From the Enso Library

Dr Keerti's book recommendations.

Recommended reading on sleep, breathing, nutrition, longevity, oral health, and whole-body care.

Health-centered dental care at Enso Dentistry in Redmond near Bellevue

Great dentistry begins long before anyone sits in a dental chair. These are books that have profoundly influenced how I think about health, sleep, breathing, nutrition, longevity and patient care. Whether you’re trying to improve your sleep, understand your body, or simply live a healthier life, these are books I enthusiastically recommend.

1. Why We Sleep

Matthew Walker

Key Takeaways

Sleep is not a luxury—it is one of the body’s most powerful healing mechanisms.
Deep sleep strengthens memory, immune function, emotional resilience and tissue repair.
Poor sleep increases the risk of heart disease, diabetes, obesity, depression and Alzheimer’s disease.
Sleep quality influences pain perception, inflammation and recovery from illness.
Even small improvements in sleep can have profound effects on long-term health.

Why I’m Recommending It

As a dentist, I see every day how sleep affects oral and overall health. Poor sleep contributes to clenching, TMJ disorders, dry mouth, periodontal disease, delayed healing and even how our bodies respond to inflammation.

This book changed the way I think about sleep - not simply as “rest,” but as one of the body’s most powerful forms of medicine. If there’s one lifestyle change that consistently improves almost every aspect of health, it’s getting better sleep. And good dentistry can play a huge role in you getting good sleep!

2. Breath

James Nestor

Key Takeaways

How we breathe matters just as much as how much we breathe.
Nasal breathing improves oxygen delivery, sleep quality, cardiovascular health and exercise performance.
Mouth breathing contributes to snoring, sleep apnea, dry mouth and dental problems.
Modern lifestyles have altered our facial development and airway health.
Simple breathing techniques can improve stress management and overall well-being.

Why I’m Recommending It

Few people realize that breathing influences nearly every system in the body.

As dentists, we’re uniquely positioned to recognize signs of airway problems, mouth breathing, sleep-disordered breathing and abnormal facial development. This book helps explain why breathing habits matter so much and why something as simple as learning to breathe through the nose can positively influence sleep, oral health and overall wellness. A comprehensive dental exam can set you on a path to a lifetime of good breathing! Ask us about our lip-taping and nasal breathing protocol.

3. Gut

Giulia Enders

Key Takeaways

The digestive system plays a central role in immunity, metabolism and overall health.
The gut microbiome communicates continuously with the brain through the gut-brain axis.
Many common digestive symptoms have understandable physiological explanations.
Diet, medications and lifestyle profoundly influence the health of our gut bacteria.
A healthy digestive system supports the health of the entire body including the mouth.

Why I’m Recommending It

The mouth is the beginning of the digestive tract, not a separate organ.

This engaging and beautifully illustrated book explains the fascinating science behind digestion, the microbiome and the remarkable connection between gut health and the rest of the body. Understanding these relationships helps us appreciate that oral health and systemic health are deeply interconnected. Ask us about laryngeo-pharyngeal reflux (LPR) and GERD and how acid impacts your oral health and tips that help.

Why These Three Books Belong Together

Although they focus on different topics, they tell one larger story:

Sleep restores us.

Breathing fuels us.

The gut nourishes us.

Together they remind us that lasting health isn’t created by isolated treatments but in-fact it emerges when the body’s systems work in harmony.

That philosophy lies at the heart of how I practice dentistry. My goal has always been to preserve, support and work with the body’s remarkable biology whenever possible.

I became a dentist because I love creating beautiful smiles. Over the years, I discovered that truly beautiful smiles are supported by something much deeper—healthy sleep, healthy breathing, good nutrition, and respect for the remarkable design of the human body.

These books have profoundly influenced how I think about health and patient care. They are thoughtful, evidence-based, and surprisingly enjoyable to read. I hope you’ll enjoy them as much as I have and perhaps come away seeing your own health through a new lens.

At Enso Dentistry, we believe exceptional dentistry is about more than beautiful teeth. It’s about helping people thrive. Whether we’re discussing sleep apnea, airway health, biomimetic dentistry, nutrition, or minimally invasive care, our goal is always the same: to support the body’s natural ability to function, heal and flourish. These books have helped strengthen this philosophy in my mind and we hope they’ll inspire you, too.

Helpful Answers

Clear answers for patients researching carefully.

These short answers are for patients who are comparing cosmetic dentistry, credentials, location, and the kind of care they want.

What books does Dr. Keerti recommend for health and oral health?

Dr. Keerti recommends Why We Sleep, Breath, and Gut because they connect sleep, breathing, nutrition, systemic health, and oral health.

Why would a dental practice recommend books about sleep, breathing, and gut health?

Great dentistry is connected to whole-body health. Sleep, breathing, nutrition, inflammation, airway health, and oral health influence one another.