The Complete Invisalign Process

No matter what your age, you’re never too old to consider getting braces. If you don’t have the straight smile you want you can easily have it just by opting for orthodontic treatment. With all the wonderful advancements to orthodontics over the years, we are now happy to offer discreet ways to straighten your teeth without anyone else noticing. One example is Invisalign, a clear set of removable aligners that slowly reposition your teeth to get the smile you’ve always wanted. If you are weighing the pros and cons of getting Invisalign in North York, ON then find out what this treatment will entail.  Step 1: Dental Consultation You will need to have a thorough exam and consultation with Kaydental before you can get Invisalign. After all, we want to make sure that your treatment goals can be achieved through this specific type of orthodontic treatment. Not all alignment and dental issues can be corrected with Invisalign. We will run X-rays and determine whether Invisalign is right for you. Then we will map out your treatment plan and take impressions of your teeth to send to the Invisalign lab.  Step 2: Invisalign Fitting Once the lab is finished custom-designing your aligners, they will send your entire treatment packet to us at Kaydental. Then you will come into the office to have your first set of aligners placed on your teeth and to check the fit.  Step 3: Aligners You will wear your aligners for about 20 to 22 hours out of the day and each aligner is worn for about two weeks. You can remove your Invisalign aligners; however, you only want to do this when you eat and when you brush and floss. The longer you leave your aligners off the longer your treatment will be.  Step 4: Regular Dental Visits You will continue to see your North York, ON dentist very four to six weeks to make sure that your treatment is progressing as it should and that everything looks healthy.  Step 5: Retainers With every new aligner that you put on you will start to notice a gradual difference in the position of your teeth. Most Invisalign treatment takes about a year; however, this fluctuates depending on the severity of your case. Once your treatment process is up, you can remove your Invisalign aligners and start wearing a retainer to help maintain your new smile (your North York, ON dentist will give you specific instructions for wearing your retainers after treatment).  Call Kaydental Today! Interested in getting Invisalign? Then call Kaydental, your North York, ON dentist, today to schedule an orthodontic consultation. By conducting a thorough exam we can easily determine whether Invisalign is right for you. Call us to book your next visit with us.

How Tobacco Use Can Screw Up Your Smile

Who wouldn't want the brightest and healthiest smile possible? The obvious answer is "Nobody." Yet, many people subject their teeth, gums, tongue and other parts of their mouths to the hazards of tobacco use. Whether smoking cigarettes or chewing it, tobacco use can really damage your smile. What cigarette smoke does to the mouth  The list of the adverse effects of cigarette smoking is long. Most are well-known but bear repeating. An experienced dentist will often detect the following problems when looking into the oral cavity of a smoker: Staining. Smokers have a generalized discoloration of their teeth with dark brown stains particularly noticeable on the front teeth where cigarettes are held. If someone stops smoking, this may be reversed with dental cleaning, whitening and diligent at-home hygiene. Halitosis (bad breath). Increased build-up of plaque and tartar. Everyone deals with plaque and tartar, but this increases for people who smoke cigarettes. The Canadian Dental Association has stated that this build-up leads to more cavities and gum disease. Tooth loss can soon follow. Tooth sensitivity. Teeth become sensitive to both hot and cold beverages and food as gums recede and roots become exposed. Oral cancer. Cancer can disfigure and even kill the person who is diagnosed with cancerous lesions in her/his mouth. Congenital defects. If a woman smokes while pregnant, research shows an increased risk of cleft lip and palate for her baby. What chewing tobacco does to the mouth  Even chewing tobacco can ruin a user's smile. The most obvious problem is extensive staining of tooth enamel and uneven wearing down of the teeth. In addition, many people do not realize that tobacco has a high sugar content, and therefore contributes to tooth decay. Lastly, oral cancers have been directly linked to chewing tobacco. Leukoplakia, a precancerous oral lesion, is also caused by long-term use of chewing of tobacco. The American Cancer Society says that 3 out of 4 users of tobacco have leukoplakia.  What to do about tobacco and your oral health  The simple answer is to stop abusing tobacco products in every form. Of course, many individuals would love to shake their cigarette or tobacco chewing habit but the nicotine in tobacco is incredibly addicting. Physicians and dentists alike recommend one-on-one tobacco cessation treatment and group support during the process of quitting as the best way to succeed.  Kaydental offers a wide range of dental services.  Drs. Stephen M. Kay and Melvyn A. Kay of Kay Dental in the North York and Toronto, Ontario area want to help you reach the goal of an attractive and healthy smile. They will examine your teeth and gums, discuss the concerns you have about your dental and overall health and formulate a plan of care and treatment for the best teeth and gums possible, including recommendations and support to help you quit your use of tobacco.

