Tooth or Dare Podcast

Xylitol does it all—at least when it comes to fighting cavity-causing bacteria! In Part 2 of Irene’s chat with Epic Dental’s Donald and Monica Bailey, they dive into the science of how xylitol targets Streptococcus mutans while sparing good bacteria. The Baileys also discuss their commitment to education, product transparency, and making it easier for dental pros to help patients maintain oral health.

Learn more & explore the r...

Can gum and mints really help with cavities? Science says yes, if they contain xylitol like the ones from Epic Dental!

Joining Irene this week on the podcast are Donald and Monica Bailey, the husband and wife team behind the business. In Part 1 of this interview, hear the story of how Donald started the company, how he met Monica when she was using a competing product, and the amazing synergy that happened when they put their talen...

In this episode of Op Talk, Irene and Vic discuss Scaling and Root Planning (SRPs) and how to effectively monitor periodontal disease progression in patients.

This complex condition can be challenging to manage, but having a clear clinical protocol helps simplify treatment planning and patient education.

We explore key questions, such as:

• When is periodontitis considered stable or in remission?
• What clinical and behavioural fa...

Well, I didn't see this one coming...

In this deeply personal episode, I share the whole story behind my recent academic appeal to George Brown College after being declined admission to the S305 Honours Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene Degree Completion program in October 2024. The original reasoning was that 21-year-old Irene went to the "wrong" school 17 years ago. One that didn't prepare 39-year-old Irene for the academic j...

"I have TMJ" - Yes, patient... you have two actually.

If you are a practising dental clinician, chances are you’ve encountered patients with temporomandibular joint dysfunction - TMD.

In Part 2 of this interview, Irene discusses this tricky disorder with Dr. Tony Urbanek, who specializes in its treatment using wearable custom-made devices.

• Why is it more prevalent in women than men?
• What makes it so controversial and diffi...

Meet Dr. Tony Urbanek, an oral-maxillofacial surgeon with a list of wild tales as long and varied as his accomplishments in the dental field.

• How do you find a surgical laser in 1978 Tennessee?
• What does a quarter of an airplane cost, and how much medical gear can you fit inside a whole one?
• How do you establish a medical clinic in Jamaica?

You’ll be hard-pressed to find someone with more life-changing experiences an...

Periodontal Probing and Billing deep dive in this episode.

Irene and Vic address probing - a non-invasive, deceptively simple yet fundamental tool for monitoring oral health.

• Does it matter whether it’s done by a dentist or hygienist?
• When is it time for a full-mouth probe, and how does it fit into a patient’s treatment plan?
• How appointments are billed in the United States compared to Canada and potential concerns.

To s...

​​"The more popular you are on social media, the fewer friends you have."

In this episode of the Tooth Order Podcast, Dr. Amanda Wilson returns to share insights on helping general dentists with clear aligner therapy and virtual consultations. From her journey in orthodontics to educating dentists on how to handle mild to moderate cases, Dr. Wilson discusses the benefits of clear aligner therapy, the use of digital tools, and the ...

"Well-behaved women seldom make history."

Laurel Thatcher Ulrich

Meet Dr. Amanda Wilson, a San Francisco native whose journey in dentistry has taken her from the heart of the Bay Area to the beautiful shores of Honolulu, Hawaii. Dr. Wilson earned her dental degree from UCSF Dental School and went on to achieve her Master of Dental Science and Orthodontics Certification at the University of Connecticut. With over a decade of clinica...

Dental Hygiene Scheduling: New Patients, Recalls & SRPs | Tooth Or Dare Podcast with Toothlife.Irene

In this episode of Tooth Or Dare, Irene & Vic discuss one of the most frequently asked questions in clinical practice: How much time should be allocated for different types of dental hygiene appointments?

We break down: - Recommended timeframes for new patient exams, recare visits, and SRPs - Instrument lifespan and when r...

In Part 2 of this conversation with Dr. Charlie, we focus on her content creation which includes lifestyle as well as dental themes. Irene and Dr. Charlie share the struggles of finding their unique style while staying true to their goals of educating their followers. If you’ve ever scrolled all the way down someone’s feed, it’s often eye-opening how much things have changed since they started. Do they follow trends and memes, chas...

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by all of life’s obligations - work, family, friends, personal goals - just know you’re not alone. As humans, we are amazingly adaptable to stressful situations, but our bodies and minds can only handle it for so long. Dr. Charlie Cage has been living in “survival mode” since going through dental school and working as a dentist in the Navy. In Part 1 of this conversation, she shares her experience of...

Whether you’re a longtime follower or a first-time listener, you may not know the story behind Toothlife.Irene! In this special Op Talk episode, the tables are turned with Vic as our host and Irene as the guest. Learn some lesser-known facts like:

• What sport did she play competitively in school?
• The reason she got into dental hygiene?
• How di...

What if you could help a child develop straighter teeth without the need for braces while also improving their breathing, sleep, and jaw development—all with the power of teledentistry? That’s exactly what Dr. Kalli Hale achieves with Toothpillow, an innovative pre-orthodontic treatment system. In this inspiring Part 2 episode, we explore how Dr. Hale’s approach is redefining pediatric dentistry and the transformative possibilities...

Are dentists at high risk of Mercury poisoning? Does that increase the risk of Suicide? Is snoring normal? All these questions and more are discussed in this week's episode, you may be shocked at what you'll hear.

Irene Iancu engages in a compelling conversation with Dr. Kalli Hale, a second-generation dentist renowned for her expertise in airway-centered dentistry and her leadership as Chief Dental Officer at Toothpillow. Dr. Hal...

So your office doesn't have a strong Perio program, that's cool we've got you. In this episode of Op Talk, Irene and Vic tackle a pressing question from a social media follower about implementing a periodontal protocol in her practice for the first time. The hosts dive deep into the essentials of building a comprehensive Perio protocol, referencing the Perio Flow Chart from Irene made easily found Toothlife.ca as a valuable resourc...

Welcome to the 165th episode of the Tooth or Dare Podcast with Irene Iancu (@toothlife.irene) and this week's guest Dr. Andi-Jean Miro (@aestheticsbyandi). 

We return to celebrity dentist Dr. Andi this week to discuss some controversial practices in cosmetic dentistry. Is the rising popularity of over-the-counter dental procedures good or bad? What’s the real cost of patients getting their teeth done overseas, attracted by the lowe...

Welcome to the 164th episode of the Tooth or Dare Podcast with Irene Iancu (@toothlife.irene) and this week's guest Dr. Andi-Jean Miro (@aestheticsbyandi). AKA a baddie in the industry of creating beautiful cosmetic smiles and boy oh boy and I am honoured to call her a friend. 

Let’s face it - most patients hate going to the dentist, usually because they associate it with pain or discomfort. As a cosmetic dentist, Dr. Andi actively...

Welcome to the 163rd episode of the Tooth or Dare Podcast with Irene Iancu (@toothlife.irene) and co-host Victoria Armaly (@victoriaarmaly_). 

This is the first of the new “Op Talk” series, in which Irene and Vic will discuss all things dental straight from the Toothlife operatory. We invite listeners to submit their questions for our hosts to answer on upcoming episodes - stay tuned to find out how to get yours in.

As this is ou...