Bayberry Dental Care

Thursday, December 31, 2015

Your Child’s First Dental Visit

The moment has arrived, your child is one-year-old and it’s time to schedule their first dental visit. At Bayberry Dental Care we want to preserve your child’s teeth and gums for years to come and we start this process by first introducing them to our staff to assure they feel comfortable in our dental chair.


During your child’s first visit, Dr. Kathleen Falsey will examine his or her mouth, teeth and gums, as well as evaluate adverse habits such as thumb sucking. She will also check to see if your child needs fluoride treatment and teach him or her all about cleaning their teeth and keeping their gums healthy. If your child has well surpassed the age of one, you will need to limit their sugar intake as a method of cavity prevention. At our office we are most concerned with all aspects of preventive care and can offer dental sealants as a way to protect your child’s teeth. Once the oral exam is complete and you are satisfied with your experience, we will suggest a schedule for regular dental visits.


If you are searching for a pediatric dentist, look no further and give us a call. To learn more about child dentistry as well as other services we provide, visit www.bayberrydentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Kathleen Falsey at Bayberry Dental Care in Tinley Park, IL, call 708-802-8300.

Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Purpose of Oral Cancer Screening

Oral cancer appears as a growth or a sore in the mouth that does not go away. It can linger on the lips, tongue, cheeks, floor of the mouth, the palate, and throat and can be life threatening if not diagnosed and treated early. In addition, another danger of oral cancer is that in its early stages, it can go unnoticed. This is why Dr. Kathleen Falsey offers oral cancer screening to patients to identify mouth cancer early, when there is a greater chance for a cure.


Screening for oral cancer may be done during a routine check-up that is performed by Dr. Kathleen Falsey. The exam will include a visual inspection of the mouth and palpation of the jaw and neck. It is often completed with an ultraviolet light or similar device that allows our doctor to view issues that can’t always be detected by the human eye under normal conditions. In between visits at Bayberry Dental Care, it’s important to be aware of the following signs and symptoms such as: pain or tenderness in the oral cavity, a sore or irritation that doesn’t go away, as well as difficulty chewing, swallowing, or speaking. Be sure to call us if they do not disappear after two weeks.  


Just because Dr. Kathleen Falsey recommends oral cancer screenings to patients, this does not mean you have oral cancer. To learn more about oral cancer screening as well as other services we provide, visit www.bayberrydentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Kathleen Falsey at Bayberry Dental Care in Tinley Park, IL, call 708-802-8300.

Thursday, December 17, 2015

The Correct Way to Floss

At Bayberry Dental Care, if you aren’t used to using dental floss daily, we understand that it can be challenging to turn this into a habit. However, once you begin a proper flossing regimen, healthy teeth, a white smile, and fresh breath are only a few benefits you will reap. Those who floss daily tend to experience fewer cavities, and less tartar and plaque buildup that can lead to tooth decay. Here are some tips to utilize in between professional cleanings.



  • Break off about 18 inches of floss and wind most of it around one of your middle fingers. Wind the remaining floss around the same finger of the opposite hand. This finger will take up the floss as it becomes dirty.



  • Hold the floss tightly between your thumb and forefingers.



  • Guide the floss between your teeth using a gentle rubbing motion. Never snap the floss into the gums.



  • When the floss reaches the gum line, curve it into a “C” shape against one tooth. Gently slide it into the space between the gum and tooth.



  • Hold the floss tightly against the tooth. Gently rub the side of the tooth, moving the floss away from the gum with up and down motions. Repeat this method on the rest of your teeth. Don’t forget the back side of your last tooth.


If you have questions about how to maintain a proper oral hygiene routine, give us a call. To learn more about dental health as well as services we provide, visit www.bayberrydentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Kathleen Falsey at Bayberry Dental Care in Tinley Park, IL, call 708-802-8300.

Friday, December 11, 2015

Are You Brushing Effectively?

You have been brushing your teeth for most of your life, but are you brushing them effectively? Brushing your teeth is a key factor in keeping your teeth and gums healthy as well as preventing tooth decay and cavities. However, most of us rush through our oral hygiene routine. Dr. Kathleen Falsey wants you to know that brushing isn’t effective unless you get a full two minutes of brush time in and reach all surfaces of the teeth. If you desire to keep your permanent teeth for a lifetime, utilize these brushing tips the next time you step foot in front of the sink.



  • Place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle against the gums.

  • Move the brush back and forth in a circular motion in short (tooth-wide) strokes.

  • Brush the outer tooth surfaces, the inner tooth surfaces, and the chewing surfaces of the teeth.

  • Use the tip of the brush to clean the inside surfaces of the front teeth, using a gentle up-and-down stroke.

  • Brush your tongue to remove bacteria.


If you have questions about how to maintain a proper oral hygiene routine, give us a call. To learn more about dental health as well as services we provide, visit www.bayberrydentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Kathleen Falsey at Bayberry Dental Care in Tinley Park, IL, call 708-802-8300.

