Dr. Katie Lee, DDS, reveals how oral infections can increase fertility issues by three times and shares simple testing and treatments that could transform your conception journey. This conversation explores the mouth-fertility connection that most doctors never discuss.
Megan· natural· Became a mamaBefore
Had failed IVF, surrogacy, and donor eggs with no explanation for fertility struggles
Key Shift
Discovered and treated a raging oral infection she couldn't feel
After
Conceived naturally and had a healthy pregnancy
Oral Systemic Health Specialist
Key Insights
Actionable Advice
Dr. Katie Lee reveals how oral infections can triple fertility risk through bacteria that enter the bloodstream via inflamed gums. Using the example of Megan's 10-year fertility struggle that ended after treating an oral infection, this section explores how the mouth-body connection affects conception, implantation, and pregnancy outcomes.
Male fertility accounts for 50% of infertility cases, yet oral health is rarely addressed for men. Dr. Lee explains how specific bacteria kill sperm, reduce motility, and can reinfect female partners, emphasizing the need to treat both partners for optimal fertility outcomes.
Dr. Lee outlines straightforward approaches including at-home saliva testing, targeted periodontal treatments, and microbiome rebuilding. She debunks the insurance-driven six-month cleaning schedule in favor of science-based 3-4 month intervals, especially during conception and pregnancy.
Oral bacteria are linked to heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer's, and cancer. Dr. Lee emphasizes how addressing oral health during the fertility journey sets the foundation for lifelong wellness, including reducing pregnancy complications like preeclampsia and gestational diabetes.
“certain oral infections that you might not even know you have, because all of us are running around thinking that we would feel pain if we had an infection. Not true. Okay? So those things can increase your risk of fertility issues by three times.”
— Dr. Katie Lee▶ 2:03
Yes, certain oral infections can increase fertility issues by three times. Specific bacteria like Fusobacterium nucleatum can prevent ovulation, block embryo implantation, and even cause stillbirths by entering the bloodstream through inflamed gums.
“bacteria repopulate in the mouth within ninety days. So So if we're waiting six months, that's, like, double the time that we're having leaving that bacteria in the mouth.”
— Dr. Katie Lee▶ 37:58
Every 3-4 months instead of the standard 6 months. Bacteria repopulate in the mouth within 90 days, so waiting 6 months allows enough time for harmful bacteria to establish and potentially affect fertility.
“the bacteria in the man causes their sperm to, it actually kills the sperm, it changes their shape, and it decreases their ability to swim.”
— Dr. Katie Lee▶ 18:40
Yes, oral bacteria in men can kill sperm, change their shape, and decrease their ability to swim. Male infertility accounts for 50% of all infertility cases, and men can also transfer harmful bacteria to their female partners.
“effing bacteria is actually responsible for causing stillbirths. And that is certainly on the rise.”
— Dr. Katie Lee▶ 15:46
Fusobacterium nucleatum is particularly dangerous for fertility. It inhibits ovulation, prevents embryo implantation, and can cause stillbirths. This bacteria is commonly found and acts as a transport for other harmful bacteria.
“People like you mentioned, can contact me, I can ship them a test, they can do it from their house, I can go over results with them, and then work with their dentist to get them the treatment that they need.”
— Dr. Katie Lee▶ 36:47
Yes, saliva testing can be done from home to identify specific bacteria that affect fertility. Dr. Katie Lee offers these tests that can be shipped to patients, with results reviewed remotely before working with local dentists for treatment.
“dentistry was siloed from medicine over a hundred years ago. I mean, they literally just took dentistry out and put it on its own thing. And, you know, unfortunately, the ramifications of that is that no one's looking at the person as an entire being.”
— Dr. Katie Lee▶ 33:23
The healthcare system is overly specialized and siloed. Dentistry was separated from medicine over 100 years ago, so no one looks at the person as a whole being. Most fertility doctors focus only on reproductive organs without considering how oral health affects the entire body.
Dr. Katie Lee's essential steps for protecting fertility through oral health
Get tested first
Order saliva testing to identify specific fertility-affecting bacteria before trying to conceive. Also get a 3D cone beam CT scan to detect hidden abscesses.
Get professional cleaning
Schedule a thorough periodontal cleaning every 3-4 months, not every 6 months. This prevents bacteria from repopulating beyond the 90-day cycle.
Use proper brushing technique
Use an electric toothbrush and focus on the gumline, not just teeth. Brush twice daily for two minutes, angling the brush at the junction between teeth and gums.
Floss or waterpik daily
Clean between teeth twice daily since toothbrushes only reach 3 of 5 tooth surfaces. Use regular floss or a waterpik if dexterity is an issue.
Avoid over-sterilization
Use gentle products that don't kill all bacteria indiscriminately. You want to preserve good bacteria while eliminating harmful strains.
Rebuild your microbiome
After treatment, take high-quality prebiotics and probiotics to repopulate with beneficial bacteria and maintain oral health balance.
