Beyond brushing: why oral health deserves a seat at the wellness table, with Elizabeth Peters

When we think about oral health, most of us think about brushing, flossing, and avoiding cavities. But what if the health of your mouth could influence your overall health and well being?In this episode, we're joined by Elizabeth Peters, a board certified Lifestyle Medicine Professional, to explore the fascinating connection between oral health and whole-person health.With more than 30 years working closely with clients as a dental hygienist and earning a graduate degree in public health, Elizabeth has expanded her focus beyond oral health to support overall wellbeing. She now helps individuals make sustainable lifestyle changes through her work as a health and wellness coach and educator.Elizabeth explains how the mouth is not an isolated part of the body but a gateway to overall health. We discuss how lifestyle factors such as nutrition, stress management, physical activity, and other pillars of lifestyle medicine can influence oral health, inflammation, and risk of disease.We also dive into emerging research linking oral bacteria to chronic conditions, including Alzheimer's disease, and discuss why oral health professionals are increasingly recognising their role in supporting broader health outcomes.Whether you're interested in prevention, healthy ageing, nutrition, or simply understanding your body better, this conversation highlights why oral health plays an integral part of the health discussion.To find out more and contact Elizabeth:⁠https://preventionistas.com/For Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine Conference tickets:https://nlmc.org.uk/nlmc-2026/nlmc26-live/If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, and sharing it with someone who may be interested in learning more too. If you'd like to support our work and be part of a growing community of like-minded people working towards creating a healthier and more sustainable future please join the Plant-Based Health Professionals UK following the link below:https://plantbasedhealthprofessionals.com/membershipYou don't have to be a health care professional to join, but by doing so you’re not only supporting our work, you'll be improving your own health;  with membership starting from as little as £15 a year, join us now and be part of the change you want to see.