Dr. Seth Gilson, The Mindful Doctor

09/25/2026

Season 2 of The Mindful Doctor Podcast is here! 🎙️

I’ve been looking forward to sharing this conversation with my friend Dr. Griffin Cole.

What We Had to Unlearn About Dentistry gets into the questions that changed how we practice, the uncertainty of doing things differently, and why taking time to really listen to patients matters so much to both of us.

I’d love for you to watch or listen, whether you’re curious about your own health or rethinking the way you care for others.

▶️ Watch or listen here:
https://mindful.doctor/dr-griffin-cole

You can also find it on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and other podcast platforms.

Let me know what stays with you after listening. Thank you for being here and being part of this new season! 💙

When Dr. Griffin Cole took his first dental job, his new boss had o...

06/02/2026

Gum disease isn’t just a dental problem.

It’s a microbiome problem. 🦠🦷

For decades, the standard approach has been to remove plaque and tartar through cleanings and deep cleanings. And while that’s important, it doesn’t tell us why the disease is occurring.

What if we could identify the specific bacteria driving the inflammation?

That’s where oral microbiome testing comes in.

At our office, we use the Bristle test to analyze the bacteria living in your mouth. Instead of guessing, we can better understand:
✔ Which harmful bacteria are present
✔ Your risk for gum disease and cavities
✔ Sources of chronic inflammation
✔ Potential links to systemic health concerns
✔ How to personalize your treatment plan

Think of it this way:

If your garden isn't thriving, you don't just trim the weeds. 🌱

You look at the soil.

The oral microbiome is the soil of the mouth.

When harmful bacteria begin to dominate, the ecosystem becomes dysbiotic, inflammation increases, gums bleed, and over time bone loss can occur.

Addressing gum disease holistically means:
🪥 Daily flossing
👅 Tongue cleaning
🥗 Nutrient-dense nutrition
🦠 Supporting a healthy microbiome
💧 Hydration
👃 Nasal breathing
🧑‍⚕️ Professional periodontal care
🔬 Understanding the bacteria involved

The future of dentistry isn't just cleaning teeth.

It's understanding the ecosystem they're living in.

Get a special discount 👉 with code MINDFULDOCTOR / MINDFULDR (Link in Bio)

05/19/2026

Bleeding gums are NOT normal. 🩸

And they’re definitely not a reason to stop flossing.

Bleeding gums are a sign of inflammation — your body communicating that something is out of balance.

Most often, this starts with bacterial buildup around the gums, which creates inflammation and can shift the oral environment into a dysbiotic state — meaning the harmful bacteria begin to outnumber the beneficial ones.

That imbalance can lead to gingivitis (which is often reversible when addressed early).

If ignored, it can progress into periodontitis — a more advanced inflammatory disease involving deeper infection, attachment loss, and bone loss.

Your mouth is an ecosystem.

And when that ecosystem becomes dysbiotic, it doesn’t just affect your gums — it can influence your oral microbiome, inflammation levels, and even broader systemic health.

Common contributors:
🦠 Plaque and bacterial buildup
👄 Mouth breathing / dry mouth
🥗 Nutritional deficiencies
🍭 Sugar + ultra-processed foods
😮‍💨 Chronic stress
💧 Poor hydration
🪥 Inconsistent hygiene

So what should you do?

Not stop flossing.

Floss MORE. Better. Daily.

Yes, gums may bleed at first if they’re inflamed. But with consistent care, healthy tissue often becomes stronger and bleeding improves.

Support healing with:
✔ Daily flossing
✔ Tongue cleaning
✔ Nasal breathing
✔ Better hydration
✔ Fiber-rich nutrition
✔ Oral microbiome support
✔ Professional cleanings / periodontal evaluation when needed

Bleeding gums are an early warning sign.

Listen early.

Health begins in the mouth. ✨

05/16/2026

One of the most overlooked details in modern dentistry? Rubber dam isolation 🦷

It may look simple, but this small barrier can make a BIG difference in the quality and longevity of a restoration.

In biomimetic dentistry, we’re not just “filling teeth.” We’re trying to restore them in a way that mimics nature — preserving strength, function, and as much healthy tooth structure as possible.

But here’s the catch: modern bonding dentistry requires precision.

Saliva, moisture, bacteria, blood… even a tiny bit of contamination can compromise the bond and shorten the life of a restoration.

That’s why rubber dam isolation matters.

It helps us:
✔ Keep the tooth dry for optimal bonding
✔ Reduce bacterial contamination
✔ Improve the seal and longevity of restorations
✔ Protect the patient’s airway
✔ Create a cleaner, safer, more precise working environment

In dentistry, details matter.

A restoration is only as good as the environment it’s placed in.

That’s one of the reasons biomimetic dentistry is different. ✨

Health begins in the mouth.

05/13/2026

Most people only floss when food gets stuck.

That’s like only showering when you can see dirt. 😅

Flossing isn’t about removing random food particles—it’s about disrupting harmful bacterial biofilm between your teeth, where your toothbrush simply can’t reach.

As a holistic dentist, I recommend daily flossing because unhealthy gums don’t just affect your mouth—they can increase inflammation throughout the body.

Daily flossing helps:
🦷 Prevent cavities between teeth
🩸 Reduce gum bleeding & inflammation
🦠 Support a healthier oral microbiome
❤️ Support whole-body health
💸 Save you from costly dental treatment later

2 minutes a day. One of the highest ROI habits for your health.

Health begins in the spaces you don’t see. ✨

OralHealth FunctionalDentistry HealthyHabits

04/22/2026

Story time: When oral surgeons wanted to remove unnecessary teeth.

04/21/2026

Cavities in kids don’t just “happen”…
There’s always a reason 👇

Top 3 causes we see every day:

1️⃣ Poor oral hygiene
Plaque sits → bacteria thrive → enamel breaks down

2️⃣ Nutritional deficiencies
Teeth need minerals to stay strong
Low-quality diet = weaker enamel

3️⃣ Mouth breathing
Dries the mouth → reduces saliva → increases decay risk

—

The good news?
These are all modifiable.
And when you combine the right habits with the right support…
you can prevent—and sometimes even reverse—early cavities.

One of my favorite tools:

🦷 RiseWell Nano Hydroxyapatite Varnish

It helps remineralize enamel and strengthen teeth—
especially when used alongside better hygiene, nutrition, and proper breathing.

✔️ Use it at home
✔️ Or request it at your next cleaning

👉 Claim 10% OFF with code MINDFULDR (link in bio)

04/17/2026

Baby teeth are as important as permanent teeth! 🦷🩵