Why should I get braces?

Why should I get braces? 

There are two main reasons to consider orthodontic treatment. 

1. To improve the aesthetics of you smile. 
2. To improve the function of your bite. 
Orthodontic treatment can correct, crooked, crowded and rotated teeth. As well as overbites, underbites and TMJ/TMD (jaw issues). 

 


Are there any other benefits to getting braces? 

Yes, having better aligned teeth can help prevent decay, gum disease and bone loss. You will have less plaque and food trapped between and around teeth, allowing you to easily maintain optimal oral care with regular brushing and flossing. In addition, once your teeth are better aligned in to a functional comfortable bite the risk of irregular enamel wear and TMJ (jaw) pain are dramatically decreased. 

Click here for more information about the benefits of braces 

Handy Dental Tips from Natalie, our hygienist

Handy Dental Tips:


1. Rinse your mouth with water after meals. Can’t brush or floss throughout the day? Rinse with water to reduce the acid in your saliva.

2. Mechanically clean and promote oral health with crunchy, firm foods like; nuts and apples to clean soft sticky foods from the teeth.

3. Eating whole wheat vs white carbs. White carbohydrates and processed foods breakdown into sugar during digestion. Replacing theses foods with whole grain products can help reduce sugar in your diet. Eg brown rice/bread/whole grain crackers.

4. Cheese. 100% real cheese that is hard example cheddar is a food that reduces acid.

5. Don’t share foods with infants/ children. Cavities are contagious and some of us are more prone to them than others. As babies we are not born with the bad bacteria in our mouth to produce cavities it is passed onto us. Eg tasting babies food before feeding them, kissing children on the lips.

6. When eating candies/sweets let your children eat them at one time rather than throughout the day limiting the amount of attacks throughout the day. Have them brush afterwards and or rinse with water.

Example: Five chocolates at once rather than one each hour or more.

Tips: Lollipops and gum: Keeping these to a time limit or telling children to chew them may be better than constantly sucking on them over a long period of time.

7. Fats and minerals in foods

Healthy fats help reduce acid making healthier teeth and gums while also ensuring proteins and cells in the body are healthy.

Minerals found in vegetables help to keep strong structures and fight the cavity process as well.

Natalie Chiofalo
RDH

A follow up to our last Sleep Apnea article

As I stated in last month, there are serious health implications to untreated sleep apnea. 

The first step is a referral to your MD who in turn would refer you to a sleep clinic. At the sleep clinic, you would spend the night and there they would monitor the quality of sleep you get and the number of episodes in which you stop breathing and for how long.

 I did not mention in the last newsletter, the other reason sleep is so important is it allows our body to repair itself. But, you need to get the proper REM sleep phase in order for your body to recover.

Another aspect is weight loss is difficult without proper sleep.

Once the sleep study has been performed and evaluated. There are 3 forms of sleep apnea: mild, moderate and severe. The number of episodes that you stop breathing in 1 hour is how they rate you in terms of mild to severe. There have been a number of treatments over the years, but to date the gold standard is a CPAP, especially for sever sleep apnea. CPAP, which stands for continuous positive airway pressure, works as the name suggests by keeping the airway open with positive constant pressure. The big problem with CPAP’s is compliance. Many patients just do not wear them (ie over 50% never wear it).

The other treatment option is an oral appliance, which works by positioning the lower jaw forward slightly, which in turn opens the airway. This appliance works well for mild to moderate sleep apnea. With regards to severe sleep apnea, the oral appliances can be used in combination with the CPAP, in order to lower the pressure and hence make the CPAP more tolerable.

One other choice if the CPAP is not tolerable, is to just go with an oral sleep appliance, which will improve but not eliminate the sleep apnea (therefore is not ideal, but still beneficial). There a numerous variations of the appliance depending on the patients anatomy and muscular makeup.

