This week, we are joined by Dr. Ashley Lerman, Board-certified Pediatric Dentist, to chat about, you guessed it: oral hygiene. You have a question about your mouth? We've got you covered. We tackle how often you should go to the dentist, best practices for brushing your teeth (do you really need to shell out for the electric toothbrush?), flossing, and more. We discuss the persistent myths about fluoride, and the importance of it for dental health. We talk about some health hacks that circulate on TikTok (spoiler: oil pulling is not helpful) and what IS actually evidence-based to support your smile. We cover a lot of ground, so make sure to tune in! All our sources from this episode are available at: https://www.unbiasedscipod.com/episodes/flossophy-101 (00:00) Music and Intros (03:36) The Importance of Early Dental Health Habits (06:41) Frequency of Dental Visits (09:10) Special Case Dental Visits (12:28) The Basics of Brushing and Flossing (14:19) Types of Toothbrushes and Toothpaste (16:26) Changing Toothbrushes and Disposable Toothbrushes (19:00) The Importance of Flossing and Flossing Techniques (22:28) Frequency and Timing of Flossing (26:16) Mouthwash and Fluoride (29:15) Fluoride and Misconceptions (35:53) Dental Disease and Oral Health Issues (40:05) Dental Tori and Oral Cancer (41:32) Dangers of DIY Dental Care and The Truth about Oil Pulling (43:47) Factors Affecting Dental Health (44:47) Understanding the Oral Microbiome (45:51) Teeth Whitening: Managing Expectations (47:30) Debunking Myths about Root Canals and Fillings (50:59) Importance of Preventive Care (51:39) Wrap-up and Final Thoughts Interested in advertising with us? Please reach out to [email protected], with “Unbiased Science” in the subject line. PLEASE NOTE: The discussion and information provided in this podcast are for general educational, scientific, and informational purposes only and are not intended as, and should not be treated as, medical or other professional advice for any particular individual or individuals. Every person and medical issue is different, and diagnosis and treatment requires consideration of specific facts often unique to the individual. As such, the information contained in this podcast should not be used as a substitute for consultation with and/or treatment by a doctor or other medical professional. If you are experiencing any medical issue or have any medical concern, you should consult with a doctor or other medical professional. Further, due to the inherent limitations of a podcast such as this as well as ongoing scientific developments, we do not guarantee the completeness or accuracy of the information or analysis provided in this podcast, although, of course we always endeavor to provide comprehensive information and analysis. In no event may Unbiased Science or any of the participants in this podcast be held liable to the listener or anyone else for any decision allegedly made or action allegedly taken or not taken allegedly in reliance on the discussion or information in this podcast or for any damages allegedly resulting from such reliance. The information provided herein do not represent the views of our employers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices