Nighttime Oral Care

The toothbrush should be the last thing to touch your teeth before bed and Dr. Kathleen Falsey, DDS of Bayberry Dental Care would like to explain why. Keeping your smile healthy is not just a day job. If you don’t brush before bed the food and beverages you consumed throughout the day will linger and cause bacteria to increase throughout the night. Allow us to explain why leaving brushing out of your bedtime routine is a bad thing.

“I’m too tired to brush my teeth,” might be something you tell yourself often, but it’s time to break the habit. When we sleep, we don’t swallow and the lack of saliva flow creates the perfect environment for bacteria to thrive. Therefore, if you hit the hay before brushing your teeth, bacteria has plenty of hours to feed off the sugars and acids present in your mouth while your body’s natural defenses are down. If you can’t get past the excuse that you are “too tired” we advise you to keep a toothbrush on your nightstand, because even a dry brush is better than none at all.

If you have questions about oral hygiene, don’t hesitate to give us a call. To learn about services we provide at our practice, visit www.bayberrydentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Kathleen Falsey, DDS in our Tinley Park, IL office, call Bayberry Dental Care at 708-802-8300.

Sugar and Teeth

If you don’t want tooth decay, the solution is simple, cut sugar out of your diet. Dr. Kathleen Falsey of Bayberry Dental Care understands that this is unrealistic, which is why she encourages patients to at least tame their sweet tooth. Sugar is the culprit when it comes to cavities, and though we love to see you in the office, we would much rather you take preventive measures to keep your smile healthy. Allow us to explain the effects that sugar has on your teeth.

After you eat sugary food and beverages the bacteria that form together to become plaque feed off the sugar and uses it as energy. Eventually, these bacteria can eat through the layers of your teeth if you don’t brush it away. If left untreated, plaque can turn to tartar which can only be removed by Dr. Kathleen Falsey, DDS. Schedule regular dental appointments so that any signs of tooth decay can be treated early and as always, brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss at least once a day.

If you have questions about oral hygiene, don’t hesitate to give us a call. To learn about services we provide at our practice, visit www.bayberrydentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Kathleen Falsey, DDS in our Tinley Park, IL office, call Bayberry Dental Care at 708-802-8300.

Avoiding and Managing Dry Sockets

Though there are many reasons why tooth extractions may be necessary, our biggest concern following them is always a dry socket. At Bayberry Dental Care, we provide our patients with post-operational instructions to help them avoid complications, but accidents can happen, particularly if an extraction required incisions and sutures. Therefore, we want our patients to know how to recognize a dry socket so they can get help.

The extraction of a tooth will leave behind an empty socket through which it may be possible to see the jaw bone, but if all goes well, the socket will quickly clot over with blood. If it doesn’t, the socket will painfully dry out and be at risk of infection. Patients are told not to use birth control because it can prevent clot formation, and following the extraction, they will need to change their normal habits to avoid ripping the clot loose. Sipping through a straw and smoking are the behaviors which most commonly expose sockets.

If there are complications, the socket will probably dry out within two days. Patients should request an emergency appointment so they can be supplied with painkillers and antibiotics. Dr. Falsey will vacuum the socket clean and dress it with medicated gauze or paste. The dressings will have to be changed every few days until the socket closes, but under supervision, it should heal fully.

Kathleen M. Falsey, D.D.S., operates Bayberry Dental Care at 8014 West 171^st St, Tinley Park, Illinois, 60477. To schedule an appointment, call 708-802-8300 or visit BayberryDentalCare.com and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Cleaning Dentures

The Bayberry Dental Center provides dental care to patients of all ages and is dedicated to providing all clients with information about preventive care appropriate to their needs. Caring for dentures varies from caring for natural teeth in some significant ways, so we want to make sure our patients know how to maintain their oral hygiene.

It is a good idea for patients to keep two sets of soft-bristled toothbrushes: one for their mouths and one for dentures. They will need to remove their dentures on a nightly basis and continue brushing their mouths twice a day while the dentures are out, making sure to get into any support structures which may have been implanted. Brushing the gums before placing dentures back in each morning stimulates blood flow. Patients will also need to brush the entirety of the denture with toothpaste made specifically for dentures because the minerals in ordinary toothpaste are unnecessary and may scratch the dentures’ delicate plastic.