Sincerely, 
Dr. Ian Gray 

We are proud to announce our 5th annual 

Starting November 21st and continuing on until December 20th we will be collecting non-perishable food donations for the Newmarket Food Bank. For the last two years our drive has been largely successful thanks to the generous donations made by patients and staff! Once again this year Dr. Gray will donate $1 for each pound of food collected or dollar for dollar on cash donations.

Thank you for helping us support the Newmarket Food Bank

Movember

Join us Thursday November 17^th!!

for a "stash selfie". Dr. Gray will donate $5 for every person that comes by for a photo. Help us raise funds and awareness for this worthy cause!!!

In Movember, also known as Mustache November, men everywhere in the world are growing out their mustaches in order to bring awareness to prostate and testicular cancer.  The organization’s hope is that people will donate the money normally spent on waxing and shaving to the Cancer Society. Here are some interesting facts:

1. Albert Einstein sported his mustache for over 50 years.
2. In a deck of cards the King of Hearts is the only king without a mustache

3.  The oldest recorded mustache dates back to at around 300 B.C

4. On average a man with a mustache touches it 760 times a day.

5. US marines are not permitted to grow mustaches longer than half an inch.

6.  A man spends an average of five months of his life shaving if he starts at the age of 14 — assuming that he lives until he’s 75 years old.

7. Not only are men seen as more attractive with it, but facial hair might also help protect against skin cancer. This past year, a study conducted at the University of Southern Queensland in Australia found that facial hair can prevent skin cancer against 90 to 95 percent of harmful UV rays.

8. Since it first launched 13 years ago, the Movember campaign has raised over $800 million.

9. When twisted at the ends, mustache wearers have been known to exhibit fits of evil genius

Dr. Ian Gray Dentistry Team - Halloween 2016

Welcome Tooba!

Hello, my name is Tooba and I am the new edition of Dr. Gray Office. I always had the passion to work in the dental field. I started in the field since 2012 and graduated as a dental assistant. I gained professional experience in three different dental offices, and I had the honor to join Dr. Gray’s office since summer 2016. I have a strong background as a Dental Assistant and I understand the importance of all details related to my position. I enjoy fulfilling the patient needs in regards to dental care, while visiting our office. In order to play an important role in our office goal which is, providing excellent client service, I believe in ongoing learning and education. I live in Newmarket with my husband, Daniel and our son, Adrin. Outside of work I spent time with my family and friends. I also volunteer in an active community assembly which believes the need of the present time in our global scale, is the gradual establishment of peace and unity.

Check out the entire team here.

Welcome back Sara!

Sara will be returning to the office after her year off with baby Zoe! Her first day back is November 7th. She is looking forward seeing all her patients  Mean while baby Zoe will be a one on Oct 21st and is ready for her first Halloween!

Do you have Sleep Apnea

Sleep Apnea affects a number of people. Basically, sleep apnea is caused by long and numerous periods of non-breathing episodes during your sleep. (Most people who have sleep apnea snore at night.) Therefore, important organs are not getting oxygen which is essential especially the heart and brain. If you have undiagnosed sleep apnea, you are more at risk for heart attack, stroke and other disease. Correlated factors are high blood pressure, obesity and acid reflux.

Below is an Epworth Sleepiness scale which is a preliminary screening for sleep apnea.

THE EPWOTH SLEEPINESS SCALE:

Use the following scale to choose the most appropriate number for each situation:
0 = would never doze
1 = slight chance of dozing
2 = moderate chance of dozing
3 = high chance of dozing

It is important that you answer each question as best you can.

Situation Chance of Dozing (0-3)

• Sitting and reading
• Watching TV
• Sitting, inactive in a public place (e.g. a theatre or a meeting)
• As a passenger in a car for an hour without a break
• Lying down to rest in the afternoon when circumstances permit
• Sitting and talking to someone
• Sitting quietly after a lunch without alcohol
• In a car, while stopped for a few minutes in the traffic

Analyze Your Score

0-7: It is unlikely that you are abnormally sleepy.
8-9: You have an average amount of day time sleepiness.
10-15: You may be excessively sleepy depending on the situation. You may want to consider seeking medical attention.
16-24-You are excessively sleepy and should consider seeking medical attention.

