With social distancing still in effect, my recent visit to the dentist put a little more pep in my step as it was a chance to safely interact with people and be out of the house. However, for many, a dental visit can be more than a satisfying outing, it is fundamental support for their overall health.

This month, our feature article, Whole-Body Dentistry, reveals a vibrant world of oral health options provided by biological, holistic and integrative dentists. This includes an array of options to assist with healing and prevention of inflammation to treatments that can impact heart health, sleep related disorders, anxiety and other conditions. In Whole-Body Dentistry, author Linda Sechrist shares that children born tongue-tied may never expand the palate as it is supposed to, and chronic mouth-breathing can cause anxiety because the nitric oxide receptors located in the nose signal arteries and veins to relax.

“When considering parenthood, it’s doubtful that anyone thinks far into the future to imagine a child’s long-term health problems that might result from decisions made about their teeth even before they appear,” shares Sechrist in Dentistry’s Bigger Picture 

I recently discussed these issues and more with local integrative dental experts in our video series exploring how oral health is connected to whole body health. You can listen to these interviews at myNaturalAwakenings.com/OralHealthVideos.

Nutrition plays a role not just in oral health but overall health as well, explore ways to maximize your garden’s bounty and try some new recipes in our Conscious Eating column. Find five ways to strengthen kids’ immunity in Strong and Healthy and try some cool treat recipes for your cat or dog. Then in our Wise Words interview, we share the perspective of an environmental justice and resource equity leader in Healing America Through Social Justice. For more great articles, visit our website for this month’s online exclusives and discover how the air is getting cleaner around the globe in the Upside of Lockdowns. Then enjoy meditative steps for well-being in Mindful Walking.

Here’s to a healthy mouth and body!

Kris Urquhart, Publisher