In this Functional Roots episode, hygienists Amanda and Heather talk with Dr. Gregory Hyde (MD/PhD, ENT surgeon and integrative physician) and Elena Mar (naturopath and biofield practitioner) about the mouth as a “circuit breaker box” for whole-body health and their method using coherent sound (tuning forks) and kinesiology to detect imbalances linked to teeth, organs, minerals, emotions, and chronic infections like cavitations.

They share Dr. Hyde’s story of losing vision from a brain abscess tied to oral bacteria and a healing experience involving a Native American cedar flute, plus Elena’s long research into why certain teeth decay while adjacent teeth stay healthy.

The conversation covers frequency, the biofield/aura, how sound can be used for assessment and therapy, why they focus on restoring harmony rather than “killing” microbes, and their Vita Institute courses and tooth avatar charts.

00:00 Intro & Guest Introductions00:40 Guest Background & The Tooth Mystery

03:43 Elena's Journey: Why Some Teeth Get Cavities

05:39 Dr. Hyde's Personal Health Crisis & Sound Healing Discovery

13:19 How Elena & Dr. Hyde Met: Love at First Tuning Fork

18:15 Reading the Body: Tuning Fork Diagnostics & Dentist Case Studies

24:25 The Science of Frequency, Water & Sound

58:57 Vita Institute, Courses & Closing Thoughts

01:22:25 Speaking Engagements & Wrap-Up

pH, Saliva, and Bone Health: Oral-Systemic Clues with Kristen Evans, RDH (The pH RDH)Functional Roots hosts Amanda and Heather welcome dental educator Kristin Evans (the “pH RDH”) to discuss how whole-body wellness starts in the mouth and why pH is foundational to oral disease prevention.

Kristen shares how her daughter’s cystic acne sparked her deep dive into pH, dysbiosis, and oral-systemic connections, emphasizing that controlling oral pH often starts with assessing salivary flow and identifying drivers like dry mouth, acidic OTC products, mouth breathing, inhaler use, trays/night guards, and silent GERD. She addresses misconceptions about baking soda, noting its low abrasivity (RDA 7), and highlights the value of in-office pH education/testing.

The conversation expands into osteoporosis and hormones as key factors in periodontal breakdown, advocating for earlier bone screening, resistance training, nutrition, vitamin D considerations, and dentistry’s growing role in systemic health screening.00:00 Welcome to Functional Roots00:41 Meet Kristen Evans02:13 Her pH Origin Story05:39 Oral Systemic Balance07:20 Beyond One Product09:57 Saliva and Dry Mouth13:24 Reflux and Hidden Acids16:27 Baking Soda Mythbusting20:33 pH Testing in Practice23:30 Inhalers Trays and Decay27:56 Ozone Hydroxyapatite Oxygen29:26 pH and Bone Loss Tease30:34 Bone Density Perio Link31:46 Systemic Drivers Behind Bone Loss33:09 Saliva Testing Future Dentistry34:04 Hormones Peak Bone Mass36:38 Inflammation Lifestyle Risk Factors39:21 Collaboration Screening Referrals44:28 Ages 15 to 30 Bone Plan50:14 CBCT Vitamin D Sleep Basics52:47 Where to Find Kristen53:23 Speaking Events Wrap Up54:40 Final Thanks Closing

Peptides in Dentistry: Healing, Perio Inflammation & What’s Coming Next (with Dr. Patrick Angel)Peptides are showing up everywhere—from post-surgery recovery to periodontal inflammation—and they may be the next big conversation in dentistry. In this episode of Functional Roots, hygienists Amanda and Heather sit down with Dr. Patrick Angel (aka “Pat the Dentist”) to break down what peptides are, how they influence cell behavior and inflammation, and why therapies like BPC-157 and GHK-Cu are gaining attention for healing and potential perio management. They also discuss concerns around GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic, including appetite suppression, muscle loss, oral side effects, and important pre-op considerations like delayed gastric emptying. The conversation expands into salivary diagnostics, airway and root-cause care, nutrition, and what peptide-based tools (including rinses and post-op support) could look like in the next five years. Like, subscribe, and share if you’re ready to dig past the plaque and get to the root of whole-body wellness.00:00 Welcome to Functional Roots00:39 Why Peptides Matter00:58 Meet Dr Patrick Angel04:19 Peptides Explained Simply06:58 GLP-1 Risks in Dentistry08:08 Ozempic and Surgery Fasting09:48 Food vs Weight Loss Shortcuts12:36 Dental Peptides and RivaStar15:45 BPC-157 and GHK-Cu Potential18:28 Perio Healing and MMP-821:41 Safety Testing and Regulation25:41 Root Cause Health Journey29:01 Root Cause Dentistry29:54 TMD and Airway Clues32:32 Ortho Red Flags34:15 Peptides Next Wave38:50 BPC Healing Stories42:08 Nutrition and Toxins47:24 CGMs and Food Truth49:46 Processed Foods Exposed52:54 What Pat Reads54:38 Wrap Up and Where to Find

In this episode, the founders of The Mouth Lab explain how their work grew out of frustration with traditional hygiene’s “brush, floss, rinse” approach that often leaves patients getting progressively worse.

