Access Dental Hygiene Services-Care Provider

Attention COFFEE LOERS!! Acidic ph in the mouth is one of the key contributers in the risk of dental decay. Black coffee is high 4s to low 5s on the acidity scale. Neutral ph in the mouth comes at about 7 on that scale. Add sugar to your coffee and you can guess how that affects the risk of decay! It goes . Should you stop drinking coffee? Nah.... But take a look at HOW you drink your coffee. Best to have it with a meal, breakfast or lunch in order to buffer the acidity. Also, refrain from sipping all day long. You should finish your coffee within 20 min. See more

Mouthbreathing....HORRIBLE for your oral health AND overall health. With kids requiring masks at school it is very possible that they may develop a HABIT of breathing through their mouth and not their nose. Parents and grandparents watch out for this!! if you have questions or would like to chat further please send a PM.

In need of your opinion...please weigh in Mouthrinse...who uses it and what do you like to use? 1. Listerine/Scope... 2. Oral B 3. one that contains silver 4. Xylitol 5. Peroxide or perixide based 6. A natural brand 7. Your special concoction 8. other Thank you for your input!!

Here is some interesting information.. https://www.aaosh.org//natural-ways-to-reduce-gum-inflamma

THIS JUST IN!! 400 people LOVE good dental hygiene. So proud to have you all as a most excellent audience to learn pro tips on how to keep your groovy grins!! Canna get a woot woot!!?

Who do you know that has been diagnosed with diabetes or insulin resistance? These conditions add many risk factors when it comes to oral disease. Check out the attachment below to learn more! https://odha.on.ca//upl/2016/08/REV-ODHA-Diabetes-15-1.pdf

Heres some time on your hands!LOL Not a use for power toothbrushes that you would expect!

Summer sodas...soda water, its just bubbly water, right? Totally a good choice for the health of your teeth, right?? Maybe not!! sorry to burst your bubble. No pun intended Adding carbonation to flat water can make water acidic. Over time, it can irreversibly errode your enamel and cause a number of problems including sensitivity and adverse effects on the aesthetics of your teeth. ... Think you might have eroded enamel from acid drinks?! Ask your dental provider!

Have you been told you have eroded enamel? How about abfractions from clenching or poor bite relationship? What about abrasions on your teeth? Take a look below at what your dental professional is talking about. Sometimes its not easy to visualize from a dental providers verbal description of your issue so this may help!

1Do you take calcium/magnesium supplement? AND 2Do you typically build a lot of dental tartar to be removed at dental hygiene appointments? You MAY be taking too much of your supplement or taking it incorrectly and the excess of the supplement that is not being absorbed is adding to your tartar accumulation. The average body only absorbs up to 500-600 mg per dosage. Check with your primary medical provider and confirm your dosage and dose schedule to make sure you are getting it right for you!

Will you decorate your home today?? Happy Canada Day to all! https://www.google.ca/amp/s/www.cbc.ca/amp/1.5633812

True or false: The proper term for a teeth cleaning is Periodontal Maintenance Therapy?True or false: The proper term for a teeth cleaning is Periodontal Maintenance Therapy?

Mouth breathing has some detrimental effects to our health and our oral health. Some things that may be affecting you by encouraging you to breathe through your mouth are: 1. seasonal allergies 2. mask wearing 3. pet allergies 4. rhinovirus (common cold)... Try to notice if you are breathing through your mouth out of habit (not due to nasal congestion) and CLOSE your mouth. If you think you may be doing it without noticing, have family members alert you to it if they notice. Its always best to prevent a stuffy nose. If you are not into antihistamines, consider removing the irritant from your sinus by use of a Netti Pot (its kinda gross but it works!) If you have to mouth breathe due to congestion, perhaps a lubricating mouth rinse can help decrease the negative oral effects of mouth breathing. Ask your pharmacist for recommendations. Also...frequent sips of flat water through the day is a good idea too!

Charcoal toothpaste... to erode or not to erode..THAT is the question!! https://www.reuters.com//charcoal-toothpaste-may-do-harm-a

Hello everyone! Dental Hygienists in Alberta are still eagerly awaiting the new safe practice procedures and processes guidelines from our regulatory body. This is quite the process as they collaborate with AB Dental College to make our guidelines compatible and complimentary. Some dental offices have opened to perform emergent and also urgent care (most are doing only non-aerosol generating procedures). Until then, immaculate plaque control is your BEST BET!!!!

