We all want a bright set of pearly whites, but teeth are more than what meets the eye. Your mouth and teeth serve as gatekeepers for your body, helping protect your heart, lungs and other organs from bacteria, pathogens and disease.

On this episode of Health Matters, we talk with Dr. Sarah Lee, a prosthodontist, about how oral health and overall health go hand in hand — and how to optimize your dental hygiene routine.

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Tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, Little League elbow — and now, even pickleball elbow.

Staying active has countless benefits, but sports can be tough on your tendons. And you don’t have to be an athlete to end up with a “sports injury.” So, what are the early signs to watch for, and how can you prevent injury in the first place? Is there anything you can do to speed up recovery?

On this episode of Health Matters, Dr. Christopher Camp joins us to share expert advice on keeping your elbows and shoulders safe — whether you're on the court, on the course or just going about your day.

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Find us online at Mayo Clinic Press for more health and wellness articles, podcasts and books.

Do you have feedback, questions or topic suggestions? Email us at mcppodcasts@mayo.edu.

Nearly half of American adults have high blood pressure—many without even realizing it. So what do those two numbers really mean for your health? And is your high blood pressure preventable, treatable... or even reversible?

On this episode of Health Matters, we're talking with Dr. Gary Schwartz about hypertension, how to get your numbers within range, and whether you should be measuring your blood pressure at home.

For more information on blood pressure device validation and accuracy, check out validatebp.org.