Performance Dentistry: Airway, Sleep, and the NFL with Dr. Chad Kasperowski

In this episode of the Dental Slang Podcast, Dr. Reza Ardalan sits down with Dr. Chad Kasperowski, a clinician whose career spans surgery, implants, airway, wellness dentistry, and digital workflows. He also serves as the team dentist for the Washington Commanders. Dr. Kasperowski shares how his early experiences shaped a philosophy rooted in whole‑body wellness, advanced diagnostics, and truly listening to patients. He breaks down why airway issues are hiding in plain sight, how oral inflammation affects systemic health and athletic recovery, and what he's learned from treating some of the most elite athletes in the world. They also dive deep into mouthguards, from youth sports trauma to the future of AI‑designed, 3D‑printed protection. Key takeaways from this episode: Wellness dentistry is a mindset, not a specialty. Advanced diagnostics reveal systemic factors that influence oral outcomes. Airway issues are everywhere, and once you learn to see them, they're impossible to ignore. Elite athletes don't always have elite oral health and dental anxiety is common. Oral inflammation contributes to systemic inflammation, affecting recovery and performance. Custom mouthguards improve compliance because they're comfortable and retentive. The future of mouthguards is digital: AI‑designed, 3D‑printed, and potentially sensor‑enabled. Prevention is the best dentistry, whether through airway intervention, inflammation control or mouthguards. If you're looking to elevate your wellness approach, rethink your role in patients' overall health, or simply hear a fascinating behind‑the‑scenes look at dentistry in the NFL, this episode is a must‑listen.