Wednesday, December 2, 2015

Pediatric Dental

Kids’ oral care is just as important as adult oral care. In fact, healthy baby teeth are the markers for healthy adult teeth. Even newly-grown in adult teeth need to be taken care of properly right from the start. Here at Bayberry Dental Care in Tinley Park, IL, we offer protective treatment specifically for children to give the best possible dental care available.


In our Tinley Park, IL office, we routinely examine and clean pediatric teeth. We have extensive experience understanding the dental health and problems of children. In addition to the general dentistry we are able to provide, we also provide preventative dentistry.


We offer sealants to protect the molars from decay. Children who have not had a filling or cavity in their molars benefit well from sealants. During the cavity-prone age, it is smart to protect the molars from decay to keep them healthy right from the start. Molars have deep grooves that can be hard to reach while brushing. Sealants are a plastic material that is smoothed over the grooves in the molars to seal out bacteria.


We also offer custom mouth guards for children who participate in sports and other activities. The best form of protection is prevention. Our custom mouth guards fit right, they allow for easy breathing, and they offer the best protection for your child’s teeth, cheeks, tongue, lips, and jaw. Studies have even suggested that mouth guards lower the risk of concussions.


We are a family dentistry invested in the oral health of children. To schedule your family’s appointments with Bayberry Dental Care in Tinley Park, IL, call us at (708) 802-8300. For more information about our practice, visit our website, www.bayberrydentalcare.com

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Custom Take-Home Teeth Whitening Trays

For a bright and dazzling smile, sometimes a little boost is needed. For this purpose, Bayberry Dental Care of Tinley Park, IL is offering our patients custom take-home teeth whitening trays. Now you can reach that Hollywood smile you have always dreamed about right in the comfort of your own home.


Take-home whitening systems are convenient because you do not have to sit in the dental chair for long periods of time while waiting. You can take your time and have the freedom of being in your own home with our system. In addition, choosing a professional system from your dentist will yield real results.


Our custom trays are created from impressions of your teeth. This creates a whitening process that hugs your teeth perfectly and whitens your smile evenly. Once the trays are created, we provide you with a whitening gel that you will put into the trays and wear every day for a short period of time over about a week’s length. The end result is a noticeably brightened and whitened smile!


If you are tired of hiding your smile because you are not confident in its color, it may be time to try our professional custom take-home whitening trays. To schedule a consultation with Bayberry Dental Care in our Tinley Park, IL office, give us a call at (708) 802-8300. For more information about teeth whitening, visit our website, www.bayberrydentalcare.com

Wednesday, November 18, 2015

Gum Disease

Gum disease is a condition of the mouth that can cause great pain and frustration. Gum disease can be difficult to get rid of and long-lasting. It is for these reasons that here at Bayberry Dental Care of Tinley Park, IL, we want our patients to be aware of how gum disease is caused and how to prevent it.


Gum disease arises when the gums become irritated and frequently unclean. Bacteria in the form of plaque and tartar can bother the gums and even wedge down between the gums and the teeth. When this happens, bacteria hide in rough patches along the tooth’s root, collect deep down and forms pockets within the gums. These gum pockets swell and cause the gum tissue to separate from the tooth. More bacteria are then able to enter the pockets. This situation allows infections, can cause the loss of teeth, and it causes pain. Not to mention, gum disease is not very nice looking for a smile.


In order to prevent gum disease, you have to make sure you are keeping up with an at-home oral health routine and visiting your dentist. You should be brushing your teeth for two minutes, two to three times per day. You should also floss every day. Visiting your dentist will ensure you are getting regular professional cleanings and that you are being told if there are any areas you frequently miss.


Gum disease is a pain, but it is completely preventable. To schedule your appointment with Bayberry Dental Care in our Tinley Park, IL office, call us at (708) 802-8300. For more information, visit our website, www.bayberrydentalcare.com

Friday, November 13, 2015

Experienced Tooth Extractions in Tinley Park, IL

While the best outcome is to save natural teeth, sometimes they do have to be extracted. Here at Bayberry Dental Care of Tinley Park, IL, we are well-experienced in extractions and perform them for patients when a tooth is not able to be saved. Removing a problematic tooth can prevent infection from spreading, relieve major pain, and improve the overall health of your mouth.


There are many reasons a tooth may need to be extracted including damage, decay, infection, overcrowding, and more. Very commonly-extracted teeth are the wisdom teeth. While some people experience no problems with their wisdom teeth, many experience overcrowding and impaction. When a tooth is impacted, it does not have enough room in the mouth to fully erupt. This can cause damage to other teeth, cause gum infection, and be very painful. In other cases, wisdom teeth are just too far back in the mouth to clean properly.


To extract a tooth, your dentist will use a local anesthetic to numb the area, or a more general anesthetic, depending on the complexity of the extraction. If an incision is needed to remove the tooth, your dentist will make that incision and remove any bone tissue, if necessary. The tooth is rocked back and forth until it is loose enough to be pulled out. Some cases need the tooth to be broken into pieces first. Afterward the area is stitched together if necessary.


If you are struggling with a painful tooth, come in for an examination. Appointments may be made in our Tinley Park, IL office by calling (708) 802-8300. For more information, visit the Bayberry Dental Care website, www.bayberrydentalcare.com.