Keeping in mind how fragile dentures are, patients should never keep them in hot water. However, dentures do need to be kept moist at all times and should be allowed to soak in room-temperature water or cleaning solution at night. It is natural and expected that a patient’s mouth will continue to change shape after a denture is fitted, necessitating refittings over the course of their life. Adjustments and repairs should only be made by dental professionals.

Kathleen M. Falsey, D.D.S., operates Bayberry Dental Care at 8014 West 171^st St, Tinley Park, Illinois, 60477. To schedule an appointment, call 708-802-8300 or visit BayberryDentalCare.com and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Snap-On Smile

If you’ve always desired a “Hollywood Smile” then Dr. Kathleen Falsey of Bayberry Dental Care can give you one. If you are missing teeth or generally have a smile that you are unhappy with, then Snap-On Smile may be for you. This relatively simple procedure is a temporary, more painless alternative to costly veneers and implants while also able to cover up discolorations and misshaped teeth and it can be performed right here in the office.

Snap-On Smile is a patented process in which one of our dentists creates a removable set of cosmetic teeth that fit into place over the patient’s existing teeth. This affordable life-changing solution for people of all ages only requires two short painless visits with no drilling, no shots, and no change in tooth structure. A Snap-On Smile also provides a customized fit and can be worn while eating. It’s unique, proprietary formula of hi-tech dental resin makes it very thin yet extremely strong. It fits right over your own teeth to give you a beautiful, natural-looking smile.

If you wish to enhance the appearance of your smile, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn about services we provide at our practice, visit www.bayberrydentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Kathleen Falsey, DDS in our Tinley Park, IL office, call Bayberry Dental Care at 708-802-8300.

Lumineers to Revamp Your Smile

Lumineers are unique in that they are ultra-thin and highly translucent, allowing them to replicate the natural appearance of enamel. While traditional veneers are much thicker, requiring the grinding down of your original tooth structure, Lumineers are so thin that little to no tooth reduction is necessary. At Bayberry Dental Care, Dr. Kathleen Falsey, DDS can place either veneers or Lumineers depending on patient candidacy.

After your initial consultation, Dr. Kathleen Falsey, DDS will take an impression of your upper and lower teeth, and send the mold to an authorized Lumineers laboratory along with photos and other records that ensure the very best case for you. Unlike traditional veneers, with Lumineers there is typically no need for extensive drilling, shots or unsightly acrylic temporaries. On your next visit, generally a few weeks later, Dr. Falsey will place your Lumineers. Before Lumineers are bonded in place, it is important to try them on to ensure a good fit. Teeth are then moderately etched to prepare for placement and then bonded one by one. Dr. Falsey will then check your bite to make sure your contacts are balanced to avoid chipping your Lumineers through the course of daily function.

If you want to aesthetically enhance your smile give us a call to discuss your options. To learn about services we provide at our practice, visit www.bayberrydentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Kathleen Falsey, DDS in our Tinley Park, IL office, call Bayberry Dental Care at 708-802-8300.

Veneers

Veneers are one of the best ways to give your smile a total makeover. Veneers are thin porcelain shells that bond directly to the surface of your teeth.  This gives you the opportunity to completely change the appearance of your smile and still look natural.  Dr. Kathleen Falsey, DDS can help you determine if a set of custom veneers will be a good solution for you.

Patients with cosmetic issues like stains chipped or cracked teeth, and even crooked teeth and small gaps can achieve a dazzling smile with veneers. Anyone can have a new smile using veneers in as little as two visits!  First, you’ll decide what shape and look you want for your new smile and an impression of your teeth will be taken.  This impression is sent to a dental lab where your veneers will be manufactured in order to custom-fit the final product.  Veneers can typically be fabricated within 14 days and on your final visit, the veneers are bonded to your teeth for you to wear for a lifetime.

To learn more about veneers and all the services we provide, visit www.bayberrydentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Kathleen Falsey, DDS in our Tinley Park, IL office, call Bayberry Dental Care at 708-802-8300. 

