Clean Smile Dental Hygiene Studio

11/07/2025

Remember gum disease and tooth decay is contagious between people you kiss!

When two people kiss, they’re not just sharing affection — they’re exchanging microbes.
A study in the Microbiome Journal found that a single 10-second kiss can transfer around 80 million bacteria between partners.
Those who kiss about nine times a day develop nearly identical saliva microbiomes, meaning their oral bacteria become the same.
The act may even help train the immune system — love literally reshapes your microbiome. 💋🧬

📄 Source:
Kort, R. et al. Shaping the oral microbiota through intimate kissing. Microbiome 2, 41 (2014).

10/28/2025

When a pacifier habit continues beyond the age of two, it can begin to reshape how the jaws and teeth grow. The constant sucking pressure changes the balance between tongue, lips, and muscles — gradually pushing teeth and bones out of their natural alignment.

Over time, this can cause what dentists call an open bite — when the front teeth don’t meet even when the mouth is closed. It can also narrow the upper jaw, make teeth protrude, and affect the way a child swallows or speaks.

These changes don’t happen overnight. They develop silently, while the pacifier seems harmless on the surface. But once the jaw and bite adapt to this prolonged pressure, correcting it often requires orthodontic treatment later in life.

Pediatric dentists recommend weaning off the pacifier by 18–24 months to allow natural oral muscle balance and healthy jaw growth. Early awareness can prevent long-term dental complications and support normal speech and facial development.

📄Source: PMC2791560

🔹 Disclaimer: This post is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional dental advice.

08/14/2025

Keeping a healthy oral cavity is so important! When was your last dental cleaning?

I’ve watched this play out too many times: someone brushes off a little bleeding when they floss, only to find themselves decades later with a stent in their chest.

When gums get inflamed, that tight seal between the gum and tooth starts to loosen. This gives bacteria from your mouth a direct route into your blood.

Once they’re in, your immune system reacts. Inflammation goes up, your blood vessels take a hit, and over time, this can help plaque build up in your arteries.

That’s why people with gum disease are at a higher risk for heart attacks and strokes.

Healthy gums aren’t just about keeping your teeth—they’re about protecting your heart.

Have you ever had a dentist connect those dots for you? Or perhaps you’re a healthcare practitioner interested in the mouth-body connection?

👉Comment CE to join the waitlist for my functional dentistry online CE course.

05/27/2025

Japanese scientists have begun human trials of a new drug designed to regrow human teeth, offering a potential alternative to traditional implants and dentures. The drug, TRG-035, works by inhibiting the USAG-1 protein, which suppresses tooth development.

In animal trials, it successfully activated dormant tooth buds and led to new tooth growth in mice and ferrets. The initial human trial, underway at Kyoto University Hospital, involves 30 adults aged 30 to 64 who are missing at least one tooth. This first phase will assess the drug’s safety before moving to pediatric trials targeting children with congenital tooth agenesis, a condition where permanent teeth never form.

If successful, the researchers hope to launch the treatment commercially by 2030, positioning it as a revolutionary biological solution to tooth loss and a potential replacement for artificial implants.

04/21/2025

Did you know taking care of your teeth could also benefit your brain? A recent study found periodontal (gum) disease and tooth loss were linked to brain shrinkage in the hippocampus, which plays a role in memory and Alzheimer’s disease.

For individuals with mild gum disease, having fewer teeth was linked to faster brain shrinkage, while severe gum disease correlated with a faster rate of brain shrinkage, regardless of the number of teeth. These findings underscore the significance of retaining teeth and preserving oral health.

The researchers emphasize the importance of regular visits to oral health professionals and controlling gum disease progression to maintain brain health. Future studies will explore these connections further, but for now, remember a healthy smile could mean a healthier brain.

Consult a dental hygienist for tips on maintaining oral health.

To learn more about the study, visit:

- https://www.aan.com/PressRoom/Home/PressRelease/5097
- https://www.neurology.org/doi/10.1212/WNL.0000000000207579

04/10/2025

Oral health is important for overall health. Tooth decay in your child can be prevented by:
-wiping your baby’s gums and teeth after feeding
-offering only water between meals and snacks
-using a smear of non-fluoride toothpaste when brushing their teeth
-visiting a dental professional by one year of age

Learn more: hpph.ca/dental

04/10/2025

If your dental hygienist has recommended talking to your dentist about a night guard please go see the dentist and don't buy an over the counter night guard. Yes a night guard custom made for you is an investment but they are 💯 worth the investment in yourself!

02/27/2025

Emerging research suggests that Alzheimer’s disease may be linked to an unexpected culprit — gum disease.

A study discovered the presence of Porphyromonas gingivalis, a bacteria responsible for chronic periodontitis, in the brains of deceased Alzheimer’s patients.

Researchers found that when mice were infected with the bacteria, it colonized their brains and triggered the production of amyloid beta, a protein commonly associated with Alzheimer’s. This evidence strengthens the hypothesis that the disease could have infectious origins rather than being solely a neurodegenerative disorder.

The study also revealed that toxic enzymes from the bacteria were present in individuals who had Alzheimer's-related brain changes but had not yet been diagnosed with dementia, suggesting the infection may begin years before symptoms appear.

This discovery opens the door to new potential treatments. A pharmaceutical company, Cortexyme, developed a compound called COR388, which showed promise in reducing both bacterial infection and amyloid beta accumulation in animal trials. While human trials are needed to confirm its effectiveness, the study underscores the importance of oral hygiene in brain health. Scientists remain cautiously optimistic, emphasizing that with no new dementia treatments in over 15 years, investigating all possible causes is crucial. While more research is needed, the link between gum disease and Alzheimer’s highlights a simple yet vital message: taking care of your teeth might help protect your brain in the long run.

Learn more: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.aau3333

01/07/2022

"K. Pneumonia can cause a wide range of infections in humans."

09/20/2021

Tongue cleaning is something I recommend for all ages.

Tongue cleaning maintains respiratory function in older individuals according to results from a randomized controlled trial published in the Journal of Oral Rehabilitation. (Via )
https://www.practiceupdate.com/c/122464/1/23/
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/joor.13165

12/22/2020

The studio will be able to stay open during this lockdown.

The Ontario government has announced a provincial lockdown starting 12:01 a.m. December 26. ODHA has been monitoring the pandemic closely, participating in daily provincial briefings. We are thankful regulated health professionals are included as essential services, and dental hygienists along with other regulated health professionals can continue to practise during the lockdown. View the full press release here: https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/59790/ontario-announces-provincewide-shutdown-to-stop-spread-of-covid-19-and-save-lives