Urban Smile Specialist Orthodontist Dr Sarah Lawrence recently joined journalist Georgie Tunny on Fernwood Fitness’s Fernwood Unfiltered podcast to discuss an important but often overlooked topic: oral health and its connection to overall wellbeing.
As a Specialist Orthodontist in Melbourne, Dr Sarah works with patients every day to improve both the appearance and function of their smiles. During the conversation, she shared insights into how oral health impacts the body, the difference between dentists and orthodontists, and why orthodontic treatment is about much more than just straight teeth.
The episode also explored an area that many women don’t realise affects their oral health: hormones, particularly during pregnancy and menopause.
If you’ve ever wondered how orthodontic care supports long-term health or what to look for when choosing an orthodontist in Melbourne, here are some of the key insights from the episode.
Your oral health is connected to your overall health
Many people think of oral health as separate from the rest of the body, but the reality is that your mouth plays a major role in your overall wellbeing.
As Dr Sarah explained during the podcast, digestion actually starts in the mouth. The way your teeth and jaws function affects how food is broken down before it even reaches your stomach.
Healthy teeth and gums support:
- Proper chewing and digestion
- Balanced jaw function
- Long-term dental health
- Reduced risk of dental disease
Your mouth is also full of bacteria, and when oral health is neglected it can contribute to inflammation and other health concerns.
Looking after your teeth isn’t just about appearance. It’s part of looking after your whole body.
What’s the difference between a dentist and an orthodontist?
One of the questions Georgie asked Dr Sarah during the episode was something many people wonder: what exactly is the difference between a dentist and an orthodontist?
Both professionals play important roles in oral health, but their training and focus are different.
A dentist is trained to diagnose and treat general dental conditions such as:
- Cavities
- Gum disease
- Tooth decay
- Routine dental care and maintenance
An orthodontist, however, is a dental specialist who completes several additional years of university training focused specifically on tooth movement and jaw alignment.
Orthodontists specialise in diagnosing and treating issues such as:
- Crooked or crowded teeth
- Bite problems (overbite, underbite, crossbite)
- Jaw alignment concerns
- Long-term stability of the smile
At Urban Smile, treatment is always designed and overseen by Specialist Orthodontists, ensuring every plan considers both aesthetics and function.
Orthodontic treatment isn’t just about straight teeth
One of the biggest misconceptions about orthodontic treatment is that it’s purely cosmetic.
While many patients initially seek treatment because they want straighter teeth, orthodontists often identify underlying functional problems that need attention as well.
As Dr Sarah explained in the podcast:
“I look at their mouth and I go, yes we can give you great straight teeth, but there’s some problems in the back that we’re going to need to fix. You’re wearing your teeth, you’re cracking your teeth, you’re not able to have good hygiene because you can’t clean them properly.”
Misaligned teeth can contribute to several long-term issues, including:
- Excessive tooth wear
- Cracking or chipping teeth
- Difficulty maintaining good oral hygiene
- Gum problems caused by plaque build-up
Orthodontic treatment helps address these problems by improving both alignment and function, supporting healthier teeth for the long term.
How hormones can affect women’s oral health
One of the topics that resonated strongly with Fernwood’s audience was how hormonal changes can influence oral health.
Dr Sarah explained that pregnancy hormones, particularly estrogen and progesterone, increase blood flow to the gums and can make gum tissue more sensitive to plaque.
This can lead to inflammation or bleeding gums, a common condition known as pregnancy gingivitis.
Common symptoms can include:
- Red or swollen gums
- Bleeding when brushing or flossing
- Increased gum sensitivity
The key takeaway from Dr Sarah’s advice? Pay extra attention to your oral hygiene during pregnancy.
Hormonal changes don’t stop after pregnancy. During menopause, shifts in hormone levels can reduce saliva production, leading to a drier mouth.
Because saliva plays a key role in protecting your teeth and gums, this can increase the risk of oral health issues if not managed.
Dr Sarah’s tip? Stay well hydrated and drink water regularly to help support your oral health.
Confidence is often the unexpected benefit
While orthodontists focus on clinical outcomes like bite correction and tooth alignment, many patients say the biggest change they notice is how they feel about their smile.
For many adults, orthodontic treatment can mean:
- Smiling more confidently in photos
- Feeling more comfortable speaking or laughing
- Feeling more confident in work and social settings
A healthy smile can have a powerful impact on confidence and self-expression.
Watch the full conversation
Dr Sarah’s conversation with Georgie Tunny covers even more topics around oral health, orthodontic treatment and why caring for your smile matters.
▶️ Watch the full episode of Fernwood Unfiltered here: