Are you grappling with hypertension, excess weight, diabetes, teeth grinding, a double chin, or chronic pain and fatigue? The silent workings of your mouth might hold the answers, as its condition and usage can silently impact your well-being.
In this review, we delve into the pages of ‘Licensed to Thrive’ by Dr. Felix Liao to uncover its transformative insights about how a healthy mouth can enhance sleep quality, digestion, immunity and even vitality.
Author’s background

Dr. Felix Liao is a prominent figure in the field of holistic and biological dentistry, renowned for his bestselling contributions to dental health’s impact on overall well-being.

With over thirty years of experience as a holistic family dentist, he holds degrees including a Doctor of Dental Surgery from Case University of Dental Medicine and has garnered numerous accolades, such as board certification by the American Board of General Dentistry and mastership with the Academy of Dentistry. Dr. Liao is also the founder of the Whole Health Dental Center in Virginia, President of the International Academy of Biological Dentistry and Medicine, and an authorised DNA appliance instructor.
What is the book about?

‘Licensed to Thrive’ by Felix Liao offers a perspective on the intricate relationship between oral health and overall well-being. With a focus on the mouth’s structural integrity and its impact on energy levels, sleep quality, and natural immunity, the book highlights how an optimally functioning mouth can positively transform various aspects of life.
Dr. Felix Liao explains how having a healthy mouth can make your body stronger, reduce problems like inflammation, and keep you from needing machines, movement aids or medicines as you get older. The book talks about how the way you breathe and sleep is connected to your mouth, and how your eating and stress habits affect your health too. Real stories from patients show how fixing their mouths improved their lives in big ways, not just their teeth but their whole bodies.
As the narrative unfolds, readers are also provided with a roadmap to thriving. The book’s teachings are not limited to dental and airway treatments; they extend to encompass vital elements of daily life. The reader is invited to explore areas like diet, exercise, and overall lifestyle in order to achieve holistic well-being.
Table of contents

- Introduction
- Author’s Note About This Book
- Impaired Mouth Syndrome and Holistic Mouth Solutions
- Foreword for Healthcare Professionals on WholeHealth Integration
- Chapter 1: Your Mouth. Your Health, Your Life
- Chapter 2: How Holistic Mouth Solutions Work: 3 Case Studies
- Chapter 3: Inflammation, Infections. and Your Mouth
- Chapter 4: Your Digestive System and Gut Microbiome
- Chapter 5: The Good, the Bad, the Terrible
- Chapter 6: Taming Your Runaway Mouth
- Chapter 7: A Sweet Tooth’s Devastations Beyond Cavities
- Chapter 8: Hijacked and Hooked: How Big Food’s Got You
- Chapter 9: In Big Food’s Crosshairs
- Chapter 10: Your Mouth Style Checkup and Inside-Out Change
- Chapter 11: How Your Health Abandons You
- Chapter 12: Toxins Poisoning Earth Mother and Our Children
- Chapter 13: Hypothyroidism: Tired, Cold, and Puffy
- Chapter 14: Adrenal Exhaustion: The Price of Your Health Disruptors
- Chapter 15: Your Health Destiny: Crash, or Thrive?
- Chapter 16: Stop Wilting: 4 Keys to Start Thriving
- Chapter 17: Why Alignment and Airway First
- Chapter 18: Nosing Your Way to Holistic Mouth Solutions
- Chapter 19: ‘Pleasantly Surprised: Erectile Dysfunction Gone and CAP Mask Bye-bye
- Chapter 20: Yin and Yang Balance: Your Ticket to Thrive
- Chapter 21: Getting Your License to Thrive
- Chapter 22: Holistic Mouth Style Upgrades Health and Energy
- Chapter 23: Baby Steps Toward Your Holistic Mouth Style
- Chapter 24: How to Eat and Thrive
- Chapter 25: Making Wellness Fun
- Postscript
- Afterword
- Afterword-2 For Healthcare Professionals
- About the Author
- Other Books by Dr. Felix Liao
- Connect with the Author
- Acknowledgements
- Gratitude
- Resources
- References
Three key takeaways from ‘Licensed to Thrive’