Are Your Teeth Appearing Taller?

As we age there is no reason why your smile has to be 'long in the tooth'! It is not the case that as we age our gums naturally recede. If you notice that your crowns are getting longer it is important to have your dentist examine your teeth. What Causes Gums to Recede? Some reasons include: Overaggressive brushing - your enamel at the gum line can be worn away by scrubbing the sides of the teeth. Lack of proper oral hygiene - without regular brushing and flossing bacteria builds up in between the teeth. Using chewing tobacco adversely affects the mucus membrane lining in your mouth and can cause your gums to recede. A poorly placed tongue or lip piercing can cause your gums to recede. Receding gums can be difficult to detect and will occur over time. If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms contact your dentist: Increased sensitivity to hot, cold or touch. Teeth appear 'longer' than they once did. Roots are exposed an visible. Tooth feels notched at the gum line Change in tooth colour. Spaces between teeth seem to be growing. Cavities below the gum line. The key to treating receding gums is to identify the cause. Once identified treatment can often times be quite simple. If overaggressive brushing is the cause switching to a softer toothbrush and using a gentler brushing technique can help. If poor plaque control is the issue regular dental cleanings and improved oral hygiene are a must. In more severe cases we may have to perform an in office procedure which will halt the bacteria's destruction of your gums and bone. With some easy steps and regular consultations with your dentist your smile and beautiful gumline can last you a lifetime.

Nightguards for Bruxism | Protect Your Teeth From Wear

You probably do a lot of things while you’re sleeping that you’re not aware of, such as talking in your sleep and snoring—some people have even been known to send text messages! One common problem that often happens while sleeping is called bruxism. It’s an issue that can cause a wide variety of dental problems, but luckily it’s one that is easily resolved by a dentist. Learn more about bruxism and the treatments available at Kaydental, a popular dental office in North York, ON. What is Bruxism? Bruxism is the habit of grinding the teeth back and forth or clenching them so tightly that it affects your bite, jaw or the condition of your tooth enamel. Many people don’t realize they have this problem until they start to have dental problems or notice unexplained headaches when they wake up. This is another reason why it’s so important to get a dental checkup regularly because your North York, ON, dentist will recognize the effects of bruxism early on—before it causes major damage to your teeth. Benefits of Nightguards Severe bruxism is an issue that can usually be resolved with a night guard. This is a plastic device that you put in your mouth before you go to sleep. It keeps your teeth separate while sleeping so that you can’t grind or clench them together. Over time, you may lose the urge to grind your teeth because they’re being trained to rest in a healthy position while you’re asleep. Getting a Custom Nightguard A nightguard is made of a durable plastic material that is hard, yet malleable. It’s designed to fit comfortably over your upper or lower row of teeth and looks similar to a plastic retainer. The dentist takes a dental mold of your teeth so that the nightguard can be properly shaped for your mouth. It may be slightly modified by the dentist to ensure a good fit. Protection for Your Teeth If you struggle with bruxism, relief is available in the form of a custom nightguard from your North York, ON, dentist. Call Kaydental at (416) 223-2151 today to request an appointment to discuss your problem with tooth grinding or clenching.

