This week on Brush with Britt I’m joined by Dr. Staci Whitman, a leading voice in functional dentistry.

We explore how whole-person oral care can transform outcomes—what your saliva can reveal, why airway health is foundational, and how daily habits (yes, nutrition!) shape prevention. Plus, we dig into nano-hydroxyapatite, remineralization strategies, and how hygienists can confidently bring these conversations chairside.

What we cover

Functional dentistry 101: where it overlaps with conventional care and what sets it apart

Saliva testing: pathogens, pH, buffering, and personalizing perio/caries prevention

Airway evaluations: red flags hygienists can spot and why every hygienist (and dentist) should be performing an airway screening

Nano-hydroxyapatite: indications, concentrations, and patient counseling

Nutrition counseling: simple frameworks for sugar frequency, microbiome-friendly diets, and deficiencies that show up in the oral cavity.

🎧 Grab your headphones, hit play, and let’s dive into the future of functional hygiene together.

Dr. Staci Whitman, a leading authority in functional dentistry, is on a mission to revolutionize oral healthcare. With a unique blend of scientific expertise and compassionate care, she's dedicated to creating a cavity-free world. Dr. Staci is board-certified in pediatrics, integrative dentistry, and naturopathic dentistry, and is one of the few dentists in the world to hold a Functional Medicine Certification from the Institute for Functional Medicine. She founded one of the leading functional pediatric dental offices, Bloom Kids, in the country, where she takes a whole-body and holistic approach to her care. She is the co-founder of the Institute for Functional Dentistry, launching in 2025, and lectures globally on Functional Dentistry and the Oral Systemic Connection. She also is the co-founder of Feed Your Good Guys (Fygg), a microbiome-friendly and supportive oral care line. With a passion for optimizing the oral microbiome, hormonal health, nutritional status, and sleep and airway health, she is a sought-after expert and educator with a strong focus on preventive dentistry, cavity arrest, remineralization, and the oral-gut-brain axis. Dr. Staci passionately shares her knowledge and insights on creating happy teeth and healthy lives.

Contact Dr. Staci

Instagram: ⁨@doctor_staci⁩

Dr. Staci’s website and newsletter: doctorstaci.com

The Institute for Functional Dentistry: functionaldentistry.org

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Disclaimer: The Brush with Britt podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of dentistry, medicine, or other health-care services. No provider–patient relationship is formed, and the content is not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Listeners should always seek the guidance of their licensed health-care providers for any questions or concerns. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Brittany Glauz, (Brush with Britt).

96. Functional Dental Hygiene

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