The Ultimate Human with Gary Brecka

Episode 204: Dr. Dominik Nischwitz – Why Your Autoimmune Disease Might Actually Start in Your Mouth
Date: September 25, 2025
Host: Gary Brecka
Guest: Dr. Dominik Nischwitz

Overview

This episode explores the profound and often overlooked link between oral health and systemic autoimmune diseases. Renowned biological dentist Dr. Dominik Nischwitz joins human biologist and longevity expert Gary Brecka for a live, audience-driven discussion. The conversation delves into how common dental procedures and conditions—like root canals, wisdom teeth extraction, and oral microbiome imbalances—can contribute to chronic illness, autoimmunity, and inflammation throughout the body. Dr. Nischwitz advocates for a paradigm shift in dentistry, calling for a more holistic and integrative approach that places oral health at the heart of total well-being.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Oral Health’s Systemic Connection

• Dr. Nischwitz kicks off the episode by making the audience stand if they have metals, root canals, or pulled wisdom teeth, with about 90% standing—a visual demonstration of how widespread potentially problematic oral procedures are. (00:00-02:14)

• Quote: "There's room for help optimization right there in your mouth." - Dr. Nischwitz (02:14)

• The oral microbiome is compared to the gut: issues like "leaky gum" can mirror "leaky gut," allowing pathogens and toxins into systemic circulation. (00:26, 11:41)

2. Root Causes of Autoimmune Disease

• Gary highlights that 87-90% of autoimmune disease is "idiopathic" (of unknown origin) but proposes that the major reasons the immune system is triggered are mold, mycotoxins, parasites, viruses, and heavy metals—many of which have oral entry points. (00:46, 13:15)

• Quote: "The vast majority of entry is through the oral cavity. This is why I'm so excited about the movement of biological dentistry." - Gary Brecka (14:00)

• Dr. Nischwitz elaborates: chronic dental infections, heavy metals, and dead teeth create a “dirty hotel lobby” in the mouth, seeding systemic dysfunction. (16:21)

3. Current Dental System Critique and the Need for Change

• Both speakers are critical of mainstream dentistry's narrow focus on symptom management and technical repair rather than systemic health impacts.
• Dr. Nischwitz is training and certifying dentists globally, aiming to standardize holistic, biologic dental practices. (04:06, 07:36)
• Quote: "We have to put the doctor back into the game so they understand it's not just about biting. It might be an issue systemically for the patient." - Dr. Nischwitz (07:36)

4. Access, Equity, and Systemic Barriers

• Audience questions highlight the barriers to advanced oral diagnostics like 3D cone beam scans due to healthcare system limitations (e.g., NHS not providing these). Both guest and host emphasize prioritizing health, education, and system-wide reform. (03:54, 04:06)

5. Practical Audience Q&A Highlights

Hydroxyapatite vs. Fluoride (00:10, 19:29)

• Both Gary and Dr. Nischwitz are strong proponents of hydroxyapatite toothpaste over fluoride.
• Quote: "Fluoride is also a neurotoxin... If you look at the 2014 National Toxicology Program survey study on fluoride, it will tell you all you need to know about getting fluoride out of your toothpaste and replacing it with hydroxyapatite." - Gary Brecka (19:29)
• Saliva buffers acidity, so whole food acidity (fruit) isn’t a major concern as long as nutrition is sound.

Wisdom Teeth (Impacted/Partially Erupted) (11:41)

• Fully impacted (below gum line) wisdom teeth are generally not problematic.
• Partially erupted wisdom teeth create an “opening” (leaky gum), exposing the body to oral microbes linked to diseases like Alzheimer's and rheumatoid arthritis.
• Quote: "It's called leaky gum. It's the same as leaky gut, essentially... you don't want to have these bugs going into your system." - Dr. Nischwitz (11:41)

Tongue Tie, Posture, and Airway (17:07)

• Dr. Nischwitz stresses the overlooked impact of tongue ties on posture, jaw development, airway, and breathing. Early myofunctional therapy is advised.

Connection to Scoliosis & Orthodontics (23:13)

• Aggressive orthodontics can cause unintended postural consequences, such as scoliosis. A multidisciplinary approach (e.g., osteopath, myofunctional therapist) is recommended over brute-force alignment, and “metal brackets make a human antenna out of your kid.” (23:47)

Oral Health and Eye Issues (Glaucoma) (25:35)

• Dr. Nischwitz asserts any chronic inflammation, stress, or infection from oral origins can impact distant organs, including eyes. The mouth is the “extension of your brain” and should never be neglected in chronic disease. (25:54)

Can Cavities Heal? (31:48)

• Timing is critical: do not attempt detox or remineralization while the source (e.g., metals, chronic dental infection) remains. Remove problem materials first, then support the body to heal.
• Quote: "The biggest detox is getting rid of the sauce first." - Dr. Nischwitz (32:08)

Why Are Root Canals Bad? (34:51)

• Root canals remove a living organ from the mouth, leaving behind a structure filled with microscopic tubules that harbor bacteria, parasites, and mold. This becomes a chronic, hidden infection, untouchable by the immune system, perpetuating systemic disease.
• Quote: "The problem is your immune system, the macrophages, they're just too big. They can't get there... It becomes the perfect hiding spot for anaerobacteria, parasites, viruses, fungi, even mold to just live there compartmentalized." - Dr. Nischwitz (34:57)

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• "Your mouth is part of the human body. It's not just the garage." – Dr. Nischwitz (00:37, 25:54)
• "The major reasons why the immune system is called to that site is mold, mycotoxin, parasite, virus, and heavy metal." – Gary Brecka (00:46, 13:15)
• "Fluoride is also a neurotoxin." – Gary Brecka (19:29)
• "You have to work with the body, not with force against it." – Dr. Nischwitz (23:24)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Audience oral health inventory exercise (Mouth as health root): 00:00–02:14
• Access & systemic barriers to advanced dental diagnostics: 03:54–05:31
• Root canals, autoimmunity, and heavy metals: 00:46, 13:15–16:12, 34:51–36:39
• Wisdom teeth and oral–systemic disease links: 11:41
• Explanation of root canal dangers: 34:51–36:39
• Hydroxyapatite, mineralization, and diet: 19:29–22:24
• Posture, tongue tie, and orthodontic consequences: 17:07, 23:13
• Healing and prevention strategies: 29:15–31:48
• Detox strategies and timing: 31:48–34:30

Conclusion & Takeaways

This episode underscores the pivotal role of the oral cavity as both a mirror and determinant of whole-body health, particularly in the genesis of autoimmune and chronic diseases. Dr. Nischwitz and Gary Brecka urge listeners and practitioners to reframe dental care as an integral part of medicine, emphasizing prevention, biological approaches, and lifestyle modification over routine technical repair. Audience questions reveal strong interest in practical, actionable strategies, and the urgent need for better education, accessibility, and systemic change in both dentistry and medicine.