4 Tips for Caring for Your Child's Teeth

Little hands don’t always like to brush little teeth. Your trusted dentists at Kaydental in North York happily provide you with tips on how to care for your young one’s teeth—even if they don’t want to.  Start early As with any good habit, instilling it early and with consistency is the best way to be sure that your child practices good oral hygiene. Teaching them when to brush, how long to brush and how much toothpaste to use, is very important. They may not be wise enough to know what this will do for their overall health in the long run, but you are, and if they see that this is something that mommy and daddy not only approve of, but celebrate, little minds will associate brushing their teeth with a positive outcome.  Make it a routine One way to be sure that they don’t see it as a cumbersome chore is to make it fun. Have them brush until you count to a certain number or finish their favorite song or nursery rhyme. Reward them for a job well done. Similar to the famous “potty chart,” you can give them a star for each time they brush their teeth. Let the sticker - itself be a reward or perhaps take them to get a new toy when they’ve filled up their chart. Your North York family dentist wants your child to develop good habits from the start so they’ll always have a beautiful smile.  Stave off a sweet tooth It’s well-known that sugar and tooth decay are partners in crime, so be sure your child is eating a balanced diet of fruits, veggies, grains and proteins, limiting the amount of starches and sugars they eat. When sugar remains in the mouth, it becomes a breeding ground for bacteria, which can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. And while they may just be their baby teeth, those little guys are the foundation for adult teeth and proper care for baby teeth is absolutely essential.  Stop on by Just as you should see your dentist every six months, so should your children. From the time they cut their first tooth, on, you should be bringing your child into Kaydental twice a year, unless Dr. Melvyn or Dr. Stephen request more frequent visits.  Caring for your child’s chompers is just as important as caring for your own. Be sure they get a good, healthy start to regular oral care by visiting your North York dental office, Kaydental, today.

The Clear Answer to Straighter Teeth

We know how important it is for you to have a healthy, beautiful smile. It’s one of the first things a person sees. So why shouldn’t your smile look its best? However, you might find yourself a bit self-conscious and wishing for a straighter smile. Sure, it might have seemed cute to have that little gap between your teeth when you were little, but now that you’re older you don’t find it quite as endearing. If you’re looking for a way to straighten your smile but you can’t even fathom all the metal and brackets that come with braces, then now you don’t have to. Welcome to the world of Invisalign in North York. Not sure what Invisalign is? Or maybe you’ve heard of it but you’re really not sure you know much about this revolutionary way to straighten teeth. Your North York, ON dentist is here to answer all your questions. What is Invisalign?  Invisalign is a series of clear aligners that gradually shift teeth back to their proper position. These trays are custom-designed to fit your mouth, so you have a set of clear braces that are made just for you, in North York. Also, Invisalign doesn’t come with all the metal and wires you might picture when you think about braces. You can enjoy talking to friends and colleagues without worrying that they are staring at your braces. What are the Pros of Invisalign? While Invisalign boasts a clear way to straighten your smile, another advantage is that these aligners are removable. You can enjoy meals without having to worry that your braces will get in the way. This also means that there are no dietary restrictions—unlike with traditional braces. Just remember to always brush and put your Invisalign aligners back in your mouth immediately after you’re done enjoying your meal. Additionally, since Invisalign in North York, ON is removable, brushing, and flossing just got a bit easier. You don’t have to worry about trying to brush around metal or flossing around thin, fragile wires. All you have to do is take out your clear trays and brush normally. How’s that for simple? How Long Will I Wear Invisalign? Each aligner is worn for about two weeks before you swap it for another one. The average Invisalign treatment is about 9-15 months long. Imagine—in as little as nine months, you could get the straight smile you’ve been craving. Want to find out more about how Invisalign could help you? Call Kaydental, your dentist in North York, ON today at (416) 223-2151. Your consultation is waiting!