What if your dental history held the key to a complex diagnosis no one’s caught? In this gripping episode of the Bendy Bodies Podcast, Dr. Linda Bluestein welcomes Dr. Audrey Kershaw, a trailblazing oral surgeon who’s uncovered hundreds of hidden Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) cases—starting in the dental chair.
From patients who “can’t numb up,” to decades-long battles with halitosis, gum fragility, and jaw instability, Dr. Kershaw shares the subtle (and sometimes shocking) signs that suggest something far deeper is at play. Together, they explore what happens when TMD, failed anesthesia, slow healing, and even bad breath point to connective tissue disorders that most dentists never learn about.
If your mouth has always felt... different—this episode might explain why.
Find the episode transcript here.
Takeaways:
Some patients can’t numb up… and the reason may change how you see your entire body.
Your wisdom tooth extraction might’ve revealed more than just a dental issue.
That persistent jaw pain? It may be pointing to something systemic.
A 40-year case of bad breath led to an unexpected diagnosis—here’s what happened.
You might be able to spot a connective tissue disorder… before a dentist even says a word.
Reference Links:
GIRFT RCS TMD full document. https://www.rcseng.ac.uk/-/media/FDS/Comprehensive-guideline-Management-of-painful-Temporomandibular-disorder-in-adults-March-2024.pdf
GITFT RCS TMD patient summary document. https://www.rcseng.ac.uk/-/media/FDS/TMD-Patient-support-document-March-2024.pdf
GIRFT RCS TMD Clinician summary document https://www.rcseng.ac.uk/-/media/FDS/TMD-Clinician-summary-document-March-2024.pdf
Scottish Dental Magazine article EDS Article Scottish_Dental_magazine_October_2023 p38-39[77].pdf
BISOM link to mouth ulcers
https://bisom.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/RAS-PIL-October-2019.pdf
LA paper 2019 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6834718/
Link to pt EDS email EDS PATIENT EMAIL April 2025.docx
Link to "Perioperative Management of Patients with Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes" by Drs. Chopra and Bluestein https://www.scirp.org/journal/paperinformation?paperid=97524
Connect with YOUR Hypermobility Specialist, Dr. Linda Bluestein, MD at https://www.hypermobilitymd.com/.
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Learn about Dr. Audrey Kershaw:
Website: https://www.oralsurgery.scot/
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