Hi friend,
Welcome to the very first issue of Dental Fitness Pillars! If you’ve ever thought of dental care as something you only do when you have to, you’re not alone. But here’s the thing: your mouth isn’t just a sideshow in your health—it’s central to how you live, think, breathe, move, and even connect with other people.
That’s what I mean when I say dental fitness.
The Four Types of Dental Patients
Over the years, I’ve noticed that most people fall into one of four categories when they walk into my practice and sit in my dental chair:
Firefighters – They only show up when there’s pain or an emergency. A toothache, a broken filling, bleeding gums—that’s when they rush in.
Upkeepers – They do the basics: cleanings every six months, brush twice a day, maybe floss when they remember. They value prevention, but mostly at the surface level.
Glow Getters – They’re focused on looks. A whiter smile, straighter teeth, fresher breath. Nothing wrong with that—it’s motivating! But it often leaves deeper issues unaddressed.
Peak Performers – This is the group I want to grow. They see dental health not as an afterthought, but as a foundation for everything else—better energy, sharper thinking, stronger immunity, deeper sleep, even confidence in relationships and performance at work.
Most people live in the first three groups. But if you’re reading this newsletter, I’m guessing you want more. You’re not satisfied with just fixing problems when they come up, or skating by with the bare minimum. You want your health—your mouth included—to fuel your best life. That’s the mindset of a Peak Performer.
The four types of dental patients.
Why “Dental Fitness”?
Think about it: when you go to the gym, your goal isn’t just to avoid getting weaker. You’re there to build strength, improve endurance, and perform at your best. That’s what I want you to do with your mouth.
Dental fitness is about training your oral health the same way you’d train your body. It’s not just brushing harder or booking another cleaning—it’s creating an environment in your mouth that supports your entire performance machine: body and mind.
Because here’s the truth:
Infections in your gums can set off inflammation that weakens your immune system.
Crowded or misaligned teeth can narrow your airway and cut down your oxygen intake, leaving you tired even after a full night of sleep.
Harmful bacteria in your mouth can affect your brain, your metabolism, even your focus at work.
Your mouth is part of central command. Ignore it, and you compromise everything from physical stamina to mental clarity. Train it, and you gain an edge in every area of life.
Beyond Athletics: Performance in Every Arena
When I say performance, I don’t just mean athletic performance. Sure, athletes benefit when dental fitness helps them breathe better, recover faster, and avoid injuries. But peak performance also shows up in places like:
The boardroom, where your confidence and clarity matter.
The classroom, where focus and energy fuel learning.
The living room, when you’re playing with your kids or engaging with loved ones.
The quiet moments, when good sleep restores your mind and body.
Peak performance means bringing your best self to whatever matters most in your life—and your mouth plays a bigger role in that than most people realize.
What’s Next
Dental fitness isn’t built on one habit or one product—it’s a framework. The Five Pillars draw on the biological, structural, and even psychological dimensions of dental health. Together, they give you a roadmap for turning your mouth into a true performance asset.
In the next issue, I’ll introduce you to these Five Pillars and show you how they work together.
Until then, notice how your mouth feels today—and imagine how much more it could do for you tomorrow.
Strong mouth. Strong body. Strong life.
— Dr. Camesia O. Matthews