TURNING TO BOOZE & CIGS a little more often lately to cope with stress and anxiety? You should know the dangers of tobacco use and how the risk is exacerbated by smoking IN CONJUNCTION with alcohol use. Check out the supports and tools on Alberta Quits. Could this be the year you kick the habit!!?... You have resources available to you!! https://www.albertaquits.ca

Are you trying to be more eco-conscious? How about lowering your waste with options like these. 1.Reusable silicone floss 2.Refillable glass floss container? Brilliant!

CLENCHING more lately? Clenching and grinding can be exacerbated by stress and anxiety. Who doesnt have stress and feel anxious nowadays!?... What can you do? 1. If you have the habit and have a fabricated mouthguard that fits...wear it! 2. Be aware in the waking hours if your teeth are touching (top teeth occluding with bottom). There should be space between upper and lower teeth. 3. Self massage to elongate and relax the masseter muscles (chewing muscles in the cheeks) can be helpful. 4. If you cannot get into see a dental provider about a mouthguard they do have boil and bite style sold in most pharmacies that may work for you until you can get a custom guard made. 5. If you have tempromandibular joint inflammation(TMJ) an anti-inflammatory medication may help. *consult your doctor if you have any questions about that. 6. If you are in a lot of TMJ pain , this would constitute an emergency that you can book in with your dentist to investigate. (or they can connect you with a provider seeing emergent cases)

RED WINE lovers! Are you finding yourself pouring yourself a glass a little more often lately? Your dental hygiene maintenance is on hold as ALL routine dental procedures are currently suspended.... Did you Know.... Besides stain being unsightly, it also attracts MORE plaque biofilm (that causes increased chance of gum disease and decay) SO! For now, unless your stain is QUITE widespread, you can do spot treatments in the key areas where stain is visible. Heres how... 1. Take a qtip, moisten under water 2. Dip the tip in baking soda 3. Spot treat the areas of VISIBLE stain. *Avoid scrubbing all surfaces with this abrasive material. If no stain available then the abrasive can erode enamel.* General note: Careful with other abrasive pastes used daily, it can thin enamel and cause issues for you. These might include some whitening toothpastes or charcoal toothpaste. These should be used only a few times per month when teeth appear dull from stain. If youd like more info, send a dm!!

STRESS!! Who has some of that nowadays??! We know that stress can cause all sorts of negative effects on our health. So too, is the effect on oral health. Consider the following: 1. Inflammation is more prevalent in those experiencing stress. Gingivitis is an inflammatory dental disease.... 2. You may be clenching or grinding your teeth now or to an increasing level. We call this bruxism. 3. We tend to rely on unhealthy habits to comfort ourselves that may include increased substance use/abuse and poor diet choices. These have an effect on our teeth and gums. 4. Stress affects our immune system and our ability to fight the effect of harmful bacteria in the oral cavity. Finding ways to relieve stress in a healthy manner is the way to combat the detrimental effects of stress. Meditation, prayer, journalling to get those stressful thoughts out can be helpful. Staying connected especially with those who uplift and relieve your stress can lower stress...who makes you laugh? Exercise is often a stress reliever so stay active. Thankfully we are heading into spring which often brings up spirits as we take in the fresh air, warmer temperatures and sunshine. Check the website attached for other ways to relieve stress.Be well!! https://www.skillsyouneed.com/ps/stress-tips.html

BOREDOM! All this stayin home making you bored? (ask any kid under the age of 13, theyll be happy to tell you all about it) Maybe its time to fill the extra time with trying something new OR implementing a good old habit from the past...FLOSSING!... If you are keen, check out the 21 Day Flossing Challenge for tips tricks and motivations that help make this good habit easier to put into effect. Who knows, maybe youll be posting #thankscovid for a new good habit that sticks!! https://www.facebook.com/groups/1708757689187254/?ref=share

SNACKS!! You may find yourself snacking a LOT more these days. Things to consider... 1. What are you choosing to snack on? Be aware of foods high in sugar, foods that are fermentable carbohydrates (chips crackers etc) and sticky foods. 2. Use frequent sips of water to buffer and wash down particles that can interact with plaque to cause increase acidity in the mouth (that can contribute to tooth decay) 3. Kids are particularly susceptible to the risks of all-day grazing. After snacks make sure they drink water to buffer and check the molars after sticky foods like fruit leather or raisins. Any debris stuck on molars after snacking will expel a sugar source that may break down enamel. 4. Cheese is particularly good at buffering acidity in the mouth so plan to pop a bite of cheese in after a snack! 5. For a cavity to form you need plaque bacteria and a sugar source so immaculate plaque control each day lowers your chances of a cavity forming. 6. Drinks, any drink that has a sugar component should be enjoyed in a short period of time, not sipped all day over a number of hours. Finish drinks other than water within 20 min or enjoy with a meal. Stay strong, stay safe and stay healthy out there everyone!!

