Why My Dentist Thinks I Floss Daily (I Don’t)

And how a £2 roll of tape made that possible.

I went from three cavities a year to zero in the past four years.

No, I didn’t change my toothpaste. I still use the same fluoride-free ones I’ve always used.

Every time I went to the dentist, they told me to floss more. I hated it, but I did it anyway because I thought I had to. Now, whenever I go in, they say “you must be flossing regularly.” I’m not. At all. (I probably shouldn’t admit that on the internet, but thankfully no child is reading this.)

We’ve been taught cavities are about sugar, not flossing enough, brushing too fast. And sure, those things matter. But the root cause often comes down to your oral microbiome and saliva flow, both of which are massively affected by how you breathe.

So, how do you improve your oral hygiene?

Keep your mouth shut.
I mean only at night 🤐

Mouth taping changed my dental health completely.
And honestly, it changed way more than just that.

What happens when you sleep with your mouth open:

• Mouth dries out

• Saliva drops

• Acidity rises

• Enamel breaks down

• Bacteria thrive

• Cavities form

Nasal breathing keeps your mouth moist, your saliva flowing, and your oral pH more balanced. It protects your teeth in a way toothpaste never could.

Nasal breathing also helps your posture.

Nasal breathing supports better tongue position. Your tongue rests against the roof of your mouth, which supports your facial structure and jaw function. Less tension. Better alignment. Fewer issues in the neck, shoulders, and even pelvis.

Yes, really. There’s a strong connection between jaw alignment and pelvic stability. So in a roundabout way, mouth taping also helped my hips. Read more on this here.

Other benefits I’ve experienced (and many of my clients too):

• Deeper sleep. I don’t call myself a light sleeper anymore. Most days, I wake up rested.

• Facial symmetry. My jaw looks more defined, my face more balanced.

• Cardio improvements. I don’t huff and puff nearly as much.

And my marriage?

Also improved.
Because my husband stopped snoring.

He hated knowing he’d wake me up, so he gave mouth taping a try. After a couple of weeks, he was so quiet in his sleep that I woke him up just to check if he was still breathing. True story!!

He started with nasal strips because his nose was congested, then added mouth tape. After a week, he didn’t need the strips anymore. His allergy symptoms also got way better. Now he’s convinced my parents to mouth tape too! I consider that a success :)

There are lots of fancy mouth tapes out there now (thanks to Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art hype), but we still use a £2 roll of 3M surgical tape. It works.

I filmed a short video showing exactly how I apply it. You can watch it here:

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👁️ What your body has been trying to tell you?

The way we hold ourselves matters. Not just because of how it looks. But because it shapes how we live, how we relate, and what we’re capable of imagining. Let your body speak. Let it interrupt the collective war and offer you a new way of being entirely.

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Client’s Unconditioning ↓

If you feel called to re-pattern your body, regulate your nervous system, and reclaim your power, I invite you to book The Alignment Diagnostic call with me: https://tidycal.com/hedishah/the-alignment-diagnostic

During this session, we’ll assess your body’s current state, uncover hidden imbalances, and create a personalized movement plan to help you shift from tension into alignment.

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Offerings↓ ↓

꩜ Embodied Monthly Reset

Nov 26 . Wednesday . 3 pm GMT

Add to your calendar

These sessions are designed to release the stress you have been carrying, reconnect with your body’s wisdom, and step into the new month with clarity and intention. In the final week of each month, we will come together for:

• Nonlinear movement to shake off tension and emotional residue

• Guided reflection to integrate what the month brought

• Intentional planning to meet the next cycle grounded and resourced

This is about returning to your center, unconditioning yourself from systems built to keep you small, and living a sovereign life. Come as you are.

Leave lighter, clearer, and more connected.

Prepration:

- Wear comfy clothes

- Have plenty of space to move around

- Bring a pen and paper

Duration: 45-60 mins

Where: Insight Timer

Cost: Free or donation-based

Thank you for joining me on the path of unconditioning,

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Hedi Shah
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👁️ Bodyworker & Mindfulness Teacher
🐉 Nervous system regulation, breathwork, and posture-focused strength training to target the cause of what keeps you stuck and in pain, not just symptoms.

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