The Tooth, The Whole Tooth, and Nothing but the Tooth

Our Skin Talks conversation with Dr. Joseph Scalia

 

Every once in a while, we record an episode that feels less like an interview and more like sitting around a kitchen table with someone who makes you rethink what you thought you knew. Our recent conversation with Dr. Joseph Scalia was just that. What began as a discussion about dental care quickly expanded to childhood habits, aging, confidence, bone structure, bacteria, and, somehow, a cat with a urinary tract infection. Please, stay with me.

 

What I love most about Dr. Joe is that he makes teeth feel human. Not clinical. Not intimidating. Not something to avoid until necessary. Just part of our story. The conversation was honest, surprisingly funny, and insightful, and it stayed with us long after we stopped recording. It felt important enough to put into words and share with our Boutique Skin Envie community.

 

One of the first moments that stopped me in my tracks was when Joe casually mentioned that babies begin forming their adult tooth buds at eight weeks of pregnancy. Eight weeks! Before most people even announce their pregnancy, the foundation for lifelong dental health is already being laid. By the time a child turns one, brushing should be part of the evening routine, not for perfection but to develop healthy habits. Children learn by watching. If parents brush, children want to brush. If parents complain or speak negatively about the dentist, children absorb it too.

 

That naturally led us to the topic of dental fear. Joe spoke openly about how many children arrive for their first appointment already terrified, even though nothing bad has ever happened to them. The fear is often passed down through stories, comments, and attitudes absorbed from adults.

 

His approach is slow and relationship-driven. At three, children simply sit in the room and watch. At four, they might sit in the chair while he counts their teeth. By five, they are ready for a full cleaning and often excited about it. It was a reminder that our attitudes and words shape far more than we realize.

 

One of my favourite parts of the conversation was discussing the psychology of a smile. A smile is not just a nice feature. It is identity. It is confidence. It is how we show up in the world. Joe said something simple that stayed with me: “A beautiful smile is everything.” Not because beauty is everything, but because confidence changes how we move through life. Whether it is a single tooth that has bothered someone for years or the relief of finally feeling comfortable smiling, dental care is deeply personal.

 

I shared my experience of breaking my front teeth as a child and unconsciously learning to smile without showing them for decades. When I eventually had them redone, it changed more than my teeth. It changed my presence.

 

And then we talked about the cat (AKA Mowgli).

 

Natascha’s cat endured months of unexplained urinary tract infections until Joe noticed an infected tooth. Once the tooth was removed, the infections disappeared. It sounds unbelievable, but it sparked a much broader conversation about how oral bacteria can enter the bloodstream and affect the entire body. Untreated infections in the mouth can affect heart health, inflammation, blood sugar regulation, and more. The mouth is not a separate system. It is a gateway.

 

The most surprising and emotional part of the conversation came when we discussed elderly patients. Many cannot express pain or maintain daily hygiene. Medications and age often reduce saliva, the body’s natural mouth-cleaning mechanism. Infections can go unnoticed until they become severe, and treatment can be excruciating. It is something families rarely consider but should. We care for our children’s teeth with devotion. At the end of life, the same devotion matters just as much.

 

Before we wrapped up, we asked Joe the rapid-fire questions we ask every guest. When asked what one thing everyone should do daily for their teeth, his answer was immediate. Floss! Spoken like a true dentist, and honestly, after this conversation, he is right.

 

At Skin Talks, we always say that health is never just about what you put on your skin. It is everything you digest, experience, feel, and carry with you. This episode was a powerful reminder of that.

 

Teeth are not just teeth. They are history, habits, confidence, health, emotion, aging, and identity. Having honest conversations about them, without fear or shame, is exactly the kind of dialogue we want more of. If you have not listened yet, make a cup of tea, settle into your favourite chair, and enjoy the full episode. It is thoughtful, insightful, funny, and very human.

 

Until next time,

Beate