Wondering how everyone is doing these days with the new normal as some medical authorities put it. The staying in, self isolation, homeschooling, working from home and being out of work or having work on hold. I did some research on the new and/or increasing activities that many are finding themselves doing as they pass the time during the pandemic. In addition to the activities are certain feelings and emotions. Guess what? All of the above can have and effect on our oral health! Over the next few weeks I will be posting about things that might put us at risk for oral disease and what we can do to minimize the risks! Stay tuned!

Hoping that everyone is staying safe out there, staying smart and looking after loved ones. Since non-emergent dental visits are on standby mode, just a friendly reminder to look after your oral health and maintain stellar plaque control!! Brush/floss/waterpik and whatever else you do for your oral care, keep up the great work!!!

DID YOU KNOW...the processes of dental hygiene delivery of care takes into account the fact that any person can be carrying ANY disease and therefore we employ Universal Precautions. What this means is that our process of delivery of treatment, disinfection and disinfectants utilized, plus all sterilization procedures consider protection against ALL known viral and bacterial infections. Hope this helps your peace of mind!!

Moms of young kids listen up! Are you concerned that your child has been diagnosed with tooth decay and you have been given a lengthy and expensive treatment plan that is alarming? Ask if your child is a candidate for SDF. SDF is a cavity arrest treatment that can stop a cavity from further progression that brings on the following: 1. Toothache 2. Pulpotomy(root canal for baby teeth) 3. Steel crowns for baby teeth 4. Requirement for extraction... It is a minimally invasive treatment that doesnt require freezing or sedation and takes minutes to apply. Its worth a conversation to discuss as an option. Read below to find out more. https://www.healthline.com/health/silver-diamine-fluoride

February is heart month and you have likely heard a lot about how to promote heart health through articles and postings in the media. Have you come across ORAL HEALTH tips that support and encourage better heart health? Well flossing is one of those things!! Wonder why? check out the Harvard article below and get in the know!

The Code of Ethics that a practicing Registered Dental Hygienist strives to maintain are as follows: 1. Beneficence- principle of doing good 2.Veracity and Integrity- principle of honesty 3. Autonomy and informed choice- assisting clients in making informed choices about their oral health... 4. Privacy and Confidentiality- protecting the confidentiality of acquired client information 5. Accountability- accept responsibility for actions, behaviours and decisions 6. Professionalism- use professional skills and knowledge to serve the needs of client See more

Hey, who is jazzed about the new Waterpik two in one sonic brush and water flosser combo unit? "Waterpik Sonic Fusion" See the pros and cons before you buy... Pros... 1. Power brushes tend to clean more effectively (if you have been coached by a professional on how to adapt the brush properly to your teeth) 2. Space saver if you want both a power brush AND waterpik tool 3. Waterpik can clean between the teeth so if flossing is not your jam this will help with the in-between plaque removal Cons 1. SO messy to use both actions at the same time! Manufacturer says it can be done but not seemingly with any efficiency 2. Not convenient if you don't have a plug-in near the bathroom sink 3. Both tools require dexterity for best results, especially the waterpik If you have further thoughts on this tool please weigh in on the comments below!!

Final post for Fashion Week at Access Dental Hygiene... heres a courageous display...thinking this girl enjoys a pureéd diet

Day 4 of Fashion Week at Access Dental Hygiene....too much? The fangs are kind of wild!!

Day 3 of Fashion Week at Access Dental Hygiene! These are more commonly seen and many who wear these gems are dental people! What do you think?

Day 2 of Fashion Week at Access Dental Hygiene. A take on the family ring??!

Its Fashion Week at Access Dental Hygiene... what do you think of this little number?? Do I have something in my teeth??

Exciting week next week...its Fashion Week at ADHS!! Stay tuned!!

Hows your flossing resolution coming along? Perhaps these will help!