Dr. Rama Woodinville Pediatric Dentistry

10/10/2025

Thank you for our fall treats 🤗

08/29/2025

My Journey to Becoming Metabolically Healthy

For years I thought health was just about dieting and exercising. What I’ve learned is that true metabolic health means building a body that runs the way it’s supposed to—stable energy, strong muscles, and resilience against disease.

Muscle Mass: The Foundation of Health
Muscle isn’t vanity. It’s the body’s largest site for burning glucose and storing energy. It protects against insulin resistance, keeps metabolism high, and preserves independence as we age. Every pound of muscle is like money in your health savings account.

Insulin: The Master Switch
Insulin’s job is simple—move glucose out of your blood and into your cells for fuel. But when we flood our bodies with sugar and processed junk, insulin stays high, and over time our cells stop listening. That’s insulin resistance. Strength training and eating real food help restore sensitivity so insulin works the way it should.

The Food Decision That Changed Everything
Big food companies want us hooked. They engineer ultra-processed products to hit “bliss points” that override hunger and satiety signals. They sell us the illusion of convenience while draining our health. The real shift came when I stopped playing their game. Choosing real, whole foods—meat, fish, eggs, fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds—became an act of freedom. Every trip to the grocery store is a decision: do I buy what fuels me, or what fools me?

Exercise: The Real Medicine
Lifting weights builds the muscle that keeps me metabolically healthy. Walking clears my head and steadies my energy. Short bursts of intensity train my heart and lungs to stay adaptable. Movement isn’t punishment for eating—it’s medicine.

The Bottom Line
Getting off the roller coaster means reclaiming your choices. More protein. More muscle. Real food instead of engineered junk. Better sleep. Daily movement. That’s how you build a body that works for you, not against you. It’s not just about living longer—it’s about living stronger.

08/29/2025

08/24/2025

I just completed the two-day Bioclear course, and I’m excited about what this means for my patients.

Bioclear is all about modern, minimally invasive dentistry. Instead of grinding down healthy teeth for crowns or relying on outdated filling techniques, Bioclear uses advanced matrix systems and composite materials to rebuild teeth with strength, function, and beauty. It lets us restore cavities, close black triangles, repair chips, and create natural, long-lasting smiles while preserving as much of the natural tooth as possible.

The hands-on training pushed me to refine my technique and think differently about how we approach restorative care. I came away with tools and strategies I can put into practice immediately—techniques that help me give patients stronger, more esthetic results and avoid the need for more aggressive treatment down the line.

At the end of the day, my goal is simple: healthier teeth, happier patients, and treatment that respects both form and function. This course was a big step forward in delivering exactly that.

08/23/2025

Best in the class course!!! Thank you for the opportunity to learn the next generation of esthetic dentistry. Love love this class. Thank you

08/23/2025

Thank you for our samples of whitening kits. Cannot wait to have these available at our office for our patients. First class whitening coming to our office soon.

08/02/2025

I recently placed a Dexcom continuous glucose monitor, and the difference has been huge—especially with the second sensor. I calibrated it with a finger stick once, and now I’m able to see in real time how different foods affect my blood sugar. Knowing what causes a spike is a total game changer. It’s clear now how far the Standard American Diet (SAD) is from what our bodies actually need.

Dr. Peter Attia would say this kind of real-time glucose feedback is one of the most powerful tools we have to understand and improve metabolic health—well beyond just diabetes. He emphasizes that keeping glucose stable is key to reducing the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease, Alzheimer’s, and cancer. For him, CGMs help people make precise lifestyle choices that support longevity.

Dr. Joel Fuhrman would highlight how processed foods and animal-heavy diets disrupt insulin sensitivity, and he’d strongly advocate for a diet centered around high-nutrient, plant-based foods—what he calls a “nutritarian” approach. He believes stable blood sugar is best achieved through natural, fiber-rich whole foods that fuel the body without triggering damaging glucose spikes.

In short, both would agree: you’re not just tracking data—you’re giving your body a better future.

Lately, I’ve also been eating like someone who actually has time—one bite at a time, chewing slowly, and setting my fork down like it’s a tiny break, not a race. Even my black coffee gets the royal treatment now—sipped slowly, not slammed like I’m being chased by a deadline.

Practicing Box Breathing
Box breathing is a simple but powerful breathing technique used to calm the nervous system and improve focus. It’s often used by athletes, Navy SEALs, and people dealing with high-stress situations.

Here’s how it works—imagine breathing in a box shape, with four equal sides:
1. Inhale slowly through your nose for 4 seconds
2. Hold your breath for 4 seconds
3. Exhale slowly through your mouth for 4 seconds
4. Hold again for 4 seconds
repeat 10 times

We need to prioritize self-care and be an example to our kids.

07/21/2025

For those of you who’ve noticed my weight loss—I want to reassure you: I’m healthy and prioritizing my health.

Back in April 2022, my husband bought me a Weight Gurus scale. I stepped on it and saw a number I hadn’t seen since the day I gave birth to Gregory. My dad was dying. COVID was everywhere. I was overwhelmed and stretched thin.

That moment shook me. I knew something had to change.

Then I discovered intermittent fasting—and Dr. Jason Fung’s work completely shifted how I saw food, health, and longevity. Over the next three years, I went from 157 lbs to 110 lbs. More than the number, I found energy, clarity, and a sense of control I hadn’t felt in years.

Along the way, I read and listened to books that transformed not just my habits—but my thinking. I plan to share more of those in the coming months in case you’re facing your own struggle: whether it’s weight, high blood pressure, prediabetes, stress, or just feeling stuck.

Right now, I’m listening to a powerful one: Outlive by Dr. Peter Attia. It’s not about living forever—it’s about living better. He talks about how we can protect our bodies and minds long before disease shows up, and how small, intentional changes now can buy us decades of health later.

If any part of this speaks to you, stay tuned. I’ll be sharing what’s worked for me—not as a prescription, but as a conversation.

You’re not alone in this.

07/20/2025

My son is my favorite person to cheer for, laugh with, and love endlessly. I’m working on staying healthy and strong—not just so I can keep up with him, but so I don’t miss a thing. I want to be there for the big moments, the little ones, and all the weird, wonderful stuff in between. As long as I’ve got breath in me, he’s stuck with me

07/20/2025

As a pediatric dentist, I see firsthand how food choices affect not just teeth, but overall health.

Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) was a game-changers for me (may need to calibrate it).

As parents we can help use the data gathered through the CGM in making better decisions on what we are feeding our children and our own bodies.

CGMs show in real time how different foods spike blood sugar, which helps us make smarter choices for our kids and ourselves. Fewer carbs mean fewer sugar crashes, fewer cavities, and fewer snacks. More protein and veggies mean better energy, focus, and long-term health.

Carbs, especially refined ones like chips, crackers, and sweets, break down into sugar that feeds cavity-causing bacteria and spikes blood sugar levels. Over time, frequent carb-heavy snacks increase the risk of both tooth decay and type 2 diabetes in children.

The latest CDC report shows type 2 diabetes is rising fast—even in kids. Let’s take care of ourselves now so we can be here, strong and healthy, for our families later.

07/20/2025

Walking into the new Barnes & Noble in Issaquah felt like stepping into a dream. The scent of fresh pages hit me instantly—warm, familiar, comforting. Shelves were lined with books in every color imaginable, their covers glowing like artwork under soft lights. I wandered in awe, soaking it all in and then bam, I hit a wall. Literally, a wall of Mel Robbins. Let Them!, The 5 Second Rule, The High 5 Habit—her words, her energy, her voice jumping right off the covers. , you always know exactly how to speak to my heart. ☀️