🌀 Shift Happens: From Oral Health to Whole-Body Healing

A Deep Dive with Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Founder Reid Davis

🧠 Did You Know?

Gum disease isn’t just a mouth problem it’s linked to heart disease, diabetes, and even cognitive decline. Your mouth might be the first place your body shows signs of internal imbalance.

Hi, I’m Sheree, host of the Healthy Mouth Movement Podcast and creator of Shift Happens, where we dig deep into the connection between oral health and whole-body wellness.

This week, I sat down with someone who’s revolutionizing how we approach health Reid Davis, founder of Functional Diagnostic Nutrition (FDN). What started as a podcast episode turned into a mind-expanding conversation I had to share in blog form.

Meet Reid Davis: From Saving the Planet to Saving Lives

Reid began in environmental conservation. But over 25 years ago, he asked a life-altering question:

“If I care so much about the environment… what about the people living in it?”

That moment launched him into wellness, functional lab testing, and ultimately, the creation of FDN Functional Diagnostic Nutrition.

Reid’s mission?

• Help people uncover the root causes of chronic health issues

• Empower them to heal without relying solely on prescriptions

• Train others to do the same through FDN certification

Today, over 5,000 practitioners in 50+ countries use his system to help clients take ownership of their health.

🔍 What Causes Chronic Health Problems? Look for H.I.D.D.E.N. Stressors

Through running thousands of labs, Reid discovered patterns most doctors miss. He coined the acronym H.I.D.D.E.N. to describe the key areas of dysfunction:

• Hormone imbalances

• Immune dysregulation

• Digestive issues

• Detoxification blockages

• Energy production breakdown

• Nervous system overload

Together, these lead to what he calls Metabolic Chaos™ a state where everything in your body feels “off,” but no one can tell you why.

🛠 The Solution: D.R.E.S.S. for Health Success

Since Reid wasn’t a doctor, he couldn’t prescribe meds. Instead, he developed a powerful healing method anyone can apply at home.

The D.R.E.S.S. Protocol:

• Diet – Eat whole, unprocessed foods and avoid triggers

• Rest – Prioritize quality sleep

• Exercise – Move your body daily

• Stress Reduction – Meditate, breathe, decompress

• Supplementation – Fill in gaps with the right nutrients (based on testing!)

This system has helped thousands rebalance, reset, and reclaim their health. 🎯

🦷 Oral Health Is Whole-Body Health

Here’s where our conversation hit home for me. I’ve been in dentistry for over 35 years. I used to see tartar and gum disease as just “mouth problems.” I don’t anymore.

Your mouth is a mirror of your internal health.

🚨 Warning Signs in the Mouth That Reflect Deeper Issues:

• Chronic gum inflammation = systemic inflammation

• Mouth breathing = poor sleep + low oxygen + higher cortisol

• Low tongue posture = facial underdevelopment, airway issues

• Bad breath = gut dysbiosis or detox issues

• Deep pockets = possible immune and hormonal dysfunction

When you ignore these signs, you’re missing the early warnings of bigger health problems.

My Story: What Led Me Down This Rabbit Hole

My daughter’s bedwetting led me to functional medicine. I was told she’d “outgrow it.” But she wasn’t sleeping well. She was mouth breathing. Her tongue was low.

Sound familiar?

These symptoms weren’t separate they were connected. Just like your digestive, immune, and nervous systems are.

That’s why I created the Healthy Mouth Movement and why I believe functional diagnostic testing is essential for every family.

🧪 Why You Need to Test (Not Guess)

We’ve all seen it: “Take this supplement for energy!” or “Drink this for focus!” but without knowing your unique imbalances, you’re just shooting in the dark.

Functional Labs Can Reveal:

• Food sensitivities that trigger fatigue, rashes, bloating, or brain fog

• Hormone imbalances driving anxiety, weight gain, or infertility

• Parasites or pathogens contributing to chronic inflammation

• Nutrient deficiencies despite a “healthy” diet

Reid’s motto?

“Test. Don’t guess.”

I couldn’t agree more.

💡 A Real-Life Transformation

Reid shared the story of a woman plagued by full-body hives. Her doctor gave her two choices:

“Be fat… or live with the hives.”

She came to Reid’s clinic. After running a few simple labs and eliminating reactive foods, her hives disappeared in 13 days. No meds. No gimmicks.

She even lost weight and started sleeping better.

🎯 This is the power of functional testing + self-directed care.

💬 So What Can You Do?

If you’re ready to take charge of your health (or your child’s), here’s how to start:

1. Find a Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner
   🔗 FDNTraining.com/healthy

2. Follow FDN on social

   • Instagram

   • Facebook

   • YouTube

   • LinkedIn

   • Twitter

3. Be curious about your symptoms they’re not random. Your body is speaking.

💭 Final Thoughts: You Are the Owner of Your Health

If your labs are “normal” but you feel anything but…
If your child struggles with behavior, sleep, or digestion…
If you’re tired of managing symptoms instead of finding solutions…

Shift Happens.
And it starts when you stop outsourcing your health and take the reins.

✅ Key Takeaways:

• Functional lab testing reveals hidden stressors and root causes

• Oral health is deeply connected to gut, immune, and hormonal health

• Healing is possible but you must take ownership

• You don’t need to guess you can test

📣 Join the Movement

If this post resonated, please share it with a friend. The more people know how to take charge of their health, the better we all become.

Got questions or want recommendations for testing? Drop a comment or message me. I love hearing from you. 💌