• The Connection Between Leaky Gut Syndrome & Sleep
    Aug 13 2025

    The Connection Between Leaky Gut Syndrome & Sleep


    In this episode, we discuss the potential causes of chronic pain, focusing on the complex relationship between digestive health and conditions like headache, jaw, and facial pain. The discussion includes the case of a patient with chronic pain exacerbated by obstructive sleep apnea and digestive issues. The podcast highlights the role of leaky gut syndrome in systemic inflammation, reflex bruxism, and the connection between gut health and neurotransmitter production. Practical advice on improving gut health through nutrition, probiotics, and reducing sympathetic triggers is provided. The episode aims to enhance understanding of how treating the gut can contribute to resolving chronic craniofacial pain.


    01:22 Case Study: Chronic Pain and Sleep Apnea

    03:30 Exploring Leaky Gut Syndrome

    07:02 Treatment Approaches for Leaky Gut

    10:36 Understanding Leaky Gut Syndrome

    14:46 Gut Health and Pain Connection

    16:02 Conclusion and Final Thoughts


    If you found this episode valuable, share it with a colleague or friend who wants to breathe better, sleep deeper, and live healthier. Your support helps us expand the conversation around airway-focused care and whole-body wellness.

    Together, we can move dentistry beyond the chair.


    Michael Bennett, DDS, PhD

    Board-Certified Dentist | Healthcare Professions Educator

    Empowering total health through airway-focused dentistry


    Advanced Dental Care – Dr. Bennett’s clinical practice and patient-centered services

    Connect on LinkedIn – Join the movement for airway-first, total health dentistry


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    17 mins
  • Top Sleep Disorder Questions Every Dentist Should Ask Patients
    Jul 15 2025

    Top Sleep Disorder Questions Every Dentist Should Ask Patients


    In this episode, Dr. Michael Bennett and Cathy discuss the vital role dental professionals play in screening for sleep disorders like sleep apnea. They emphasize the ease and ethical importance of incorporating sleep-related questions into routine dental visits, similar to blood pressure or oral cancer checks. Various indicators such as scalloped tongues, high-vaulted palates, and behavioral cues in children are highlighted. The episode also covers practical tools like the STOP-BANG questionnaire and Epworth Sleepiness Score for effective screening. Additionally, the hosts talk about the impact of diet, hydration, and proper meal timing on sleep quality. They conclude with a teaser for the next episode focused on understanding the anatomy of the airway.


    00:49 Importance of Sleep Screening

    01:18 Screening Techniques and Indicators

    04:28 Behavioral and Physical Signs

    05:53 Screening Tools and Questionnaires

    09:23 Nutritional Impact on Sleep

    11:27 Personal Experiences and Final Thoughts

    13:25 Conclusion and Next Episode Preview


    Michael Bennett, DDS, PhD

    Board-Certified Dentist | Healthcare Professions Educator

    Empowering total health through airway-focused dentistry


    Advanced Dental Care – Dr. Bennett’s clinical practice and patient-centered services

    Connect on LinkedIn – Join the movement for airway-first, total health dentistry


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    14 mins
  • How Undiagnosed Sleep Apnea Is Hiding in Your Dental Chair
    Jul 9 2025

    How Undiagnosed Sleep Apnea Is Hiding in Your Dental Chair


    In this episode, Dr. Michael Bennett and Cathy Bennett introduce a new series on the interconnectedness of airway health and overall wellness, particularly focusing on the importance of dental screenings for sleep-related breathing disorders. The discussion highlights the significance of dental health as a gateway to detecting sleep apnea, which often goes undiagnosed and can lead to severe health consequences like Alzheimer's, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and more. They stress the role of dentists in early detection and the benefits of treating sleep apnea for improved healthcare outcomes. The episode underscores the barriers dentists face in incorporating sleep screening into their practice and the need for a team-oriented approach to overcome these challenges. Finally, they advocate for rebranding dental hygiene exams as comprehensive wellness screenings to better serve patient health.


    00:44 The Importance of Dental Visits for Health Screening

    01:30 Identifying Sleep-Related Breathing Disorders

    03:35 The Silent Epidemic of Undiagnosed Sleep Apnea

    06:10 Economic and Health Impacts of Sleep Disorders

    06:58 Barriers to Dental Screening for Sleep Disorders

    09:57 The Role of Dentists in Sleep Disorder Screening

    12:47 Holistic Wellness and the Importance of Sleep

    15:56 Conclusion: Implementing Sleep Screenings in Dental Practice


    Michael Bennett, DDS, PhD

    Board-Certified Dentist | Healthcare Professions Educator

    Empowering total health through airway-focused dentistry


    Advanced Dental Care – Dr. Bennett’s clinical practice and patient-centered services

