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From the Dental Chair to Functional Care
Rooted in Connection. Grounded in Science.
As a functional nutrition counselor, holistic health practitioner,
and a dental hygienist,
I've seen it firsthand: your mouth is a mirror,
reflecting what's happening beneath the surface.
These blog posts are inspired by real chairside conversations,
where everyday symptoms pointed to deeper stories.
Ready to connect the dots between your smile, symptoms, and whole-body health?
Let's DIG in.
Blood Sugar Balance and Your Mouth: The Hidden Link Between Inflammation, Gums, and Glucose
Think bleeding gums are just about brushing? Think again.
Even if your A1C looks perfect, poor blood sugar balance can fuel inflammation, shift your oral microbiome, and mess with your mouth’s health long before your labs do.
Khristina Maureen
4 min read
Sweet Talk: How Sugar Hijacks Your Health (Through the DIG Lens)
That slurping sound in your saliva ejector? It’s your mouth’s way of tattling on your sugar habits, and trust me, it’s saying more than you think.
Khristina Maureen
3 min read
Understanding the Connection Between Jaw Pain and Posture
Jaw pain isn’t always just about the jaw. Discover how jaw pain and posture are connected, and why the solution might start at your feet.
Khristina Maureen
4 min read
Burning Tongue Syndrome: Is Your Body Trying to Tell You Something Deeper?
Burning tongue syndrome isn’t just annoying; it’s a clue. Cracks, bumps, and burning sensations on your tongue can point to nutrient gaps, gut imbalances, or hormone shifts. Instead of chasing quick fixes, learn the key questions to ask your doctor and how to spot patterns that go deeper than Google can tell you.
Khristina Maureen
3 min read
When Your Mouth Has Beef With Your Immune System: Oral Lichen Planus Explained
Oral lichen planus isn’t just a mouth issue, it’s an immune system clue. Burning cheeks, raw gums, or lacy white patches may be your body’s way of saying “look deeper.” In this post, we’ll explore the root-cause links between oral lichen planus and immune system health, and what you can do about it.
Khristina Maureen
3 min read
Understanding the Ripple Effects of Hysterectomy on Oral Health
Bleeding gums, dry mouth, or even a metallic taste? These are more than dental annoyances; they can be signs of deeper shifts in post-hysterectomy oral health. Here’s how hormones, stress, and gut changes ripple into your mouth, and what it really means for you.
Khristina Maureen
3 min read
Hysterectomy Isn’t Just a Surgery: A Functional Nutrition Perspective
A hysterectomy isn’t just a surgical procedure; it’s a full-body turning point. Through a functional nutrition lens, we explore how it can affect hormones, the nervous system, and emotional health. Learn why 1 in 3 women experience these changes and why compassionate, root-cause support matters.
Khristina Maureen
3 min read
Magnesium & Oral Health: The Chill Factor Your Smile Didn’t Know It Needed
Most people think calcium is the key to strong teeth, but the real game‑changer is magnesium. Learn how the connection between magnesium and oral health impacts your gums, jaw, and overall smile.
Khristina Maureen
3 min read
Clear Aligners and Whole-Body Health: It’s Not Just a Cosmetic Flex
Clear aligners aren't just cosmetic. Discover how your bite affects posture, digestion, energy, and more, through a functional health lens.
Khristina Maureen
5 min read
Mouth-Gut Connection: What Bleeding Gums Got To Do With Your Gut
Your gums might be spilling secrets your gut's been keeping. Bleeding despite great hygiene? It could be your gut that needs attention. Learn how inflammation, immune signals, and nutrient gaps affect your mouth, through a functional lens.
Khristina Maureen
3 min read
Understanding the Mouth-Gut Connection: How Your Immune System Begins Before Swallowing
You’ve probably heard that 70–80% of your immune system lives in your gut—but what if the trouble starts before you even swallow? This blog breaks down the science (and sass) behind the mouth–gut connection, the immune system’s first responders, and how one convo with an oncologist highlighted the difference between conventional and functional thinking. Spoiler: your gums might be telling a much bigger story.
Khristina Maureen
4 min read
Beyond the Brush: Why Plaque and Tartar Keep Coming Back (Even When You Floss)
Think brushing and flossing are enough to stop tartar? Think again. Plaque and tartar are more than just a surface problem, they’re clues about your minerals, saliva, and whole-body balance. Here’s how to decode that buildup and finally get to the root of why it keeps coming back, even when you’re doing everything “right.”
Khristina Maureen
4 min read
To Fluoride or Not to Fluoride? Your Thyroid & Whole-Body Perspective
Fluoride is everywhere, but should it be in your mouth forever? If you have thyroid issues, here’s why you might want to think twice , and what smarter options exist instead.
Khristina Maureen
4 min read
Understanding Tooth Sensitivity Causes and Effective Solutions Beyond Enamel and Toothpaste
Still wincing at ice water even with sensitive toothpaste? Tooth sensitivity isn’t just about enamel; it’s a signal. Discover real tooth sensitivity causes and solutions, from gum health and hormones to hydroxyapatite toothpaste and root-cause fixes that last.
Khristina Maureen
3 min read
The Surprising Benefits of Mouth Taping for Better Oral Health and Nasal Breathing
Ever wake up with a dry mouth, bad breath, or that scratchy throat feeling? You’re not alone; mouth breathing while you sleep could be the hidden culprit behind cavities, gum issues, and even poor sleep quality. In this post, we’re unpacking why gently taping your mouth at night (yes, really) can help you breathe better through your nose, protect your teeth, and wake up feeling fresher, no fancy gadgets required.
Khristina Maureen
2 min read
The Essential Role of Vitamin K2 and Calcium in a Healthy Smile (Even If Teeth Aren’t Bones)
Teeth aren’t bones, but they still need calcium love.
Right behind your enamel is dentin, a living layer filled with tiny tubules that send signals to your pulp. That’s why a bite of ice cream can make you wince. And it’s why vitamin K2 matters, because it helps guide calcium to the right places, like your jawbone and dentin, instead of letting it wander into your arteries. Let’s break it down, layer by layer
Khristina Maureen
3 min read
Are Teeth Bones? The Truth About Tooth Anatomy and Bone Loss
Think teeth are bones? Not quite.
Discover the real difference between teeth and bones, what bone loss actually means, and why your jaw might be telling a deeper story about your health.
Khristina Maureen
3 min read
Plaque to the Future: Is Gum Disease a Hidden Indicator of Your Heart Health?
Your gums might be warning you about more than cavities. Discover the surprising link between gum disease and heart health, before it’s too late.
Khristina Maureen
3 min read
Understanding Hormonal Influence on Calcium Levels and Bone Loss
Calcium isn’t just about strong bones, it’s crucial for your jaw, too. When calcium-regulating hormones like PTH and calcitonin go out of balance, your body may start pulling calcium from your bones, including your jaw. The result? Bone loss that shows up in dental X-rays before you even feel it. Learn how your hormones, minerals, and mouth are more connected than you think.
Khristina Maureen
3 min read
The Role of Vitamin D in Strengthening Your Jawbone Through Liver and Kidney Health
Your jawbone health isn’t just about flossing or popping vitamin D. It’s about liver function, hormone balance, and the systems running behind the scenes. Learn how your smile can reveal deeper imbalances, and what to do about it.
Khristina Maureen
4 min read
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