How Your Mouth Could Be Keeping You Sick: Root Canals, Cavitations & Airway Health with Dr Michelle Jorgensen

Dr. Michelle Jorgensen joins the Gutsy Health Podcast to discuss the potential connection between oral health and chronic health issues. The conversation covers root canals, cavitations, gum disease, mercury exposure, fungal issues in the mouth, and the importance of CBCT scans. They also explore airway health, sleep apnea, oxygen supply, sleep quality, and their possible relationship with symptoms such as poor concentration and ADHD-like symptoms. Dr. Michelle closes by introducing the Living Well Project, a research initiative focused on using the mouth as a window into overall health. Timestamps 00:01 — Why oral health may be an overlooked part of chronic illness  01:26 — Juanique’s chronic illness and recovery story  06:36 — Dr. Michelle’s mercury poisoning story  09:59 — How her experience changed her approach to dentistry  13:04 — The “overflowing bathtub” analogy for chronic illness  14:53 — Multiple root causes and the mouth’s role in health  17:10 — Root canals and the tooth–body connection  20:00 — Juanique’s experience with a root canal and neurological symptoms  21:46 — What cavitations are and how they develop  25:56 — CIRS, mold exposure, and hidden oral infections  27:48 — Fungus, antibiotics, mouthwash, and the oral microbiome  30:16 — Geographic tongue and tongue scraping  32:41 — Oral health as a potential missing piece in chronic illness  35:08 — Health conditions Dr. Michelle associates with oral infections  37:24 — CBCT scans and what to look for  39:18 — How to find and vet a biological dentist  40:22 — Airway health, ADHD, sleep apnea, and myofascial issues  41:54 — The “mouth as a garage” airway analogy  45:42 — Deep sleep, memory, healing, and oxygen  46:38 — Airway treatment options for children and adults  50:20 — Poor sleep, oxygen deprivation, and nervous system symptoms  52:02 — Breathing problems that may resemble ADHD symptoms  53:40 — Oral infections and airway health as foundational considerations  54:50 — The Living Well Project and upcoming research  57:01 — Where to find Dr. Michelle and her educational content Links & Resources Mentioned Living Well with Dr. Michelle: livingwellwithdrmichelle.com — includes a dentist directory. IAOMT: IAOMT.org IABDM: IABDM.org  Living Well with Dr. Michelle — Instagram and YouTube Connect: Gutsy Health Website / Gutsy Academy: My Gutsy Health — the episode discusses the Gutsy Academy and its future membership format. The official site currently houses Gutsy Health resources. Gutsy Health Podcast: Gutsy Health Podcast Gutsy Health Podcast Instagram: @gutsyhealthpodcast Send us Fan Mail