    Connect on LinkedIn – Join the movement for airway-first, total health dentistry


    Show More Show Less
    18 mins
  • A Neurologist’s View on Sleep with Dr. Stasha Gominak
    Jul 3 2025

    A Neurologist’s View on Sleep with Dr. Stasha Gominak


    In this engaging podcast episode, Dr. Michael Bennett invites Dr. Stasha Gominak to discuss their shared passion for leveraging the body’s healing properties of sleep. Dr. Gominak shares her journey from being a neurologist to becoming a sleep coach, highlighting the unique relationships she discovered between sleep and overall health. She delves into how deficiencies in vitamin D and B, as well as the microbiome, affect sleep quality and suggests practical interventions. Dr. Gominak also discusses how sleep dentistry practitioners can integrate these concepts into their practices to improve patient outcomes. The episode concludes with Dr. Bennett and Dr. Gominak reflecting on the importance of patient-centered care and pushing through professional challenges to innovate in their respective fields.


    01:11 Dr. Stasha Mak's Background

    01:54 Transition from Neurology to Sleep Coaching

    02:25 Insights from Sleep Dentists

    04:56 The Importance of Human Connection in Medicine

    06:06 Energy Coaches and Spiritual Connection

    07:05 New Ideas in Medicine and Intention Setting

    09:10 Challenges and Rewards of Sleep Coaching

    11:24 Patient Stories and Discoveries in Sleep Medicine

    12:26 Exploring Sleep Disorders and Treatments

    16:18 The Role of Brain Chemistry in Sleep

    25:52 Vitamin Deficiencies and Sleep

    28:05 The Importance of Vitamin D

    31:35 The Importance of Vitamin D in Hormonal Balance

    32:31 The Pioneering Work of Walter Stump

    37:05 The Impact of Vitamin D on Sleep and Immunity

    39:08 Challenges in Vitamin D Research and Application

    49:25 The Role of Microbiome and B Vitamins

    56:34 Integrating Vitamin D and Microbiome Knowledge in Practice

    01:06:14 Future Directions and Final Thoughts


    If you found this episode valuable, share it with a colleague or friend who wants to breathe better, sleep deeper, and live healthier. Your support helps us expand the conversation around airway-focused care and whole-body wellness.

    Together, we can move dentistry beyond the chair.


    Michael Bennett, DDS, PhD

    Board-Certified Dentist | Healthcare Professions Educator

    Empowering total health through airway-focused dentistry


    Advanced Dental Care – Dr. Bennett’s clinical practice and patient-centered services

    Connect on LinkedIn – Join the movement for airway-first, total health dentistry


    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 8 mins
  • Answers from an E.N.T. Perspective with Dr. Kirt Beus
    Jun 26 2025

    Answers from an E.N.T. Perspective with Dr. Kirt Beus


    In this podcast episode, Dr. Michael Bennett welcomes his colleague and friend, Dr. Kirk Beus, to discuss their collaborative work in treating patients' airway and oral health issues. Dr. Beus shares his journey into becoming an ENT and his focus on less invasive treatments for nasal and thyroid issues. The discussion emphasizes the importance of nasal breathing for proper facial development in children and how issues such as crowded teeth and TMJ disorders can be linked to airway problems. They also touch on the role of nutrition in nasal congestion and the benefits of a holistic approach in combined dental and ENT practices. The episode concludes with practical advice for professionals and the public on maintaining better nasal and ear health.


    01:00 Dr. Beus's Journey to ENT

    01:45 Advancements in ENT Treatments

    02:25 The Connection Between Dental Crowding and Airway Issues

    07:07 The Role of Nutrition in Facial Development

    12:12 TMJ Disorders and Ear Symptoms

    15:13 Ear Health Tips and COVID-19 Considerations

    17:28 Conclusion and Key Takeaways


    If you found this episode valuable, share it with a colleague or friend who wants to breathe better, sleep deeper, and live healthier. Your support helps us expand the conversation around airway-focused care and whole-body wellness.

    Together, we can move dentistry beyond the chair.


    Michael Bennett, DDS, PhD

    Board-Certified Dentist | Healthcare Professions Educator

    Empowering total health through airway-focused dentistry


    Advanced Dental Care – Dr. Bennett’s clinical practice and patient-centered services

    Connect on LinkedIn – Join the movement for airway-first, total health dentistry


    Show More Show Less
    21 mins
  • Sleep and Airway Centered Dentistry with Dr. Lyly Fisher
    Jun 19 2025

    Sleep and Airway Centered Dentistry with Dr. Lyly Fisher


    In this podcast episode, Dr. Michael Bennett converses with Dr. Lyly Fisher, a dentist practicing in Renton, Washington. They delve into Dr. Fisher's career journey, starting with her practice over 26 years ago, and discuss her decision to go out of network with Delta Dental to maintain a personal touch with her patients. The conversation highlights Dr. Fisher's integration of the Vivos system and her growing focus on airway and sleep-centered care. They explore the importance of understanding the root causes of dental issues, linking them to overall health, and the potential for dentists to address broader health concerns due to their frequent patient interactions. The discussion also touches on the evolving role of dentists as oral physicians, working in coordination with medical professionals to improve patient wellness and prevent chronic diseases.


