What if the secret to better health, longevity, and even brain function started with your mouth and nose?

In this episode of Vital Stuff, Dr. Gail Lebovic sits down with Dr. Mariangela Verano, a dentist whose career journey led her beyond teeth into the world of sleep, breathing, and whole-body health.

Together, they uncover the surprising ways oral health, nasal breathing, and even diet shape not just our smiles - but our entire well-being.

Dr. Verano shares how the shift from ancestral diets to modern processed foods has altered our jaws, teeth, and airways, why nasal hygiene is as essential as brushing your teeth, and how inflammation in the gums can ripple through the body to impact the heart, brain, and beyond.

You’ll learn:

• How oral health impacts systemic health and inflammation

• The link between nasal breathing, nitric oxide, and immune function

• Why fluoride remains controversial, and what alternatives exist

• How diet and chewing shape facial structure and airway health

• Practical tips for healthier teeth, gums, and breathing every day

  
  

About Dr. Mariangela Verano

Dr. Verano is a UCSF-trained dentist based in Reno, Nevada, specializing in a multidisciplinary approach that integrates dentistry, sleep medicine, and breathing health.

With a passion sparked by her own family’s struggles, she advocates for individualized care that looks far beyond cavities- focusing on the root causes of oral and airway health challenges.

🎧 New episodes of Vital Stuff drop every other Thursday.
Follow Dr. Gail on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/gaillebovic