The Oral Health-Fertility Link: Root Canals, Mercury & Gum Disease with Dr. Toni
When you think about preparing your body for pregnancy, your first thought probably isn’t: "I should go to the dentist." But after talking with Dr. Toni Engram on the podcast, you might change your mind.
Dr. Engram is a biological dentist and integrative health coach who helps patients understand how oral health impacts the entire body—including fertility, pregnancy outcomes, and hormone balance. In our podcast episode, The Oral Health-Fertility Link: Root Canals, Mercury & Gum Disease, we unpacked how seemingly routine dental issues like gum disease, mercury fillings, and root canals can silently disrupt your body’s most delicate systems.
1. The Oral Microbiome and Hormones
Your mouth is home to over 700 species of bacteria, many of which play important roles in digestion, immune defense, and even hormone regulation. When the oral microbiome is in balance, these bacteria help keep inflammation down and maintain a strong first line of defense. But when there's oral dysbiosis (an imbalance of oral bacteria), pathogens can overgrow and spark systemic inflammation.
This inflammation doesn’t stay in the mouth. It can suppress the immune system, increase cortisol, and impair communication between your brain and ovaries. Some oral bacteria even produce beta-glucuronidase, an enzyme that recycles estrogen your liver was trying to excrete—leading to excess circulating estrogen, also known as estrogen dominance.
2. Root Canals, Cavitations & Chronic Infections
One of the most eye-opening parts of our conversation with Dr. Engram was her explanation of what may be lingering beneath the surface of a root canal. Root canals are meant to preserve teeth, but they can sometimes trap bacteria deep inside the tooth where blood flow can no longer reach. This allows an anaerobic infection to persist silently, triggering chronic immune activation.
These hidden infections—often referred to as cavitations—are incredibly difficult to detect through traditional exams or x-rays. Yet they may be contributing to systemic inflammation, toxin load, and autoimmunity—factors that are all known to reduce fertility.
3. Mercury Fillings and Toxin Burden
If you have "silver" fillings, you may be carrying a significant amount of mercury in your mouth. Mercury is a neurotoxin and endocrine disruptor, and chronic exposure from dental amalgams can lead to accumulation in the brain, liver, kidneys, and reproductive organs. Mercury impairs detox pathways, increases oxidative stress, and can interfere with thyroid and sex hormone production.
Dr. Engram shared how she uses the SMART protocol to safely remove amalgam fillings in a way that minimizes mercury exposure to both the patient and provider. Detoxifying safely is key—especially in the preconception phase.
4. Gum Disease, Inflammation & Miscarriage Risk
Gum disease (also known as periodontitis) isn't just a cosmetic issue. It’s an inflammatory condition that has been linked to increased risk of miscarriage, preterm birth, and low birth weight. Bacteria from the mouth can travel into the bloodstream and lodge in the placenta, disrupting oxygen and nutrient delivery to the fetus.
One of the most shocking facts? Many women with periodontitis don’t have obvious symptoms. That’s why regular assessments with a biological dentist can make such a difference before pregnancy.
5. What You Can Do Right Now
Dr. Engram recommends starting with awareness. Know what’s in your mouth, what materials have been used, and whether you have any signs of gum disease or unresolved dental work. She also encourages:
Switching to fluoride-free, hydroxyapatite-based toothpaste
Avoiding xylitol, triclosan, and SLS in oral care products
Using gentle oral rinses that support the oral microbiome
Working with a biological or integrative dentist who understands how oral health impacts the rest of the body
🎧 Listen to the Full Episode
You can find our podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
Your mouth is not separate from your hormones. It’s part of the whole story.
Let’s start treating it that way. 😊