Certain oral infections can increase your risk of fertility issues by three times, even when you feel no pain or symptoms
Dr. Katie Lee explains that Fusobacterium nucleatum bacteria specifically inhibits ovulation, prevents embryo implantation, and causes stillbirths. Megan, featured in a previous episode, had a 10-year fertility journey with failed IVF, surrogacy, and donor eggs until discovering and treating a raging oral infection.
Oral bacteria don't stay in your mouth - they circulate through your bloodstream and target your reproductive system
Dr. Lee explains that when gums become permeable due to infection, bacteria enter the bloodstream through an enzyme called MMP8 that breaks down protective tissue barriers. This creates 'leaky gums' similar to leaky gut, allowing bacteria to reach reproductive organs.
Male fertility is equally affected by oral bacteria, with specific bacteria killing sperm and decreasing motility
Dr. Lee treated both partners in a young couple struggling with infertility. The husband had bacteria affecting sperm motility, and after treating both partners, they conceived within months. She notes that two specific bacteria directly impact sperm's ability to swim.
Forty percent of pregnant people have some form of gum infection, increasing preterm birth risk by 30-50%
Dr. Lee states that oral bacteria increases risk of preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and preterm birth. Only 10% of women who develop gestational diabetes are prediabetic before pregnancy, suggesting something during pregnancy triggers the condition.
The six-month dental cleaning rule came from insurance companies, not science - bacteria repopulate in 90 days
Dr. Lee explains that bacteria repopulate in the mouth within 90 days, yet insurance only covers cleanings every six months. She recommends cleanings every 3-4 months for optimal oral health, especially during conception and pregnancy.
Simple saliva testing can identify fertility-affecting bacteria from home, followed by targeted treatments
Dr. Lee uses saliva tests to identify specific bacteria like Fusobacterium nucleatum and 3D cone beam CT scans to detect hidden abscesses. Treatments include periodontal cleanings, targeted therapies for specific bacteria, and microbiome rebuilding with probiotics.
Oral bacteria are linked to major diseases including heart disease, diabetes, and Alzheimer's
Dr. Lee directly links PG gingivalis bacteria to Alzheimer's disease and notes that oral bacteria correlate with pancreatic and colon cancers, heart disease, and diabetes. Seven out of eight leading causes of death in America are caused by inflammation.
Stress and elevated cortisol shut down immune function, allowing harmful oral bacteria to proliferate
Dr. Lee explains that chronic stress releases cortisol, which suppresses the immune system and makes the body more prone to infections. This creates a cycle where bacteria proliferate, causing more inflammation and stress.
Certain oral infections can increase your risk of fertility issues by three times, even when you feel no pain or symptoms
▶ 2:22Oral bacteria don't stay in your mouth - they circulate through your bloodstream and target your reproductive system
▶ 12:59Male fertility is equally affected by oral bacteria, with specific bacteria killing sperm and decreasing motility
▶ 8:43Forty percent of pregnant people have some form of gum infection, increasing preterm birth risk by 30-50%
▶ 21:53The six-month dental cleaning rule came from insurance companies, not science - bacteria repopulate in 90 days
▶ 37:38Simple saliva testing can identify fertility-affecting bacteria from home, followed by targeted treatments
▶ 10:37Oral bacteria are linked to major diseases including heart disease, diabetes, and Alzheimer's
▶ 30:48Stress and elevated cortisol shut down immune function, allowing harmful oral bacteria to proliferate
▶ 22:35“If your teeth don't hurt, there's nothing wrong with your oral health”
CONSIDER: Silent oral infections are the most dangerous because bacteria survive by not causing pain until catastrophic damage occurs
“Dental problems are genetic and run in families”
CONSIDER: Oral bacteria are transmitted between family members through kissing, sharing utensils, and close contact
“Fertility problems are primarily the woman's issue”
CONSIDER: Infertility is a 50-50 game, and male oral health directly impacts sperm quality and can reinfect female partners
“certain oral infections that you might not even know you have, because all of us are running around thinking that we would feel pain if we had an infection. Not true. Okay? So those things can increase your risk of fertility issues by three times.”
“if you're thinking to yourself, oh, I you know, I brush and floss every day. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. Stick around.”
“the bacteria in the man causes their sperm to, it actually kills the sperm, it changes their shape, and it decreases their ability to swim.”
“don't let your insurance dictate how you take care of your health for frick's sake, man.”
“It's like showering and not washing your armpits. Right? Like, you have to wash every part of your body. You have to clean every part of your tooth.”
“information is power. And when you have power, you can take control.”
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Conditions
Frameworks & Methods
Common Beliefs
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Francois observed that Super Cat's entire mood and motivation changed when she shifted from fighting from despair to fighting from hope after doing the Fearlessly Fertile program, leading to their natural conception at 38 after six failed IVFs.
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Calley Means, former pharma lobbyist, reveals that Stanford Medical School and Harvard Medical School are among the institutions that don't require nutrition education, despite food being the primary driver of metabolic dysfunction affecting fertility.
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