They describe patients arriving after trying everything, pushing them to dig for root causes and connect oral inflammation to broader health factors like gut integrity—down to asking about stool tests—because bleeding is an early sign of inflammation and bacteria entering the bloodstream.

They criticize a dentistry model that monitors decline, uses confusing jargon, and prioritizes revenue over outcomes, arguing gum disease’s prevalence shows it’s not just a surface problem.

They share why a safe, reproducible tool could be a game changer for hygienists and patients, and end with mentorship and burnout reflections after COVID.00:00 Why Mouth Lab Started00:54 Bleeding Gums Are A Warning01:33 Dentistry Profit Problem02:20 Gum Disease Runs Deep02:59 A Tool To Change Hygiene03:47 Breaking Out Of The Box04:27 Burnout And Mentorship

Beating Hygienist Burnout: Pain, Patients, and Practical ResetsThe script discusses burnout and physical strain among dental hygienists, including tight jaws, shoulder and neck pain, fatigue, and early-career injuries that lead some to consider leaving the profession. It contrasts draining, unappreciative patient interactions with meaningful moments, such as advocating for a terminal cancer patient to attend a concert and a patient crediting a hygienist’s blood pressure finding with saving his life.

The conversation highlights paying attention to small ergonomic details like glove fit, using belly breathing to calm the nervous system, and simple mobility habits like morning hip circles. It also addresses workload pressures from constantly adding tasks without time, and describes a more sustainable model focused on patient education, support from a dedicated assistant, and staying present to make a difference day by day.00:00 Burnout Warning Signs00:31 Early Career Pain00:43 Listening Before It Hurts00:47 Difficult Patients Drain01:29 Moments That Matter02:24 Small Ergonomic Fixes02:54 Belly Breathing Reset03:47 Morning Mobility Habits04:06 Factory Feeling Burnout04:33 Redesigning The Role05:04 First Line Of Defense05:18 Be Present Now05:36 Build Life Where You Are

Sleep Apnea, UARS & Tongue Ties: Airway Red Flags Dentists Shouldn’t Miss (with Dr. Kristen Geist)Whole-body wellness starts in the mouth—and this episode goes straight to the root. Amanda and Heather sit down with Dr. Kristen Geist, a general dentist who shifted her focus to airway, sleep apnea, and adult laser tongue-tie release after her own diagnosis of Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome (UARS). They break down sleep apnea vs. UARS, why traditional screening often misses women, and the red flags hygienists and dentists can spot daily—like dry mouth, clenching/grinding, reflux, headaches, anxiety, and nighttime bathroom trips. Dr. Geist shares practical referral “cheat codes,” explains treatment options from CPAP and oral appliances to expansion and soft palate laser therapy, and highlights why early screening matters. If you’re ready to connect oral health to real-life energy and healing, hit like, subscribe, and share this episode!00:00 Welcome to Functional Roots00:42 Meet Dr Kristen Geist02:43 Her Sleep Struggle04:11 Accidental Sleep Test06:47 Apnea vs UARS08:23 Hidden Symptoms in Women11:07 Reading Sleep Study Scores15:00 Finding Airway Referrals17:48 Self Referral Sleep Testing19:08 Beyond CPAP Options21:44 Airway Screening Workflow25:25 Red Flags in Oral Exams30:51 Mouth Space and Mallampati32:42 Adult Treatment Paths35:19 Expansion Options Overview36:34 Simple Sleep Fixes37:26 Nasal Hygiene Routine39:58 Nasal Inhaler Hacks41:45 Mandibular Expansion Limits44:32 Braces vs Invisalign Debate46:30 Tongue Posture Retention49:08 Adult Tongue Ties Explained52:56 Laser Treatments and Fascia59:19 Where to Find Kristen01:00:57 Retreat and Final Wrap

Amanda and Heather introduce their Functional Roots podcast, focused on holistic, functional, and naturopathic connections between oral health and whole-body wellness, and interview Tricia Rogers, an ASHA-certified speech-language pathologist with nearly 30 years of experience specializing in oral facial myofunctional disorders.

Tricia explains myofunctional therapy as addressing habits and patterns that affect oral-facial muscle rest and function—impacting facial growth, nasal breathing, oral rest posture, chewing, swallowing, and speech—and describes how SLPs and registered dental hygienists can both practice in this space, with SLPs also treating speech clarity and swallowing disorders like dysphagia.

