Access Dental Hygiene Services-Care Provider

08/29/2026

08/06/2026

Operatory Of The Day! “ootd”

Hanging out with the UPLIFTING folks at The Edward: Boutique Living by Chartwell! This community is a shining testament to thriving in style. A stunning building in a stunning neighbourhood with inspiring residents and an equally inspiring staff.

A most excellent !

08/06/2026

SDF, has the ability to stop dental cavities in a significant number of cases, if applied appropriately and in a timely manner.

A simple liquid treatment applied in seconds may help many people avoid dental drilling.

Unlike conventional cavity treatment, SDF is brushed directly onto the decayed tooth and may require no drilling, injections, or sedation. The treatment combines the antibacterial properties of silver with the remineralizing effects of fluoride, helping arrest active decay by reducing cavity-causing bacteria and strengthening softened tooth structure.

🔵Minimally Invasive Dentistry in Children

A major randomized clinical trial found that 38% silver diamine fluoride (SDF) arrested tooth decay in more than half of treated baby teeth when applied every six months, providing strong clinical evidence for this minimally invasive approach to managing early childhood cavities.

Researchers found that more than half of the treated baby teeth had their cavities successfully arrested, reinforcing SDF as an effective evidence-based option for managing early childhood tooth decay. By helping preserve baby teeth until they naturally fall out, SDF may reduce the risk of pain, infection, and the need for more invasive dental procedures in many young children.

As minimally invasive dentistry continues to advance, studies like this are expanding treatment options that make dental care more comfortable, accessible, and effective.

📚 Reference
Fontana M, Moursi A, Gonzalez-Cabezas C, et al. Efficacy of Silver Diamine Fluoride on Young Children With Severe Early Childhood Caries: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Pediatrics. 2026.

07/17/2026

I’m SO excited to announce that Access Dental Hygiene is celebrating 13 years in practice!

I am very blessed to have excellent clients that I love to go see each day. Thank you to ALL that have used my service and continue to do so, it is a privilege to help you keep your smiles healthy and looking fabulous!!

07/13/2026

😴 This is why persistent mouth breathing should never be ignored during childhood.

Breathing through the nose does much more than deliver air to the lungs. During childhood, normal nasal breathing helps support healthy airway function, proper tongue posture, balanced jaw growth, and normal facial development.

When mouth breathing becomes a long-term habit—often because of allergies, enlarged adenoids or tonsils, or chronic nasal blockage—it may influence how the face and jaws develop over time.

Research has linked persistent mouth breathing with a narrower upper jaw, a high-arched palate, crowded teeth, increased overjet, and a longer, narrower facial appearance in some growing children. These changes are thought to occur because the tongue rests lower in the mouth instead of against the palate, reducing the natural support needed for normal maxillary development.

Not every child who breathes through the mouth develops these features, but the risk is higher when the habit persists during the years of active growth.

Nasal breathing also allows air to pass through the nasal passages, where nitric oxide is naturally produced. This molecule helps improve airflow, oxygen exchange, and circulation. Studies have also associated chronic mouth breathing with poorer sleep quality, lower oxygen efficiency, and daytime problems such as reduced concentration and fatigue.

Facial growth is influenced by many factors, including genetics and overall health. However, persistent mouth breathing should never be considered "normal." Identifying and treating the underlying cause early can help support healthier facial growth, better sleep, improved airway function, and may reduce the need for more complex orthodontic treatment later.

Healthy facial development begins with healthy breathing habits.

• Source: American Journal of Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics (AJO-DO)

06/26/2026

Thank you to my friend Kate Tilson and her agent for creating this lovely photo of “my patient and I”!

06/19/2026

Did you know brushing alone only cleans about 60-70% of your tooth surfaces?

Cleaning between your teeth every day is essential for healthy gums and preventing cavities. If traditional floss is difficult to use or uncomfortable, a water flosser, such as a Waterpik®, may be an excellent option.

Water flossers use a gentle stream of water to remove plaque and food debris from hard-to-reach areas and are especially helpful for people with braces, implants, bridges, or dexterity challenges.

Around here, we're happy to help you choose the interdental cleaning method that best fits your needs and lifestyle.

06/18/2026

Do you know if you do?

What might you notice if you did?

(Do you know what gingivitis is?)

05/21/2026

Gum disease and eye health linked?

Researchers in Texas have reported a possible connection between periodontal disease (gum disease) and a wide range of eye conditions, raising new questions about how oral inflammation may affect overall eye health.

In this large retrospective study, researchers analyzed anonymized medical records to investigate whether people with periodontal disease were more likely to develop eye diseases over time. The study included patients who had visited both a dentist and an eye specialist. One group included patients diagnosed with periodontal disease, while the control group included patients without gum disease. After matching both groups for factors such as age, medical conditions, smoking history, medications, and eye injuries, each group included 12,507 patients.

The researchers then evaluated the 10-year risk of multiple ophthalmic conditions. Patients with periodontal disease showed significantly higher rates of several eye problems, including conjunctivitis, corneal ulcers, inflammation inside the eye (iridocyclitis), retinal and chorioretinal inflammation, retinal hemorrhage, retinal artery occlusion, dry eye syndrome, blepharitis, cataracts, optic atrophy, and both open-angle and angle-closure glaucoma. Increased rates of certain retinal degenerative conditions were also observed.

Because periodontal disease is a chronic inflammatory condition influenced by oral bacteria and the immune system, the researchers believe inflammation may play an important role in these associations. However, the study does not prove that gum disease directly causes eye disease. The authors noted that further research is needed to better understand the relationship and whether additional eye screening may benefit patients with periodontal disease.

📄 Source: Nanduri RS, Govindaraju P, Golovko G, Banaee T. The Effect of Periodontal Disease on Ophthalmic Conditions: A Multicenter Retrospective Cohort Study. Presented at: Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) Annual Meeting; 2026. Abstract 3068-0406.