For The Love Of Smiles
Resources For Healthy TeethResources To Keep Your Smile Healthy & Beautiful
At To The Root Dental Hygiene, we value oral health education and providing outstanding care. Follow our blog for resources and posts that will share our knowledge, and keep you informed.
How Much Does a Teeth Cleaning Cost in Grande Prairie in 2026?
The teeth cleaning cost in Grande Prairie depends on the amount of scaling time required and whether your appointment includes an oral health assessment, x-rays, polishing, fluoride or other therapies/medicaments/reccommendations. There is no single price that...
What Is Holistic Dentistry Really?
Why It's About More Than Amalgam Fillings, Fluoride, or Root Canals When people search for holistic dentistry, they are often not starting from a blank slate. They already have something in mind. For many people, the phrase immediately brings up a short list of...
Environmental Impact of the Dental Industry
What Patients in Grande Prairie Should Know About Sustainable Dental Care Most people do not associate dental care with environmental impact. They think about brushing, flossing, and booking appointments when something feels off. But behind every appointment is a...
Social Prescribing and Oral Health: How Dental Hygiene Supports Whole-Person Care
Social Prescribing and Oral Health: How Dental Hygiene Supports Whole-Person Care Health care is becoming more collaborative, more community-focused and more aware of the real factors that influence wellbeing. One of the growing approaches that reflects this shift is...
Aging in Place and Oral Health: How Mobile Dental Hygiene Supports Comfort, Confidence and Dignity
Many people want to remain in their homes and familiar environments as they age. This desire for independence and comfort is often called aging in place. It focuses on maintaining quality of life in a setting that feels safe and personal. Oral health plays an...
Person Centered Care in Dental Hygiene: Why It Matters and How It Improves Oral Health
Person centered care has become a leading standard across health care, and dental hygiene is no exception. Oral health is an essential part of daily life. It affects comfort, nutrition, communication and confidence. When dental care is designed around the unique needs...
How Often Should You Book a Dental Hygiene Assessment?
One of the most common questions people ask about dental hygiene care is simple on the surface but more complex in reality: How often should I book a dental hygiene assessment? You may have heard the standard answer for years. Every six months. While that interval is...
Thyroid Conditions and Oral Health
We don’t usually think about our thyroid when we think about our teeth. But this small gland in your neck plays a bigger role in oral health than most people realize. Whether it's underactive (hypothyroidism) or overactive (hyperthyroidism), the thyroid can affect how...
Can You Trust AI for Dental Advice?
What to Know About Fact-Checking Oral Health Advice I have clients or inquiries from people asking me questions about things they’ve read from AI or web searches, so let’s talk about if it’s “good information” or a risky resource. From brushing tutorials on TikTok to...
Is Your Smile Under Attack? What You Should Know About Erosive Dental Wear
Is Your Smile Under Attack? What You Should Know About Erosive Dental Wear You know how everyone worries about cavities? Fair enough; they’ve earned their bad reputation. But there’s another sneaky threat to your teeth that doesn’t get nearly enough attention:...
Back-to-School Smiles: Why Summer Is the Best Time for Family Dental Care
Back-to-School Smiles: Why Summer Is the Best Time for Family Dental Care Summer is the ideal time to schedule dental hygiene visits for your family. Here we will go over why preventive care matters for children, what to expect during a visit, and how CDCP may help...
What Happens During a Dental Hygiene Visit
What Happens During a Dental Hygiene Visit (and why it matters more than you think!) Learn what to expect at a dental hygiene visit, common myths, and why prevention matters. Plus, how CDCP may help cover the cost of your next cleaning. Just because your mouth feels...
Confused About CDCP? You’re Not Alone!
Canadian Dental Care Plan - Why are so few people applying? AND how we can help! The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) was designed to help millions of Canadians access preventive dental care including assessments, cleanings, x-rays, Fluoride and more. ...
How Stress Affects Your Oral Health (And What to Do About It)
Is Stress Secretley Damaging Your Smile? We all know that stress takes a toll on our bodies—leading to headaches, insomnia, and even digestive issues—but did you know it can also impact your oral health? From jaw pain to gum disease, stress can create serious problems...
Dental Myths Debunked: The Truth Behind Common Oral Health Misconceptions
Separating Fact from Fiction in Dental Care We’ve all heard them—those persistent dental myths passed down through generations. Some sound logical, while others are downright bizarre. But how much truth is there to these common beliefs about oral health? Let’s bust...
What Your Tongue Says About Your Health: Surprising Clues Hiding in Your Mouth
The Secret Language of Your Tongue Imagine waking up one morning, looking in the mirror, and noticing your tongue has turned an unusual color. Maybe it’s white, red, or even slightly yellow. What does it mean? Believe it or not, your tongue can reveal important clues...
New Year, New Smile: How Oral Health Habits Can Combat the Post-Holiday Blues and Boost Your Overall Wellness
The Secret to Feeling Good in January Might Be in Your Smile The excitement of the holidays has faded, and as January unfolds, you may find yourself dragging your feet. The post-holiday slump is real, and it's more than just a bit of fatigue; it's often a mixture of...
The Hidden Superpowers of Your Teeth
The Hidden Superpowers Have you ever stopped to marvel at the incredible functions your teeth perform every day? From crunching down on an apple to crafting that perfect smile, teeth are more than just the visible stars of your mouth—they’re vital players in your...
