The mouth can offer important clues about what’s happening throughout the body. Jill Sirko joins us to unpack the relationship between oral health and women’s systemic health, including the influence of hormones, inflammation, and the oral microbiome. We explore why women may experience distinct oral-health challenges across different life stages, and what a more integrated approach to health could look like.

Jill Sirko, PhD, co-founded KaiAvora Health with the goal of making oral health science central to the broader conversation around whole-body health. She brings a unique combination of expertise in research, science communication, healthcare advocacy, and systems innovation, with nearly two decades of experience working across academia, nonprofit leadership, and healthcare organizations.

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In this episode of Let's Get Oral, we sit down with Dr. Keith Kirkwood, DDS, PhD, to explore the science behind periodontal disease, why inflammation can lead to irreversible bone loss, and what clinicians and patients need to know to protect long-term oral health.

Dr. Kirkwood shares insights into the biological mechanisms that drive periodontal destruction, the latest advances in diagnosis and treatment, and how emerging research is shaping the future of periodontal care. Whether you're a dental professional, student, or simply interested in the connection between oral health and overall wellness, this conversation offers practical takeaways and an inside look at one of dentistry's most important challenges.

What does oral hygiene look like in 2026?

In this episode, we sit down with The Mouth Lab co-founders Angelina Geon and Jazmin Platero to discuss how saliva testing can reveal what's happening in the mouth and beyond. The Mouth Lab offers at-home saliva and blood-spot tests that map the bacteria, viruses, and inflammation driving your bleeding gums, bad breath, recurring cavities, or unresolved oral issues.

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What does oral hygiene look like in 2026?

In this episode, we chat with Barbara Tritz about her journey as a biological dental hygienist and what motivates her to dedicate her career to helping patients and other hygienists to embrace their greatest potential. With a lifelong passion for science and an unwavering commitment to patient care, Barbara has carved a niche for herself as a registered dental hygienist, certified biological hygienist, and orofacial myofunctional therapist.

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Happy Spring LGO fam!

We continue our conversation about oral immunity with Dr. Marcelo Freire, a leader in inflammation and microbiome-related pathogenicity. As a dual-scientist and clinician, Freire has expertise in oral medicine, periodontology, and craniofacial biology. His scientific innovations focus on investigating biological deficiencies in chronic diseases.

Dr. Freire is currently the President of the Clinical and Translational Science Network Group at IADR and has a passion for translating scientific innovations to health care.

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Your immune system starts in your mouth!

In this episode of Let’s Get Oral, we break down how saliva, gums, and the oral microbiome work as your body’s first line of defense — and what happens when that system goes off balance. From inflammation and gum disease to whole-body immune connections, this is the immunity conversation you didn’t know your dentist was having.

Keep smilin' everyone!

Happy holidays LGO fam!

Our final episode of 2025 focuses on the transformative journey of Dr. Thad Connelly, a distinguished oral and maxillofacial surgeon dedicated to delivering personalized oral health solutions. This convo includes insights from his academic pursuits, his adventures in venture capital, and what he's building with Gengyve USA.

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Hi Perio Peeps! This episode continues our conversation with Dr. Michael Glogauer (episode 4) as he shares his journey with PerioMonitor™ and the role probiotics can play in balancing the immune response with the oral microbiome.

Dr. Glogauer is an entrepreneurial clinician-scientist specializing in inflammation, the microbiome, and cancer. He is a Professor at the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto, and co-founder of Ostia Sciences Inc., a biotech startup specializing in the development of beneficial microbes that play a crucial role in fighting infectious diseases and enhancing immune function.

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