weston A. Price, DDS

In the 1930s, Dr. Price traveled the world studying isolated populations with zero access to modern dentistry. What he documented in Nutrition and Physical Degeneration should have revolutionized medicine.

He found populations with:

• Perfect dental arches
• Zero cavities
• No gum disease
• Strong facial structures
• Robust overall health

Dr. Jack Kruse asks pointedly:

The answer? None. They didn't need it.

These weren't genetic anomalies. Price documented what happened when these same populations adopted Western diets—within a single generation, dental degeneration appeared. Children of parents with perfect teeth developed cavities, narrow jaws, and malocclusion.

Peter Ungar, PhD (Paleoanthropologist)

Dr. Peter S. Ungar is Distinguished Professor and Chair of Anthropology at the University of Arkansas. A world-renowned paleoanthropologist, his research focuses on the evolution of human diet through the analysis of dental microwear and comparative primate feeding ecology. He's authored over 150 scientific articles and several books including Teeth: A Very Short Introduction and Evolution's Bite: A Story of Teeth, Diet, and Human Origins.

Ungar's analysis of dental microwear in archaeological remains confirms the pattern. Ancient diets of tough, fibrous foods promoted strong jaw development and naturally clean teeth. Modern soft, processed diets eliminate the mechanical cleansing action and jaw development stimulus our biology expects.

Dr. Mew summarizes: "From the open plains of Africa to the dense forests of the Amazon, traditional societies have maintained dental practices that have not only stood the test of time but are now being slowly embraced and recognized by modern science."

The foundation of oral health isn't found in toothpaste—it's found in a nutrient-dense, ancestral-style diet rich in vitamins A, D, K2, and minerals.

But there's another critical factor Price documented that modern practitioners often overlook: these populations lived life predominantly outdoors with dark nights mostly devoid of artificial lighting—limited to firelight or minimal incandescent illumination at most.

This isn't tangential to dental health—it's central to it. Mitochondrial function is upstream of everything else, and proper circadian rhythm regulation through natural light exposure and true darkness is fundamental to mitochondrial optimization. The same UV light that synthesizes vitamin D in your skin also optimizes cellular energy production, hormone balance, and mineral metabolism—all of which directly impact your body's ability to build and maintain healthy teeth and bones.

Modern humans live in a state of perpetual circadian disruption: minimal outdoor time, excessive blue light exposure after sunset, and artificial lighting that tricks our biology into thinking it's always noon. This destroys mitochondrial function, which cascades into poor mineral absorption, hormonal dysregulation, and ultimately—dental degeneration.

Price's populations didn't just eat better. They lived in alignment with natural light cycles, which optimized every downstream process including dental health.

The Dietary Foundation

Price discovered that healthy populations consumed:

• Whole animals including bones, marrow, and connective tissue
• Fermented foods rich in probiotics
• Zero processed carbohydrates or refined sugars
• Mineral-rich foods including organ meats
• Fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, K2) in abundance

Christian Van Camp reinforces this:

"Eliminate synthetic sugars, excess wheat products and fake sweeteners like sucralose— they wreak havoc on your oral microbiome & gut. Stick to natural sugars from organic whole fruits & raw honey."

Your teeth need the raw materials to maintain themselves. Collagen for gum tissue. Minerals for enamel. Fat-soluble vitamins for absorption and utilization. These aren't optional—they're the building blocks of dental health.

Bone broth provides collagen and minerals. Fermented foods reseed beneficial bacteria throughout your oral-gut axis. Grass-fed butter, pastured egg yolks, and organ meats provide vitamins A, D, and K2.

This is why people can follow perfect oral hygiene protocols and still develop cavities—they're deficient in the raw materials needed for repair.

The Full Picture: Nasal Breathing and Systemic Function

Here's the connection most people miss: oral health is intimately linked to structure and function.

Chronic mouth breathing isn't just bad for sleep—it's devastating for dental health.