I will explain in the next newsletter the treatment of sleep apnea.

Sincerely,

Dr. Ian Gray

Dental Sealants

Do you know what causes tooth decay?

If you said sugar, you would be correct!

Food can sometimes get stuck in the grooves of your teeth, and when bacteria in your mouth comes in contact with sugar, it creates a harmful acid causing tooth decay. Fillings are the only option when there is a decay or cavity in your teeth.

Fortunately, cavities can be reduced by getting dental sealants which help seal your teeth from food, sugar, and bacteria. Sometimes, it is best for children to get sealants as soon as their permanent teeth has come in. Sealants can also be advantageous for teens or young adults who are prone to cavities.

Fortunately, cavities can be reduced by getting dental sealants which help seal your teeth from food, sugar, and bacteria. Sometimes, it is best for children to get sealants as soon as their permanent teeth has come in. Sealants can also be advantageous for teens or young adults who are prone to cavities.
 

About Dental Sealants

Although not many patients have heard of sealants, they have been used since the 1960s. A sealant is a plastic coating that is applied onto the surface of the tooth to smoothes out the bumps, grooves, and pits. This avoids the food from getting stuck in the teeth and in turn reduces the possibility of decays.
The two types of sealants that exist are the resin based and glass ionomer sealants. While the resin-based sealants are commonly used and are longer lasting than the ionomer sealants, there are no differences in effectiveness between the two.


The Procedure

The steps of the sealant application is painless and are listed below.

1. The dentist will clean the tooth thoroughly to dispel any food or bacteria that could be on your tooth.
2. The tooth is then dried and a piece of cotton is put around your tooth to absorb any moisture.
3. A solution might be applied on the tooth to make the surface rougher as sealants stick to rough surfaces conveniently.
4. Finally, the sealant is applied onto the tooth enamel in a liquid form that harden within a few seconds.

The Benefits

The most recognizable benefit of sealants is that they reduce the chance of tooth decays by sealing the teeth from harmful bacteria that can cause cavities. In addition, sealants are an investment since it will reduce the time and money spent at the dentist in the long run. Typically, sealants cost significantly less than fillings, which is what would be required in case of cavities. Some insurances cover the cost of sealants and some schools have sealant programs for kids.


Ask Your Dentist

With time, sealants will wear and chip off when we chew food and therefore will need to be touched up every few years. Your dentist will be able to tell you if your sealants are in the condition it should be and fix them if they are not, during your annual check-ups.

Tooth Paste Abrasion

What is Abrasion?
Abrasion is a process of wearing down and away or scraping of something.

How does Abrasion relate to teeth?
Overtime acidic foods and drinks, improper brushing and tooth paste can slowly wear away surfaces of our teeth. The fist layer of our teeth is enamel. This is the outer whitest surface of the tooth. The enamel is the hardest tissue in the human body, but can be dematerialized because it is composed of minerals. The second layer is much softer and likely to wear away because it is less mineralized and appears yellow in color. Overtime constant scrapping of materials used in the mouth can contribute to the process of abrasion.