Scaling and Root Planing

In its most advanced stages, gum disease can lead to gum recession and even tooth loss.  Dr. Kathleen Falsey, DDS wants to help you make sure it never gets to that stage.  When sticky bacteria called plaque builds up on a tooth, the gum starts to pull away from the tooth and form a pocket around the buildup.  This only leads to more gum recession.  Scaling and root planing are used to treat this buildup and prevent the later stages of gum disease.

Scaling and root planning are two parts of a deep cleaning procedure your dentist can perform to repair gums. The procedure begins with scaling, the process of removing plaque from the surface of your teeth all the way down to your gums. This is followed by root planing, which involves minor contouring to smooth the surface of a tooth near the root.  Once the plaque has been removed and the tooth root has been smoothed, the gums that have pulled away have a clean, smooth surface to reattach to.  

Local anesthetic is used during this procedure, and your dentist may recommend completing the treatment over a series of appointments.  To learn more about scaling, root planing, and all the services we provide, visit www.bayberrydentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Kathleen Falsey, DDS in our Tinley Park, IL office, call Bayberry Dental Care at 708-802-8300. 

Panorex

A crucial tool at Bayberry Dental Care to our implant specialization, and our examinations in general, is the Panorex. This digital x-ray machine eliminates many of the problems we had with old-fashioned photographic x-rays and provides us with much more insight into what’s really happening to a patient’s jaw.

The nature of x-rays requires patients to remove metal from their person and wear a lead apron while the image is being taken. However, the Panorex is fast and comfortable. A patient will clasp a bite blocker with their front teeth and rest their chin on a ledge while the Panorex’s panels rotate around their head. The height of the ledge can be adjusted and the process takes less than twenty seconds.

The image provides a 360⁰ view of the patient’s skull in high detail. We use this to monitor the fusion of bone with implants and how much jaw bone tissue patients are retaining, as well as the eruption of teeth in our younger clients. X-rays also allow us to detect decay in tooth roots and can be useful when searching for a cause of temporomandibular joint disorder.

Kathleen M. Falsey, D.D.S., operates Bayberry Dental Care at 8014 West 171st St, Tinley Park, Illinois, 60477. To schedule an appointment, call 708-802-8300 or visit BayberryDentalCare.com and fill out a contact sheet.

Consequences of Thumb Sucking

Dr. Falsey loves treating children at Bayberry Dental Care and has experience handling all sorts of issues that come up for her youngest patients. Often, first-time parents are unsure of whether their child’s thumb-sucking is a bad habit or something which could hurt them, so we wanted to provide some information.

Thumb-sucking is a normal behavior in children under three, but it will cause major problems if it persists past that age. This is equally true of sucking on a pacifier or thrusting the tongue forward against the teeth (simply holding something in the mouth isn’t as damaging to the facial bones, but may have other negative health or social consequences).

If it continues while the permanent teeth are coming in, thumb sucking could cause misaligned teeth, misaligned jaws, and changes in the shape of the roof of the mouth. Therefore, it is important to address whatever anxiety is motivating a child to continue thumb-sucking after it is no longer normal. There are devices which can be used to discourage thumb-sucking, but it’s usually best to include the child in looking for a solution, first.
Kathleen M. Falsey, D.D.S., operates Bayberry Dental Care at 8014 West 171st St, Tinley Park, Illinois, 60477. To schedule an appointment, call 708-802-8300 or visit BayberryDentalCare.com and fill out a contact sheet.

Xylitol and Tooth Decay

While strolling through the candy aisle at the drugstore have you ever noticed a sweet treat that contains xylitol? If so, you should grab it if you want to protect your teeth from decay. Xylitol is a naturally occurring alcohol found in most plant material, including many fruits and vegetables. It tastes sweet but, unlike sugar, it is not converted in the mouth to acids that cause tooth decay. Dr. Kathleen Falsey of Bayberry Dental Care encourages the use of xylitol due to its unique and clinically proven dental benefits.