Unlocking Accessible and Diverse Dental Hygiene
Unlocking Accessible and Diverse Dental Hygiene Care Picture this: a dental experience where diversity is celebrated, and accessibility is at the forefront. It’s not just about routine checkups; it’s about feeling welcome, understood, and cared for at every step of...
So, you want to be a Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH)…
So, you want to be a Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH)… First things first, you need to job shadow one. The easiest way to do that is to ask the Dental Hygienist (DH) who provides your care to do that. But, if you wanted to be a high performer, then I’d suggest that...
Nano-Hydroxyapatite: A Comprehensive Guide
Nano-Hydroxyapatite: A Comprehensive Guide So, first things first, I recognize that some topics are quite heated in dentistry and for some people, “Fluoride” is one of those things. I recognize that each person has their values and concerns when it comes to the...
The Compound Effect of Good Oral Hygiene Habits
The compound effect of good oral hygiene habits. A healthy smile awaits… Have you ever wondered what is the key to oral health or why you have chronic oral health conditions like gum disease and cavities? Brace yourself, because we are about to unveil some information...
These are a few of my favourite things: Elevating your dental hygiene routine.
These are a few of my favourite things: Elevating your dental hygiene routine. Do you ever wonder what will set apart the “mundane” routine to something you look forward to? I feel like one of the biggest pieces that is missing in our oral care routine is that it...
Understanding the Mysteries of Dental Benefits
Understanding the Mysteries of Dental Benefits All the things you want to know, and then maybe some extras you didn’t know you needed. I will be speaking to you candidly and in a generalized manner because everything is unique to each person/situation, but I’m...
Unlocking the Link Between Diabetes and Oral Health
November is Diabetes Awareness Month! “Adults 20 or older with diabetes are 40% more likely to have untreated cavities than similar adults without diabetes."(Sourced from the CDC) Did you know that having Diabetes not only affects blood sugar levels (systemic health)...
Alzheimer’s, Dementia and Oral Health
World Alzheimer month is every September, and this is a good time to reflect on the relationship between it and gum disease. Here’s a very basic description of what’s going on: What we know is that “bad” bacteria found in the mouths of those with periodontal (gum)...
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) & Dental Hygiene
September is recognized as Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Awareness month, and September 9th is the internationally recognized day. What is Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)? “It is a lifelong disability that affects the brain and body of people who were...
Oral Cancer – What You Need To Know
Oral cancer is a significant health concern that affects millions of people worldwide. It is characterized by an abnormal growth of cells that can occur in the mouth, lips, tongue, and/or throat. It has the potential to be life-threatening if not detected early...
Connecting Oral Health & Heart Health
February is “Heart Month”, so it’s a great time to address the connection between oral health and heart health! Gum Disease Can Be Avoided First off, Periodontal Disease aka Gum Disease is a PREVENTABLE chronic inflammatory condition of the areas in the bone...
What is Halitosis (also known as bad breath)?
What is Halitosis (also known as bad breath)? A fairly common problem that is caused by a few factors, such as poor oral hygiene (bacteria), periodontal (gum) disease, specific foods/drinks, tobacco use, specific medications, and medical conditions. Tips to Reduce Bad...
Oral Health Month
April is Oral Health Month! Our favourite part of it is National Dental Hygienist’s Week. Every year, we try to positively impact our community by providing oral health education sessions in classrooms, colouring contest draw, distributing oral hygiene packs to those...
Teeth Whitening
Since opening my practice in 2019, Teeth Whitening or Bleaching is one of the main questions I get asked about. More so, than when I worked in a traditional dental setting. As a provider, I felt like I did not want to recommend it because I had heard such terrible...
Does my child need Fluoride?
That depends, as a Dental Hygienist, I treat each person (child or adult) individually. What I recommended for one of my patients may not be necessary for the next patient. Before We Being Before we get into whether fluoride is the right choice for you or your child,...
Veneers, crowns, and bridges … Oh my.
I did a poll to see what people wanted more information on. I will address a few of dental treatment options that have a similar process. Veneers What are they? It can be used to make misaligned/gapped teeth look straight (as an alternative to orthodontic treatment),...
The Polish
I had a fellow dental hygienist ask me to write on this topic. One of the main purposes of polishing is to remove extrinsic/external stain. What is Polishing In the dental hygiene codes, it’s referred to as “stain removal (00531), and in the dental codes, it’s...
Dental Insurance Demystified
We are breaking down dental insurance myths! Myth #1 - My dental insurance tells what I need for treatment. No, your benefit plan may be determined by you or your employer. It is meant to offset the regular cost (think of it as a coupon). When they make plans, they...
Toothbrushing
How long do I need to brush my teeth? How Often? Twice a day is critical to remove the bacteria/plaque every 12 hours. Your toothbrush should be changed every 3 months, after you have been sick, or if it’s worn out (ideally, you won’t be brushing hard enough that this...
What’s up with the soft vs. medium vs. hard toothbrush?
In general, the harder or more abrasive something is the more likely it is to cause damage or trauma. When toothbrushing this trauma can happen on the gums (gingiva) or the tooth surface. It shows up as: Gingival abrasion-the gum is cut or scratched. Gingival...
Additional Resources
Looking for more information? Check out these reputable sources for dental hygiene information.