Where does Toothpaste come into play?
Every day we use toothpaste to help mechanically clean and refresh our mouths. There are wide varieties of toothpastes each labeled with specific desires and features. There are toothpastes that whiten, have tartar control, specialize in sensitivity, enamel health ect. One of the ways toothpastes are manufactured is dependent on how abrasive it is for desired results. Basically the more abrasive toothpaste is the more likely overtime you may experience: sensitivity, more frequent staining, notching close to the gum line, teeth appearance may look more yellow. There is a measurement used to describe the abrasiveness of something, called RDA (relative dentin abrasivity). All manufactures of the toothpastes use this measurement and must disclose this on the label or have it easily accessible to the public. The lower the number the less likely enamel/dentin is to be worn away.
From;
0 to 100= low abrasive
70 to 100= midrange abrasion
100 to 150= highly abrasive
150 to 250= considered harmful to teeth

Some common toothpaste used by our patients includes;

	RDA Value
Crest regular	95
Arm & Hammer sensation	103
Arm & Hammer advance white gel	117
Colgate whitening	124
Crest Pro health	140
Colgate tartar control	165
Colgate luminous	175

How can you minimize the effects of abrasion?

• Pea size amount of toothpaste
• Checking RDA of your toothpaste
• Proper brushing techniques
• Limit excessive brushing throughout the day. (2xdaily)
• Do not brush right after acidic foods

How does our dental office limit excessive abrasive paste while visiting?

1. prophylaxis paste used in office for polishing has different grits ranging from fine and med coarse (rarely used)
2. Your hygienist will assess your need for the prophy paste at your visit and either recommends having it done or not. It’s usually done with staining or tartar build-up.
3. Skipping prophy paste use for patients with sensitivity can help. For patients who like feeling of a polishing can have one upon request, but may be advised to skip an appointment if there is revere signs of wear, it is all on an individual basis.
4. Explain process of acid erosion and other contributing factors.

Unfortunately enamel and dental cannot be repaired or grow back. It is simply something that needs to be maintained and looked after in able to ensure signs and symptoms do not worsen overtime.


 
Natalie Chiofalo
RDH

Raspberry Lemonade Recipe

Ingredients

1. 6 oz San Pellegrino Limonata
2. 1 Tbsp raspberry jam
3. juice of 1/2 a lemon
4. fresh raspberries for muddling & garnish
5. lemon slices for garnish
6. mint

Instructions

1. In a glass muddle 4 raspberries.
2. Stir in 1 Tbsp raspberry jam and top with a splash of Limonata. Stir to combine.
3. Fill glass with ice.
4. Top with Limonata and fresh lemon juice.
5. Garnish with more berries, lemon slices and mint.

Welcome Natalie!

Many of you may have already been seen by Natalie, our newest addition to the team here, Natalie has been covering and filling in for Sara (currently on Maternity leave) on and off since November. We are happy to welcome her full time. She will be seeing Sara’s patients until Sara returns early November.

Natalie come to us with eight years of experience in the dental field, she began her career as a dental assistant, before going back to school to become a dental hygienist. She has a great chair side manor and is great at putting nervous patients at ease. Natalie has a 10 year old daughter named Azalia, who keeps her busy when she’s not at work. Check out our team page for more details.

Kids Corner: Make Your Own Flip Flops!

Fun and easy summer craft!

Here's what you need:

-paper X 2 colors (one for the flop, one for the background)
-Poster paint (washable)
-Paint brush
-Stuff to decorate, pipe cleaner, flowers, beads, etc.
-Craft glue


Here's how you do it:

1. Paint your/your child's foot with washable poster paint using the brush in the color of your choice.
2. Carefully press your foot down on the paper you want to be the flip flop. Repeat with the other foot. Trim around the foot prints once they are dry, leave a good amount of paper outline all the way around.
3. Glue the prints on to a back ground color.
4. Get creative, glue on, or color in the strap to make it look like a flip flop.

Kim Thompson
Practice Manager

Honey Grilled Shrimp Recipe

With the cold weather behind us you’re probably ready to take a break from those heavy, hearty meals like stew and chili. It’s time to get out the patio furniture and fire up the grill for your summer favorites. This month we’re keeping it light with honey grilled seafood. Feel free to get creative by picking up some fresh fruit or vegetables and making kabobs.

Ingredients

½ teaspoon garlic powder

¼ tablespoon ground black pepper

1/3 cup Worcestershire sauce

2 tablespoons dry white wine

2 tablespoons Italian-style salad dressing

1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined with tails attached

¼ cup honey

¼ cup butter, melted

2 tablespoons Worcestershire

skewers

Directions

1. In a large bowl, mix together garlic powder, black pepper, 1/3 cup Worcestershire sauce, wine, and salad dressing; add shrimp, and toss to coat. Cover, and marinate in the refrigerator for 1 hour


2. Preheat grill for high heat. Thread shrimp onto skewers, piercing once near the tail and once near the head. Discard marinade.


3. In a small bowl, stir together honey, melted butter, and remaining 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce. Set aside for basting.


4. Lightly oil grill grate. Grill shrimp for 2 to 3 minutes per side, or until opaque. Baste occasionally with the honey-butter sauce while grilling.

This recipe can be sourced from allrecipes

Watch Our Office Tour!

Update from Sara and We're on Instagram!

Sara and Zoe	Zoe and Diesel

Zoe update!

She's 7 months old now and working on cutting her first 2 teeth. Crawling around like crazy and very busy and independent. Starting to eat solids now, her favorites are butternut squash, pears and bananas. Babbling has started and she is so close to saying her first word I'm sure!! Hoping its mom lol. Loves Diesel, but he's not sure what to think of her still. He gives her the odd kiss or sniff but mainly looks at her like she's crazy!!! ~Sara Haire

Follow us on our new Instagram feed!

	@dr.iangray

Check out our instagram feed to stay updated on the latest happenings in the office!!

Home Care Instructions for Braces

Eating with Braces:

• For the first two to four days after your braces are placed your teeth may be tender to biting, try and stick to softer foods. Avoid hard breads, tough meat or raw vegetables. If the pain is sever you can take a painkiller that you would normally take for a headache.
• Your lips and cheeks may become irritated for one to two weeks until they become accustomed to the surface of the braces. You can put wax on the braces to lessen this. We'll show you how!
• You will need to protect your braces as long as you are wearing them.

Foods to avoid:

• Chewing gum
• Hard candies (ex: jolly ranchers, toffee, hard chocolate bars)
• Ice
• Carrots, apples, pears (harder fruits and vegetables) should be cut into small pieces.
• Cut meat off the bone, meat should not be chewed off the bone.
• Corn on the cob should be sliced off.
• Pizza, bagels, and crusty buns should be cut into bite size pieces.
• Do not chew on your fingernails, pencils or pens.

Home Care:

• It is very important to brush and floss while you have braces!

	- Place the toothbrush at a 45 degree angle towards the bracket. - It is especially important to clean between the bracket and gums.
	- Flossing with braces takes a few minutes longer then without. - Slide the floss threader under the wire in between each tooth and then floss like normal. - Orthodontic floss picks can also be used.
	Other Aids: - A water pick is also very helpful for cleaning around the brackets and along the gums. - A Proxabrush can also be used around the brackets to help remove plaque and debris.

What if I have an Emergency?

• If a bracket breaks off or a wire is poking out or something else is causing discomfort, call our office right away.
• If issue occurs over a weekend or holiday, you can place wax over area causing discomfort/sharp wire. If this does not help, please call Dr. Gray directly at 905-478-1888.

Kristine
Dental Hygienist

Kids Corner: Coffee Filter Butterflies

Warm weather means that the flowers are starting to bloom and the insects are beginning to come out. We're taking our inspiration from nature today to create pretty butterflies to hang either inside or outside.

What You Need:

• Coffee filter
• Markers
• Clothes pin
• Pipe cleaners
• Paper towels

Instructions:

1. Take the coffee filter and draw lines all over it with the markers.
2. Wet the coffee filter and let it dry on a piece of paper towel.
3. When it is dry, put the coffee filter on the clothes pin.
4. Wrap a small piece of pipe cleaner around the "head" of the butterfly to make antennae.
5. Draw a face on the clothes pin, and you are done!