Xylitol prevents cavity-causing bacteria from sticking to the teeth. With the dental benefits of xylitol, the acid attack that would otherwise last for over 30 minutes after food consumption is stopped. Because the bacteria in the mouth that are causing cavities are unable to digest xylitol, their growth is greatly reduced. In addition to reducing cavities, xylitol also reduces plaque formation and increases salivary flow to aid in the repair of damaged tooth enamel. So next time you’re strolling through the candy aisle at a convenience store, you may want to look for a label that mentions this sugar substitute.

If you have questions about tooth decay, please give us a call. To learn about services we provide at our practice, visit www.bayberrydentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Kathleen Falsey, DDS in our Tinley Park, IL office, call Bayberry Dental Care at 708-802-8300.

Reasons We Should Floss

Every time you visit Dr. Kathleen Falsey at Bayberry Dental Care for a cleaning, she probably reminds you to floss or mentions that you aren’t flossing enough. She tells you this with good reason because dental floss is the single most important weapon against plaque, perhaps more important than a toothbrush. A toothbrush cleans the surfaces of your teeth, but dental floss cleans between them. By flossing your teeth daily, you increase the chance of keeping them for a lifetime and decrease your chance of developing gum disease.

Flossing does more than keeping your smile pretty and healthy. It removes plaque and debris that sticks to teeth and gums in-between teeth, polishes tooth surfaces, and controls bad breath. Many people don’t spend enough time flossing or they haven't been taught to floss properly. To give your teeth a good flossing, spend at least two or three minutes on the process and be gentle to your gums.

If you need assistance maintaining your oral hygiene routine, give us a call. To learn about services we provide at our practice, visit www.bayberrydentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Kathleen Falsey, DDS in our Tinley Park, IL office, call Bayberry Dental Care at 708-802-8300.

Oral Pathology

Pathology can be defined as the scientific study of the nature of a disease and its causes, processes, development, and consequences. Oral pathology is the specialty that identifies and treats diseases of the mouth and maxillofacial region. Some of the diseases that Dr. Kathleen Falsey, DDS of Bayberry Dental Care may diagnose include mouth and throat cancer, mumps, salivary gland disorders, ulcers, and more.

When an abnormality is discovered either by the patient, dentist or healthcare provider, a referral is often made to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. Diagnosis is completed through radiographic, microscopic, biochemical and other in-office examinations. Because the mouth is readily accessible, changes indicative of oral cancer or a pathological process can easily be detected in the early stages. Pain is not always necessary to define pathology and is not often associated with oral cancer. However, any patient with facial and/or oral pain without an obvious cause or reason may also be at risk for oral cancer.

If you are concerned about oral cancer, give us a call to discuss your options. To learn about services we provide at our practice, visit www.bayberrydentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Kathleen Falsey, DDS in our Tinley Park, IL office, call Bayberry Dental Care at 708-802-8300.

Signs and Symptoms of Gingivitis

Gingivitis is a common and mild form of gum disease that causes irritation, redness, and swelling (inflammation) of your gums. Because gingivitis can be mild, you may not be aware that you have the condition. However, it’s important to take gingivitis seriously and treat it promptly. If you suffer from gingivitis, Dr. Kathleen Falsey of Bayberry Dental Care will provide you with an individualized treatment plan before it leads to periodontitis and eventual tooth loss.

Gingivitis – an inflammation of the gums – is the initial stage of gum disease and the easiest to treat. The direct cause of gingivitis is plaque – the soft, sticky, colorless film of bacteria that forms constantly on teeth and gums. If the plaque is not removed by daily brushing and flossing, it produces toxins that can irritate the gum tissue, causing gingivitis. Classic signs and symptoms of gingivitis include red, swollen, tender gums that may bleed when you brush. Another sign of gum disease is gums that have receded or pulled away from your teeth, giving your teeth an elongated appearance. Gingivitis is a mild form of gum disease that can usually be reversed with daily brushing and flossing.

If you have signs and symptoms of gingivitis, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn about services we provide at our practice, visit www.bayberrydentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Kathleen Falsey, DDS in our Tinley Park, IL office, call Bayberry Dental Care at 708-802-8300.

Recessed Gums

Bayberry Dental Care in Tinley Park treats a number of cosmetic tooth problems, including some with dangerous implications of the health of a patient’s mouth. Recessed gums not only make a person’s teeth look overly long, they also leave the tooth roots exposed and sensitive. Severe cases may require specialist attention, but Dr. Kathleen M. Falsey has ways of covering exposed roots.