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

How Root Canal Therapy Works

Infected teeth are painful and can be dangerous to your overall health. At Bayberry Dental Care in Tinley Park, IL, we perform root canal therapy for patients with infected teeth. New technology allows us to perform this quicker and more comfortable than ever before.


Root canal therapy is necessary to clear out an infected tooth so it can heal and function healthily again. In the past, root canals got a bad reputation for being painful and scary. These days, thanks to rotary endodontics, the process is usually no more uncomfortable than receiving a filling.


Your dentist will first drill an access hole into the tooth. A flexible file is inserted into the tooth with an electric drill. The decayed dental pulp is cleared out and the root canal is scrubbed clean. A sealant will then be applied to fill the empty space. A filling will be placed on the access hole. The tooth is now decay-free and nerves that were once irritated have been removed. The tooth can now heal from any damage caused from the infection.


Infected teeth can cause damage to the gum and bone tissue in the area. It can also be dangerous for someone with a compromised immune system. If you are experiencing irritated gums, a sensitive tooth, or pain while chewing, come see us. To schedule an appointment in our Tinley Park, IL office, call Bayberry Dental Care at (708) 802-8300. For more information about root canal therapy, visit our website, www.bayberrydentalcare.com

Wednesday, October 28, 2015

Dental Crowns to Restore Weakened Teeth

Our teeth are important to our overall health. It is important to keep them healthy and present for our lifetime. When a tooth becomes decayed or damaged, it is able to be saved from extraction if it is properly cared for. At Bayberry Dental Care in Tinley Park, IL, we utilize dental crowns to strengthen and protect damaged teeth with intact roots.


When a root is still intact, the tooth is able to function healthfully as long as any decay is removed and the crown is strengthened. Our dental crowns are like caps that go on top of a weakened tooth to give it new life.


A dental crown can be made of metal, porcelain fused to metal, or full porcelain. The options with porcelain are able to look and feel just like a normal tooth. They are colored to blend right in with the rest of the teeth, so your smile will look great again.


A tooth is prepared for a dental crown by being reshaped. The edges are shaped so that the crown can be placed on top. We take impressions of the reshaped tooth and the area around it so a dental laboratory can create a crown that fits the area perfectly. A temporary crown will be worn while the permanent one is being created. When ready, the permanent one is then cemented into place.


If you have a decayed or damaged tooth, do not delay treatment. Many teeth can be saved from extraction through dental crowns. To schedule with Bayberry Dental Care in our Tinley Park, IL office, call us at (708) 802-8300. For more information, visit our website, www.bayberrydentalcare.com

Thursday, October 22, 2015

Veneers Create a Brand-New Smile

Nothing is better than walking into a room with a smile you are confident about. Here at Bayberry Dental Care in Tinley Park, IL, we want our patients to be able to put their best smile forward. We offer veneers to our patients who want a brand-new smile whether they have many aesthetic dental issues or just a couple of insecurities.


Veneers are able to completely change the look of one’s smile without major dental work like surgery. Veneers are shells that are simply bonded to the front of your existing teeth. They still allow you to use your teeth normally, so you can still eat all the foods you love. They are permanently bonded to your teeth, so you also do not need to worry about taking them out or cleaning underneath them.


Veneers are great for those who are unhappy with the look of gaps, misaligned teeth, cracks, discolored teeth, and more. They are made of a very thin ceramic and they are custom made to look natural for your smile. They are fit exactly to your smile, so the function and comfort of your teeth remain the same.


If you are looking for a completely new look, dental veneers can help you achieve a dazzling smile. To schedule an appointment with us in our Tinley Park, IL dental practice, give us a call at (708) 802-8300. For more information, visit our Bayberry Dental Care website, www.bayberrydentalcare.com

Saturday, October 17, 2015

Dental Implants for Permanent Replacement

Missing teeth can cause problems with eating and speaking, and a loss of confidence. Replace your missing teeth with an option that can last a lifetime. Here at Bayberry Dental Care in Tinley Park, IL we offer our patients with missing teeth dental implants.

Dental implants are a great option for patients who would like to replace a missing tooth once and for all. With good care, dental implants are able to last a lifetime. They are inserted into the area and it will then bond with your natural bone. The crown placed on top is able to look and feel just like the rest of your natural teeth, too, so the replacement will be indistinguishable in your smile.

The surgeon will place the implant post into your bone. This bonding process will take a few months, so a temporary crown will be placed on top for protection and normal use. Meanwhile, a dental laboratory will be creating a custom crown for you. When the healing is finished, an abutment will be placed onto the implant to serve as the base of the new tooth and the permanent crown is cemented into place.

Dental implants will let you smile and laugh with confidence again. You will not need to worry about difficulty eating or injuring your gums. The best part is that it will never need to be replaced when it is properly cared for. You can care for it just like you would care for a natural tooth.

To schedule your implant consultation with Bayberry Dental Care of Tinley Park, IL, call our office at (708) 802-8300. For more information, visit our website, www.bayberrydentalcare.com.