Frequently Asked Questions about Baby Teeth

When should I expect my babys’ tooth?

Please keep in mind that all babies are different. In general you can expect your babys’ first tooth between 4-10 months. However it is not uncommon for a baby to celebrate their first birthday with no teeth.

Why are baby teeth so important? They will eventually fall out?

Baby teeth aid in speech and digestion, they also help form the path for permanent teeth to follow when they are ready to erupt.

When should I bring my child to a dentist?

As early as their first birthday and no later than their 3rd, if you suspect a problem bring your child in right away.

When should I start brushing my babys’ teeth?

As soon as you see the first tooth. Flossing is also very important in preventing cavities in between their teeth.

When should I start brushing my child teeth with toothpaste?

You can get baby toothpaste without fluoride at your local grocery, once your child is able to spit out the baby toothpaste then you can move to a fluoride toothpaste. Only use a rice grain size of toothpaste on your childs’ toothbrush.

My child gives me a hard time when it is time to brush and floss their teeth, any advice?

Persistence and consistency are key. Have your child brush their teeth first to help build their confidence and dexterity, when they are done you can brush after. Singing their favorite song when your brush and floss their teeth also helps.

What is Root Canal Therapy?

How Does My Tooth Get Infected?

If you need a root canal, it is because the tooth is infected. Decay can happen, and if left untreated, can penetrate deeper into the tooth and into the nerve (or the "pulp"). At this point, it is usually very painful, and the nerve has been infected. This will not go away on its own and can lead to abscess, tooth loss, and bone loss. Saving a natural tooth avoids having to replace it with an artificial tooth.

What Is Root Canal Therapy?

A Root Canal is a dental procedure that involves removing the nerve of the infected tooth in order to "save" the tooth. Advancements in dental technologies have made root canal treatment far less scary and more predictable then in the past. From the patients perspective, having a root canal is not much different than having a filling; it just takes a little longer.

After the nerve is removed, it's important to know that the strength of the tooth is now compromised. When you remove the nerve, you remove the tooth's nutrient system as well, leaving it more susceptible for fracturing. When a filling is placed, whether after a root canal or to fill a decayed area, the enamel that is removed during the procedure leaves the tooth weaker. It is impossible to predict when or how severe the fracture could be, but proper preventive measures are recommended such as placing a crown (or a "cap") on the tooth as the tooth is no longer structurally sound. This helps to prevent fractures, especially severe cases such as at the gum line- at which the tooth may not be saved and would require extraction.

If you have any questions about Root Canal Therapy, read more here or ask your Dental Hygienist or Dr. Gray when you come in to see us.

How Often Should I Have My Teeth Cleaned?

A professional tooth cleaning occurs at your dental office and is a procedure completed to help prevent oral health problems. Your Dental Hygienist is removing soft (plaque) deposits, hard (calculus) deposits, stains and bacteria build up from your teeth that you are unable to efficiently clean yourself. These deposits/bacteria cause gum disease (gingivitis/periodontitis), can cause cavities and can affect your overall health.

Gum disease (gingivitis/periodontitis) is an infection of the gum tissues and surrounding bone supporting the teeth. It is one of the leading causes of tooth loss in adults. Bleeding gums when brushing or flossing is the first sign of infection/gum disease.

Your Dental Hygienist will recommend anywhere from 3 months to 9 months for a professional dental cleaning depending on the following factors:

• The health of your teeth (prone to cavities)
• The health of your gums (gingivitis/periodontitis)
• How much build up present
• If you are a smoker
• Chronic health conditions (diabetes/heart disease)
• If medications are being taken that affect your oral health
• Dry mouth
• How well your home care is (brushing/flossing)

Gum disease is 100% preventable. Kristine
Dental Hygienist

Kids Korner.....April 2016

Looking for a fun activity? Check out these printable activity sheets you can do with your kids. Happy coloring!