How I Integrated Healthy Smiles with a Healthy Diet
If someone had told me a couple of years ago that my dental hygienist career path would one day see me as an author, I would have laughed and replied, “Who’s got time for that between lectures on flossing and chasing after children?” And yet, here I am, taking my passion for oral care and healthy lifestyles and combining it into something that I never expected to be doing—writing a book.
The Spark Behind the Idea
As a dental hygienist, I spent years lecturing patients about the relationship between oral health and general health. You’d be amazed at how often I repeated, “Gum disease doesn’t stay in your mouth—it’s connected to your entire body!” While I worked with patients, I noticed the bigger picture: most of the illnesses I treated, from gum disease to fatigue, weight gain, and even anxiety, had one sneaky culprit—inflammation.
That realization hit me hard. Chronic inflammation wasn’t just an issue for my patients; it was an issue for me, too. My busy schedule, work, and family responsibilities made me exhausted and out of balance. The culprit? My diet.
Connecting the Dots
After decades of dealing with patients and studying myself, I observed how processed foods, sugars, and bad fats destroy our teeth and entire bodies. These foods drive chronic inflammation, which causes terrible health issues like diabetes, heart disease, and anxiety. I wondered:
What if I could simplify the science of inflammation?
What if I create a helpful guide to empower people to assume responsibility for their health, starting with their diet?
Then, the idea for my book, Reviving Your Body with the Anti-Inflammatory Diet, struck me.
Blending Oral Health and a Healthy Diet
My book is not just about avoiding inflammation—it’s about creating a healthy, fun lifestyle. It’s a roadmap to better health, grounded in science but filled with actionable tips that busy people (and picky eaters) can use.
Here’s what I covered in the book:
1️⃣ How food fuels or fights inflammation – Learn which foods are friends and which are foes.
2️⃣ The connection between insulin and health – Insulin balance isn’t just about weight loss; it’s critical to overall health.
3️⃣ . Simple meal planning and recipes—I know no one wants to spend hours in the kitchen, especially after or during work.
4️⃣ Proven tips to stay consistent – Life gets complicated, but healthy habits shouldn’t.
Why This Matters
The connection between healthy teeth and healthy eating is more than an idea; it’s science. The way you eat will affect your body, gums, and teeth; the better you understand it, the more power you have to create positive changes.
I’ve seen firsthand how small shifts in diet can lead to significant transformations. By adopting anti-inflammatory habits, my patients have experienced improved gum health, more energy, and even weight loss. Writing this book allowed me to reach beyond the dental chair and share this life-changing information with a much larger audience.
From Floss to Fork
Writing was not part of the plan, but I’m grateful for it. It’s been about more than words—it’s been about finding a means to empower others to live healthier, happier lives. Whether healthier teeth or better food choices, I believe in the power of small steps to make a significant impact.
So here’s to combining oral care with healthy nutrition and taking control of our health, one bite (and one floss) at a time!