When you breathe through your mouth, you:

• Bypass your body's natural air filtration system (nose)
• Dry out your oral cavity, creating perfect conditions for pathogenic bacteria
• Alter jaw development and facial structure
• Disrupt proper tongue posture
• Compromise immune function
• Reduce nitric oxide production

Christian Van Camp explains:

"Breathing through your mouth isn't just bad for your health—it's bad for your face. Nasal breathing supports a strong jawline, proper mastication, and even enhances attractiveness."

Patrick McKeown's The Oxygen Advantage makes nasal breathing a non-negotiable pillar of health optimization. Nasal breathing filters air, produces nitric oxide for better oxygen uptake, maintains proper oral moisture, and supports correct craniofacial development.

The protocol is simple:

• Train nasal breathing throughout the day
• Practice breath holding exercises to increase CO2 tolerance
• Tape your mouth at night with a gentle medical tape

This single change will transform your oral cavity environment more than any toothpaste ever could.

The Wisdom Teeth Question

Here's something controversial that Price's work illuminates: wisdom teeth removal is often unnecessary.

Van Camp argues: "Wisdom teeth removal is often unnecessary and disconnects us from deeper esoteric alignments in the body. Unless you have a serious medical reason, let them be. Our bodies were designed to have these teeth for a purpose. It's 'wise', of course."

The reason modern humans struggle with wisdom teeth isn't genetic—it's developmental. Narrow jaws from mouth breathing, soft food diets, and poor facial development mean our wisdom teeth don't have room to emerge properly.

Price's isolated populations with traditional diets had full dental arches that accommodated all 32 teeth perfectly. The wisdom teeth "problem" is a symptom of systemic dysfunction, not a design flaw.

Fix the underlying issue (proper facial development through nasal breathing and tough foods during childhood) rather than treating the symptom (removing healthy teeth).

The Bigger Picture: Health as Proof of Work

Here's the parallel nobody's making clearly enough: your health requires the same proof-of-work consensus mechanism as Bitcoin.

You can't shortcut it. You can't outsource it to a doctor and trust they have your best interests at heart. You have to do the actual work—the research, the experimentation, the consistent daily practices that compound over time.

Most people spend more on coffee in a month than they invest in understanding their health for an entire year. They'll drop $10K on a watch but won't spend $1K on comprehensive functional labs that could prevent $100K in medical bills and decades of suffering.

They're storing their wealth for the future with Bitcoin, but their health stack is so inadequate they won't be around—or won't be functional enough—to enjoy what they've accumulated.

What good is wealth without the health to enjoy it?

This is why I talk about "custodying your health" like you custody your Bitcoin. It's the same principle:

• Don't trust, verify (use functional labs, not assumptions)
• Self-sovereignty over institutional capture (take control, don't delegate)
• Long-term thinking over short-term convenience (SHH: Stack Healthy Habits)
• Proof of work over proof of authority (do the research, question narratives)

The first step is waking up. Unplugging from the matrix of acceptable medical discourse. Shattering the Overton Window to let in truths that were labeled "dangerous" or "unscientific" yesterday.

This requires effort. Proof of work. The ability to put aside strongly held beliefs and question more.

Modern Dentistry as Symptom Management

The entire modern dental paradigm treats symptoms, not causes. Cavities? Fill them. Decay? Pull the tooth. Gum disease? Surgery.

Nobody asks WHY the tooth decayed. Nobody investigates the systemic factors—gut dysbiosis, mineral deficiencies, mouth breathing, dietary inadequacies, artificial light at night—that allowed the problem to develop in the first place.

It's the same broken model as mainstream medicine: wait for disease, then intervene with procedures and prescriptions. Never address root causes. Never optimize for health. Just manage decline and create recurring revenue streams.

This is why people spend tens of thousands on dental work over their lifetimes yet never achieve true oral health. They're treating symptoms in a system that's fundamentally designed for profit, not healing.

The Actionable Protocol: How to Reclaim Your Oral Sovereignty

Here's your comprehensive framework for radical oral health transformation:

1. Choose Your Tools Wisely

• Opt for a natural boar bristle brush, miswak stick, or truly natural bamboo brush (check: bristles aren't nylon/handles aren't chemical coated!)
• Avoid plastic toothbrushes entirely—eliminate microplastic exposure
• Avoid harsh antimicrobials and essential oils that disrupt oral homeostasis

2. Nourish & Mineralize

• Switch to a nano-hydroxyapatite toothpaste (Davids Premium Natural Toothpaste is highly recommended—ensure it's nano, not micro, for deep enamel penetration)
• Support oral health with a mineral rinse (magnesium chloride flakes + high-quality salt in water)
• Use baking soda occasionally for gentle cleaning and pH balancing
• Incorporate birch-derived xylitol (5-6g daily in divided doses via gum, mints, or as a sweetener)
• Consider magnesium supplementation if deficient (which you probably are)

3. Embrace Tradition

• Incorporate oil pulling with coconut oil for 5-10 minutes daily (consistency over duration)
• Try miswak sticks as your primary or backup toothbrush
• Use a copper or stainless steel tongue scraper every morning—don't swallow that toxic biofilm back into your system

4. Eliminate the Toxins

• Ditch fluoride toothpaste immediately (switch to nano-hydroxyapatite)
• Never use commercial mouthwash again (it nukes your microbiome)
• Stop using mints (they're non-selective antimicrobials)
• Choose toothpaste without aluminum compounds

5. Fix the Fundamentals

• Switch to exclusive nasal breathing (train during the day, tape your mouth at night)
• Practice proper tongue posture (tongue on the roof of your mouth AND soft palate, not floor)
• Ensure adequate chewing of fibrous foods to maintain jaw strength
• Chew mastic gum regularly to provides jaw-strengthening resistance training for facial structure while delivering gut-healing compounds that fight H. pylori (My go-to brand: Giga Chew)
• Get adequate sun exposure for vitamin D synthesis

6. Nourish the Body

• Eat bone broth daily (provides collagen for gum tissue and minerals)
• Consume fermented foods regularly (sauerkraut, kimchi, kefir to reseed beneficial bacteria)
• Prioritize fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, K2 from grass-fed butter, pastured eggs, organ meats)
• Include mineral-rich whole foods (avoid processed carbohydrates)
• Eliminate refined sugars and synthetic sweeteners entirely

7. Verify, Don't Guess

• Get functional lab testing to identify your unique deficiencies and imbalances
• Test your gut microbiome composition (which provides insights into oral health via the oral-gut axis)
• Assess mineral status (especially magnesium, calcium, vitamin D)
• Check inflammatory markers
• Understand your unique biochemistry before implementing protocols

The Binary Choice

You face the same choice in health that you faced in finance:

Trust the institutions that have systematically failed you, lied to you, and profited from your decline...

Or take custody of your own health with the same rigor you've applied to your wealth.

The infrastructure exists to keep you dependent, sick, and medicated. Captured regulatory agencies approve toxins. Compliant media dismisses alternatives as "dangerous." Profit-driven healthcare systems treat symptoms forever rather than addressing root causes.

Dr. Mew concludes his analysis with wisdom worth remembering:

"The best way forward is often the path that acknowledges and respects where we've been. Perhaps the secret to our health, both dental and overall, doesn't lie in the next big technological breakthrough, but in the whispered wisdom of the past, found in the roots of a tree or the leaves of a plant."

Your defense requires the same approach that protects your Bitcoin: self-custody, verification, and refusal to trust third parties with your most valuable assets.

We're not discovering new knowledge—we're remembering what was deliberately forgotten.

The evidence is clear. The research is published. The ancestral wisdom is validated. The choice is yours.

Stack your health like you stack your sats—with proof of work, not proof of authority.

Until next time, here's to your radical health sovereignty!

Note: This newsletter is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any medical condition. Always consult with qualified healthcare providers regarding any health concerns.