Our Blog

Lip and Tongue Tie Releases

What is a tongue tie? A tongue tie is when a tight thin string of tissue (lingual frenum) under the tongue restricts the movement of the tongue. We are all born with a lingual frenum, it connects the tongue to the floor of the mouth. However, for some newborns if the frenum is too tight […]

Is Invisalign Right For You?

The Invisalign treatment consists of a series of clear, snap-on, custom fit, removable mouth trays or aligners that apply a controlled amount of force to your teeth, forcing them to shift. The system provides the same beautiful results as traditional braces, but since the trays are made of clear plastic, they are virtually invisible. In […]

TMJ Disorders: Symptoms, Causes & What You Can Do About It

What is TMJ? TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint, or the jaw joint. Each person has two, one in front of each ear. The TMJ is the joint formed by the temporal bone of the skull with the lower jaw or mandible. This is the most highly used joint in the body. It moves every time […]

Top Tips for Preventing Crowding and Keeping your Teeth Healthy

At the age of six to seven years, the first baby teeth start to get loose and fall out and the permanent ones erupt.   During this age we may start to see signs of crowding.  Crowding or incorrect bites are usually a sign of incorrect growth.  We encourage each patient to keep their lips together, […]

Baby’s First Visit to the Dentist: What Age Should They Go?

It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page when looking at its layout.

@harvardrddentalcare
Mae Abdalla & Daniel Hendricks

@harvardrddentalcare

Family & Functional Dentistry 🦷 | Guelph 🧡Relationships&Optimal Health First 🪥Education&Prevention 👃Early ortho and jaw growth in kids 💤TMD& Snoring
  • One of the best things you can do for your child’s health is introduce brushing from the very beginning. Even before all the teeth are in, getting babies comfortable with brushing helps build healthy routines that can last a lifetime. 🪥🦷

Early brushing helps:
• Reduce cavity-causing bacteria
• Support healthy oral development
• Create positive dental habits
• Make future dental visits easier and less stressful

Healthy smiles start young. 🙌

#BabyTeeth #HealthyHabits #FamilyDentist #OralHealth #HealthySmile #KidsDentalHealth #MomLife #ParentingTips #DentalCare #GuelphDentist #AirwayHealth #FoundationsForHealth
  • ✨ Labial Frenulum Release in Action ✨

Today’s release was extra special. We had a Rockstar patient and the opportunity to collaborate with an amazing Osteopath, Angela Houston, (and Mom!) during the procedure. It was incredible to feel the gentle “unwinding” and release through the maxilla as the tension patterns changed in real time.

We used our CO₂ light scalpel laser, which allows for a precise, minimally invasive release and great healing.

A tight or restrictive labial frenulum (lip tie) can contribute to:
• Difficulty with breastfeeding or feeding in infants
• Gaps between the front teeth
• Limited lip mobility
• Improper oral posture and muscle function
• Increased tension through the face and jaw

Releasing the frenulum allows for improved mobility, better function, and more balanced growth and development of the oral structures.

Grateful to work with wonderful patients and interdisciplinary collaboration for optimal care and function.

#functionaldentistry #labialfrenectomy #airwaydentistry #liptie
  • Happy New Year from our family to yours!
Wishing everyone a 2026 filled with Health, Love and Adventure ✨
  • 🎅🦷 Even Santa doesn’t skip his dental cleanings!

Regular dental cleanings and check-ups aren’t just about a bright smile — they’re about protecting your entire body. Research consistently shows that plaque buildup leads to gum inflammation and bleeding, which allows harmful oral bacteria to enter the bloodstream and trigger systemic inflammation.

🧬 Your mouth is the gateway to your body.
When oral inflammation is present, studies link it to higher risk of:
• Cardiovascular disease (atherosclerosis, heart attack, stroke)
• Metabolic disorders including insulin resistance & diabetes
• Autoimmune and inflammatory conditions
• Respiratory infections
• Worsened gut health through disruption of the oral–gut microbiome pathway

🦠 The oral microbiome directly influences the gut microbiome. When pathogenic bacteria dominate the mouth, they can alter gut bacteria balance, driving chronic inflammation throughout the body.

✨ Healthy gums = lower inflammatory burden
Professional cleanings reduce plaque, bleeding, and inflammatory markers — supporting better metabolic, cardiovascular, and immune health.

📌 If your mouth isn’t healthy — you can’t be healthy.
Santa knows prevention is powerful… and so should you 😉
  • Wishing everyone a magical HOLIDAY season from all of us at Harvard Rd Dental Care and Santa himself 🎅
Our office will be closed at the end of day today Dec 19th and re-open to see you again January 5th! ✨🎄✨
  • ✨ Dry mouth? Cavity-prone?
PUR gum + mints contain xylitol and can help!

Xylitol is a win for dry mouth because it
🫧 Stimulates saliva production.
More saliva = better comfort, lubrication, and a healthier oral environment. Saliva helps buffer acids and wash away food debris. 

Xylitol also helps if you’re “cavity-prone” because 
🦠 Cavity-causing bacteria (like S. mutans) can’t use xylitol the way they use sugar—so it helps lower plaque acid attacks. Less acid + more saliva = a mouth that’s less cavity-friendly. 

✅ How to use it:
• Chew sugar-free xylitol gum after meals (when you can’t brush)
• Keep xylitol mints handy for meetings, commuting, dry mouth moments
• Pair with hydration + the right home-care plan we tailor for you 💛

⚠️ Important: Xylitol is dangerous for dogs—keep gum/mints out of reach of pets.
  • So much laughter and joy celebrating with our Harvard Rd Dental Care Family! 
Thanks for being the best team we could ever ask for. You are all truly special. We are very grateful to each of you 💗🎄💗
  • My Travel Essentials!
1. REMplenish water bottle. Habit stacking at its best. A water bottle and a myofunctional tool to optimize tongue strength and your airway health.
2. Sonicare Electric Toothbrush - very effective at removing plaque and the timer keeps you brushing for that full 2 minutes.
3. Floss - it’s not just for reducing your risk of cavities between your teeth. Improved gum health, reduces inflammation in your mouth. Your mouth is the gateway to your body. Reduced inflammation there translates to reduced inflammation in your body. Key to reducing risk of cardiovascular disease and SO many other health complications.
3. Stainless steel tongue scraper - again to reduce bacterial load. Your tongue is an indicator of your Health!
4. Electrolytes - LMNT is my go to. I like the flavours and keeps me hydrated and balanced.
5. AMCOP Bioactivator appliance - this is my favourite myofunctional appliance to guide growth in children. I use it to help with my jaw and to keep my tongue in the right position while sleeping. 
6. Medical paper tape - another favourite to make sure I’m always nasal breathing while sleeping.
7. A great book. Patrick McKeown’s latest book for Sleep. 

Other items I didn’t mention are vitamins. Even in the sun, I brought Vit D3/K2, Magesium and Zinc (a lot better of coughing and flu going around).

What are your travel essentials?!
  • REMplenish water bottles are a great myofunctional tool for ALL ages!
I have been using it and recommending it for solid year. It helps with proper tongue position during swallow and toning airway muscles. Anything to improve muscle function and can be incorporated in day to day routine is a huge help to successful integration and making good habits. If you’re curious.. give it a try! 
I clearly bring mine everywhere!
  • Meet Saba! Our wonderful high school co-op student!
We are Welcoming winter at the clinic with a festive touch! ❄️
Here’s a little glimpse of our holiday decor to bring some extra warmth to the season. 🎄