The conversation covers practical red flags and screening ideas for clinicians and parents (mouth breathing, where children chew, open-mouth chewing, dark circles, bedwetting, attention issues, and crowding in primary teeth), plus a simple strategy to train back-molar chewing using Haribo gummy bears and the functional importance of chewing.

Tricia distinguishes oral myofunctional swallowing issues from dysphagia related to neurological or motor conditions (e.g., Parkinson’s, stroke, cerebral palsy) and emphasizes appropriate referral for aspiration risk.

They discuss tongue ties (anterior, posterior/mid ties), lip ties (including lower ties), compensations that can mask restriction, and how tongue posture relates to speech clarity, open bites, and orthodontic relapse, stressing that structure and function must be treated together through interdisciplinary collaboration (orthodontics, ENTs/allergists, bodywork, chiropractors, and myofascial release).

Tricia shares how she uses child-friendly education through her children’s book series Ms. Tongue and Friends—titles including “Ms. Tongue Learns to Rest,” “The Lips Learn to Stay Together,” “Mr. Nose Learns to Breathe,” and “Ms. Tongue Learns to Dance” for lingual frenectomy prep/post support—suggesting books in dental offices and schools to build awareness, and provides a February discount code (Cupid10) and her website and social channels.

The episode closes with takeaways emphasizing collaboration, early intervention rather than “wait and see,” and Tricia’s current reading recommendation, the book “Behind the Smile” by Dr. Donny R. (Donny Rowl).00:00 Welcome to Functional Roots: Whole-Body Wellness Starts in the Mouth00:38 Meet Tricia Rogers, SLP: Why Myofunctional Therapy Matters04:46 Myofunctional Therapy 101: Oral Habits, Airway, and Nasal Breathing09:21 Chewing & Swallowing Red Flags: Back Molars, Mouth-Open Eating, and Training Tips15:30 Dysphagia vs. Myofunctional Swallowing Issues: When It’s a Safety Concern21:20 The ‘Aha’ Case: How Tongue Posture and Breathing Impact Speech Clarity24:11 Tongue Ties & Lip Ties Explained: Assessment, Compensations, and Airway Effects31:45 Myofascial Release + Team-Based Care: Fascia, Posture, and Collaboration38:10 How to Talk to Patients: Simple Screening Talking Points (Mouth Breathing, Chewing, Crowding)50:12 Allergies, Obstruction vs Habit, and the Mouth-Breathing Cycle (Halitosis, Tonsils, Stones)55:15 Tongue Thrust & Ortho Relapse: Why Braces Alone Don’t Fix Function55:46 Tongue Thrust & Braces Relapse: Why Open Bites Come Back57:34 Myofunctional Therapy 101: Resting Posture vs Swallowing Function59:28 Getting Your Practice On Board: Referrals, Airway Awareness & DSO Challenges01:01:55 Tongue Rest Posture Debates: Airway vs Speech Perspectives01:09:17 Ms. Tongue & Friends: Using Kids’ Books to Teach Oral Habits01:16:39 Airway, Decay & Myo Tools: Myo Munchie, Lip Seal, and Nasal Breathing01:19:04 Adult-Friendly Hacks: Ortho Elastic as a Tongue

Welcome to Functional Roots! Dive deep with Amanda, Heather, and the remarkable Dr. Nathan Bryan as they unveil the links between oral health, nitric oxide, and overall wellness.

Learn about Dr. Bryan’s journey, groundbreaking research, and how nitric oxide impacts cardiovascular health, insulin resistance, and more.

Whether you’re a dental professional, wellness enthusiast, or curious about natural health, this episode is packed with insights and practical tips.

Grab your herbal tea and join the conversation! Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share!00:00 Introduction to Functional Roots00:35 Meet Dr. Nathan Bryan: Nitric Oxide Expert03:02 Dr. Bryan's Journey into Nitric Oxide Research05:50 Understanding Nitric Oxide Pathways09:54 The Role of Oral and Gut Microbiome in Nitric Oxide Production11:54 Impact of Lifestyle and Medications on Nitric Oxide14:22 Challenges in Modern Medicine and Dentistry35:49 Chinese Medicine and Nitric Oxide40:02 Discussing the Teeth Mask and Product Evolution40:30 Clinical Testing and Nitric Oxide Measurement41:56 Salivary Test Strips and Oral Health44:14 The Importance of Beneficial Bacteria47:28 Addressing Cardiovascular Disease Through Oral Health48:49 Revisiting Nitric Oxide Strips and Supplementation53:19 Dietary Sources and Challenges of Nitric Oxide57:29 The Role of Processed Foods and Sodium Nitrate01:01:38 Developing Effective Nitric Oxide Supplements01:12:23 Final Thoughts and Upcoming Events

linktr.ee/heatherkenneyrdh

https://heatherkenneyrdh.com/

https://saliva-sleuths.mn.co/landing/

https://intuitive-training-llc.kit.com/b11cc8efe6