    01:18 Dr. Fisher's Background and Practice

    02:08 Challenges and Changes in Dental Practice

    03:35 Exploring Airway and Sleep-Centered Dentistry

    07:16 Patient Success Stories

    11:49 The Role of Dentists in General Health

    16:03 Future of Dentistry and Collaborative Care

    21:49 Advice for Dentists and General Public

    26:54 Conclusion and Farewell


    If you found this episode valuable, share it with a colleague or friend who wants to breathe better, sleep deeper, and live healthier. Your support helps us expand the conversation around airway-focused care and whole-body wellness.

    Together, we can move dentistry beyond the chair.


    Michael Bennett, DDS, PhD

    Board-Certified Dentist | Healthcare Professions Educator

    Empowering total health through airway-focused dentistry


    Advanced Dental Care – Dr. Bennett’s clinical practice and patient-centered services

    Connect on LinkedIn – Join the movement for airway-first, total health dentistry


    Show More Show Less
    27 mins
  • Want Less Injuries? Get More Sleep!
    Jun 12 2025

    Want Less Injuries? Get More Sleep!


    In this episode, Dr. Michael Bennett and his wife Kathy discuss the crucial importance of sleep for athletes and how chronic sleep deprivation significantly increases the risk of sports injuries, particularly in adolescent athletes. Citing recent studies, they emphasize that athletes who get less than eight hours of sleep are 1.7 times more likely to be injured. They also explore various strategies for improving sleep quality and quantity, including cognitive behavioral therapy techniques, nasal breathing, and environmental adjustments. Drawing on personal experiences and scientific insights, they underscore the vital role of sleep in overall health, immunity, and recovery from injuries.


    01:07 The Importance of Sleep for Athletes

    01:48 Study on Sleep Deprivation and Sports Injuries

    03:59 Recommended Sleep Duration for Teenagers

    06:00 Personal Experiences with Sleep and Injuries

    09:12 Healing Properties of Sleep

    13:15 Techniques for Improving Sleep Quality

    15:29 Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia

    23:34 Final Thoughts and Recommendations


    If you found this episode valuable, share it with a colleague or friend who wants to breathe better, sleep deeper, and live healthier. Your support helps us expand the conversation around airway-focused care and whole-body wellness.

    Together, we can move dentistry beyond the chair.


    Michael Bennett, DDS, PhD

    Board-Certified Dentist | Healthcare Professions Educator

    Empowering total health through airway-focused dentistry


    Advanced Dental Care – Dr. Bennett’s clinical practice and patient-centered services

    Connect on LinkedIn – Join the movement for airway-first, total health dentistry


    Show More Show Less
    26 mins
  • I've Tried Everything..Why Am I So Tired All The Time?
    Jun 5 2025

    I've Tried Everything..Why Am I So Tired All The Time?


    In this episode, Dr. Michael Bennett discusses his shift from dentistry to treating breathing disorders such as snoring, sleep apnea, and upper airway resistance syndrome (UARS). He explores the case of a 13-year-old female with chronic fatigue, headaches, and other symptoms potentially linked to UARS. Dr. Bennett elaborates on the significance of quality sleep for healing and how UARS can disrupt sleep patterns, leading to various health issues. The episode highlights diagnosis methods, symptoms, and treatment options for UARS, emphasizing the importance of good airway health and its broader implications on overall well-being.


    01:09 Case Study: 13-Year-Old with Chronic Pain

    03:44 Understanding Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome (UARS)

    09:21 Symptoms and Diagnosis of UARS

    12:50 Impact of UARS on Overall Health

    22:14 Treatment Options for UARS

    25:34 Conclusion and Final Thoughts


    If you found this episode valuable, share it with a colleague or friend who wants to breathe better, sleep deeper, and live healthier. Your support helps us expand the conversation around airway-focused care and whole-body wellness.

    Together, we can move dentistry beyond the chair.


    Michael Bennett, DDS, PhD

    Board-Certified Dentist | Healthcare Professions Educator

    Empowering total health through airway-focused dentistry


    Advanced Dental Care – Dr. Bennett’s clinical practice and patient-centered services

    Connect on LinkedIn – Join the movement for airway-first, total health dentistry


    Show More Show Less
    29 mins