1Whether you are sick or healthy is largely determined by your mouth
‘Licensed to Thrive’ delivers a compelling message about the vital role that your mouth plays in determining your state of health. Dr. Felix Liao’s book serves as a call to recognise the mouth’s significance as a powerful driver of well-being or illness. He explicates how a well-maintained mouth has the potential to bolster your body’s defences, minimise inflammation, and stave off the typical issues that arise with advancing age.
The author cites various studies that prove that poor oral health can exacerbate sleep quality, eating habits and inflammation. Dr. Liao also provides examples of how impaired mouth structure and style can lead to chronic diseases.
2Poor mouth health can trigger inflammations that contribute to chronic disease
The book vividly elucidates the connection between mouth health and inflammation. Inflammation, often triggered by oral infections, can have far-reaching effects on the body and make it more susceptible to a long list of diseases, including heart conditions, cancer, diabetes, obesity, inflammatory bowel disease, asthma and many others. This interconnectedness underscores the importance of biological dentistry, focusing on holistic mouth solutions to enhance oral health and overall wellness. Adopting a proactive approach to improving oral health as an integral part of overall wellness can contribute to reducing inflammation, promoting immunity, and enhancing well-being.
3Your mouth health defines how your body will grow and develop from the moment you are born
Beginning from infancy, our growth and development are guided by the mouth’s role. The book emphasises that underdeveloped jaws can lead to widespread health issues. The concept of Impaired Mouth Syndrome underscores how compromised oral health can impact broader head functions. Notably, addressing oral health conditions like obstructive sleep apnea in children can positively affect oral-facial growth. The author introduces epigenetic oral appliance therapy as a non-invasive method to reshape jaws and airways, improving sleep quality and relieving pain. With a focus on healthy natural teeth, the therapy aims to restore oral functions and enhance overall well-being. The book also highlights the connection between mouth structure, airway obstruction, and various symptoms, such as pain, fatigue, and mood disturbances. By prioritising proper alignment, breathing, circulation, and digestion, individuals can uncover the path to thriving health and vitality.
Strengths and weaknesses, according to readers’ reviews

Strengths
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Provides readers with well-rounded guidance on achieving optimal health backed by broad scientific research and the author’s professional experience.
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Presents complex health concepts in an engaging and comprehensible manner.
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Motivates readers to take action toward better health, resonating with personal experiences shared in case studies.
Weaknesses
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Excessive promotion of services provided by the author’s clinic detracts from the overall reading experience, diminishing its enjoyment.
Best quotes from ‘Licensed to Thrive’

“Inflammation is the major driver of human disease. It damages your heart, your brain, your kidneys, your gut. Poor-quality sleep, especially sleep apnea, creates a persistent inflammatory state in your body.”
“Cancer, or any illness, is an outcome. Prognosis is poor if your liver gets “direct deposits” from colon cancer. When should you take control of the source? What are the causes? Among the many, there’s no denying that oral contributions are big. For example, this 2012 study2 found cancer death rate goes up 4.8 times with severe sleep apnea and 2 times with moderate sleep apnea.”
“Biomimetic oral appliance therapy may be a useful method of managing severe cases of OSA (obstructive sleep apnea) in adults, and represents an alternative to CPAP and MADs.”
Final takeaway

‘Licensed to Thrive’ by Dr. Felix Liao offers an illuminating exploration of the intricate relationship between oral health and overall well-being. Backed by his extensive experience and expertise in holistic and biological dentistry, Dr. Liao presents a persuasive case for recognising the mouth as a significant determinant of health. With a focus on the mouth’s pivotal role in our growth, development, and overall vitality, Dr. Liao provides readers with valuable insights and actionable steps toward achieving holistic well-being.
This book is a must-read for individuals seeking to understand the profound impact of oral health on their overall quality of life and for those looking to take proactive steps towards thriving health and vitality.
Where to buy
You may purchase ‘Licensed to Thrive’ on Amazon at the best price. It is available in paperback, hardcover, spiral bound, audio and Kindle versions, so you may choose an option that appeals to you the most.