Recessed gums have many causes, including genetics and misalignment of teeth, but the most common cause is periodontal disease. As plaque builds up in gum pockets, acids stick to plaque and cause the surrounding tissues to dissolve. A deep cleaning involves smoothing out the grooves of damaged roots where bacteria accumulate, but the roots still need protection.

In mild cases of recessed gums, the solution is the same as for gum pocket reductions. The doctor will cut a flap in healthy gum tissue, fold it over the roots, and suture it in place. The severe cases require a gum graft. In these procedures, donor or synthetic material is attached to the gums and stretched over exposed roots. While nobody likes the idea of surgery on their gums, covering exposed roots is a common procedure and often successful.
Kathleen M. Falsey, D.D.S., operates Bayberry Dental Care at 8014 West 171st St, Tinley Park, Illinois, 60477. To schedule an appointment, call 708-802-8300 or visit BayberryDentalCare.com and fill out a contact sheet.

FDA Issues Warning on Teething Tablets

Bayberry Dental Care is a family practice and often treats young children. As such, we are concerned with the safety of products for teething infants. Recently, the Food and Drug Administration issued a warning about a popular line of tablets which contains inconsistent amounts of a dangerous plant extract an recommended that they be disposed of.

Atropa belladonna, also known as nightshade, is an herb which has been known since ancient times for its sedative effects. However, it can also cause hallucinations, shortness of breath, and fatal seizures. Homeopathic treatments often make use of small quantities of belladonna and usually do not require FDA approval. In 2010, Hyland’s teething tablets, manufactured by the Standard Homeopathic Company, were found to be inconsistent in the amount of belladonna they contained. The products were briefly removed from the market but returned after the company claimed to have changed their recipe.

Last fall, Hyland’s teething tablets were removed again, but they have not yet been formally recalled. The FDA claimed in a press release on January 27, 2017, that the tablets contain a higher amount of belladonna extract than is labeled. The Standard Homeopathic Company argues that no cases of poisoning have been conclusively linked to its products, but the FDA says belladonna is not safe for infants and that investigationsinto ten deaths are ongoing. Belladonna-laced products manufactured by Raritan Pharmaceuticals, another homeopathic company, were recalled last fall.
Kathleen M. Falsey, D.D.S., operates Bayberry Dental Care at 8014 West 171st St, Tinley Park, Illinois, 60477. To schedule an appointment, call 708-802-8300 or visit BayberryDentalCare.com and fill out a contact sheet.

Toothbrush Apps

We at Bayberry Dental Care in Tinley Park have talked before about electric toothbrushes, but manufacturers are always adding new features. In particular, Oral B and Kolibree have recently developed smartphone apps they are in the process of rolling out. The effectiveness of electric toothbrushes is somewhat circumstantial, so we thought we’d provide an overview of them.

If a patient brushes with a manual toothbrush for two full minutes in each session, an electric toothbrush will make little difference. However, children and people with disabilities often struggle with this. Several of the new smartphone apps are intended to make kids more interested in brushing or to distract them so that they’ll do it for longer (although electric toothbrushes shouldn’t require as much time to use as manual ones). These apps include short video games, educational videos, and a rewards system.

Some of the new apps also provide users with feedback on their brushing. These can help people to identify problem areas and adjust the toothbrush’s settings if they are brushing too hard or in the wrong places. Which, if any, of these new toys will prove useful to a child is something only a parent can determine, but there is an ever-expanding pool of options.
Kathleen M. Falsey, D.D.S., operates Bayberry Dental Care at 8014 West 171st St, Tinley Park, Illinois, 60477. To schedule an appointment, call 708-802-8300 or visit BayberryDentalCare.com and fill out a contact sheet.

Gum Pocket Reduction

At Bayberry Dental Care in Tinley Park, Dr. Falsey performs a number of dental restorations, including implants into the patient’s jaw bone. We hope, however, that we can catch gum disease before it advances as far as forcing someone to get an entire tooth replaced. Gum disease is often compounded by colonies of bacteria carving out new areas to expand to, and we offer surgical procedures to reduce or eliminate the pockets in which they live.

Bacteria produces acid as it feeds on tartar, and plaque traps acid, damaging tooth and gum tissue. As tissue dissolves, it leaves behind empty pockets which become filled with more bacteria or plaque, accelerating the decay process. These pockets are too deep to normally be reached by a patient’s brushing and flossing, which is why we recommend annual deep cleanings. Sometimes, the tooth roots will be smoothed to give bacteria fewer crevices to sneak into.

Still, the question remains as to what to do with the pockets. One solution is to pull healthy gum tissue across the area where decay was removed, and fasten it with sutures. Another is to perform a full gum graft, cutting a section of soft tissue from another part of the mouth and transferring it. Hopefully, the patient will be left with much less of a decay problem, and less sensitive roots.
Kathleen M. Falsey, D.D.S., operates Bayberry Dental Care at 8014 West 171st St, Tinley Park, Illinois, 60477. To schedule an appointment, call 708-802-8300 or visit BayberryDentalCare.com and fill out a contact sheet.

Thank You For Your Testimonials!

Here at Bayberry Dental Care, our staff appreciates feedback from our patients because it teaches us how to improve as a team. Our staff would not only like to thank Larry and Barb F. for their review of our services, but we would like to thank them for being an excellent patient. If you recently experienced exceptional service from our office, please let us know! 

My whole family has been going to Dr. Falsey's dental office for many, many years. Not only is she an excellent dentist but she is a very caring and compassionate person. The office staff is equally warm and friendly. They treat my 91-year mom with the utmost respect. I think of them more as close friends. They are always willing to work us in in an emergency. We love Bayberry Dental and have no plans of changing!
-Larry and Barb F.

If you would like to leave a testimonial or are interested in learning more about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.bayberrydentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Kathleen Falsey, DDS in our Tinley Park, IL office, call Bayberry Dental Care at 708-802-8300.

ARESTIN for Gum Disease

Gum disease is the #1 cause of adult tooth loss in the United States. If you don’t practice proper oral hygiene on a daily basis, you can develop gingivitis (the earliest stage of gum disease), which if left untreated can lead to periodontitis (the final stage of gum disease). Gingivitis is reversible, however, periodontitis is not. If your gum disease moves past the stage of gingivitis, Dr. Kathleen Falsey of Bayberry Dental Care may need to apply ARESTIN to the gums, an antibiotic that is used in adjunct to scaling and root planing.

Scaling and root planing is an effective gum disease treatment. In this procedure, our doctors use tools to clean plaque and tartar from your teeth and roots below the gum line. During the procedure, Dr. Falsey utilizes ARESTIN, an antibiotic containing microspheres that are smaller than grains of sand. ARESTIN is placed directly to your gums and has the power to kill bacteria so your gums can heal better than with scaling and root planing alone. In one single visit, Dr. Falsey can add ARESTIN to the pocket between your gum and tooth. It is a painless procedure, with effective results.

If you have questions about ARESTIN, please give us a call. To learn about services we provide at our practice, visit www.bayberrydentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Kathleen Falsey, DDS in our Tinley Park, IL office, call Bayberry Dental Care at 708-802-8300.

Dental Implant Failure

Dental implants are designed to provide a foundation for replacement teeth that look, feel, and function like natural teeth. In fact, they are one of the most reliable long-term methods of tooth replacement. However, as with any other surgical procedure, there are a variety of internal and external factors that cause complications or even total failure of treatment. If this ever were to happen to you, Dr. Kathleen Falsey of Bayberry Dental Care is here to assess the situation.

Osseointegration describes the formation of a direct functional and structural connection between a person’s bone and an artificial implant. There are two primary reasons for “later” implant failure after the osseointegration process has been successful. These include over-stressing implants with too much biting force or inflammatory disease of the gum tissues and/or bone around the implant. Prevention plays a tremendous role in avoiding implant failure. Once the implants are placed, it’s crucial to maintain a good oral hygiene routine. Make sure you schedule regular dental cleanings to help keep the tissues around your implants healthy.

If you have questions about dental implants, please give us a call. To learn about services we provide at our practice, visit www.bayberrydentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Kathleen Falsey, DDS in our Tinley Park, IL office, call Bayberry Dental Care at 708-802-8300.

How to Keep Tooth Enamel Strong

Tooth enamel is the hard outer surface layer of your teeth that serves to protect against tooth decay. In fact, tooth enamel is considered the hardest mineral substance in your body, even stronger than bone. At Bayberry Dental Care, Dr. Kathleen Falsey wants your enamel to be as strong as the rest of the bones in your body and you can keep it that way by following these simple steps:

• Limit sugary foods and drinks – bacteria in your mouth feed on sugar from foods and drinks. They produce acids, which soften and wear away your enamel. Chewy candies that stick on your teeth can also cause damage.
• Eat foods that protect enamel – calcium in food counters acids in your mouth that cause decay. It also helps keep your bones and teeth strong. Milk, cheese, and other dairy products help protect and strengthen enamel. If you don’t eat dairy, look for foods with calcium added.
• Avoid over-brushing – You can actually wear down your enamel if you brush too fast and hard. Wait for up to an hour after eating sweets or citrus fruits before you brush your teeth.
• Use fluoride – Fluoride is nature’s cavity fighter because it strengthens your enamel and helps repair the early stages of tooth decay. Using a fluoride toothpaste or mouthwash can help prevent cavities and keep your enamel strong.

If you need assistance with your daily oral care routine, please give us a call. To learn about services we provide at our practice, visit www.bayberrydentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Kathleen Falsey, DDS in our Tinley Park, IL office, call Bayberry Dental Care at 708-802-8300.

Baby Tooth Care Tips

Baby teeth may be small, but they’re important. To help prevent the buildup of plaque bacteria that can lead to decay, Dr. Kathleen Falsey of Bayberry Dental Care recommends regularly cleaning your newborn’s gums with a damp washcloth following feedings. It’s important to start cleaning your child’s teeth before they come in to jumpstart a healthy smile.

Wipe the gums off after each feeding with a warm, wet washcloth or a dampened piece of gauze wrapped around your finger. In addition, take measures to prevent baby bottle tooth decay, a disease that causes severe, aswift decay of baby teeth. To help prevent it, do not put your baby to bed with a bottle of formula or a sugary drink, such as juice. The possibility of tooth decay is directly related to the number of times that sugar comes in contact with the teeth. Your child’s baby teeth act as placeholders for adult teeth. Without a healthy set of baby teeth, your child risks having trouble chewing and speaking clearly as they get older.

If you have questions about pediatric oral care, please give us a call. To learn about services we provide at our practice, visit www.bayberrydentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Kathleen Falsey, DDS in our Tinley Park, IL office, call Bayberry Dental Care at 708-802-8300.

Diabetic Oral Care

People with poorly controlled diabetes are more prone to dental problems. They are more likely to develop infections of their gums and the bones that hold the teeth in place because diabetes can reduce the blood supply to the gums. If you have diabetes, please call our office to schedule a professional exam with Dr. Kathleen Falsey of Bayberry Dental Care to prevent further dental complications.

If you have diabetes, symptoms of dental problems include bleeding and sore gums, frequent infections, and bad breath. Whether you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, managing your blood sugar level is critical. The higher your blood sugar level, the higher your risk of tooth decay, gingivitis, and periodontitis. Additionally, high blood sugar may cause dry mouth and make gum disease worse. The decrease in saliva can cause an increase in tooth-decaying bacteria and plaque buildup. You can prevent these problems by maintaining good blood sugar control, brushing and flossing and least twice a day, and schedule a dental checkup every six months.

To learn about services we provide at our practice, visit www.bayberrydentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Kathleen Falsey, DDS in our Tinley Park, IL office, call Bayberry Dental Care at 708-802-8300.

Sensitive Teeth Causes and Treatment

The winter months are upon us and if you are experiencing tooth pain when the cold wind blows, you may have sensitive teeth. Sensitive teeth are caused when your gums pull back and expose the surface beneath, called the dentin. This soft layer makes up the inner part and roots, which have thousands of tiny tubes that lead to the tooth’s nerve center (the pulp). Proper oral hygiene is the key to preventing sensitive tooth pain. This is why it’s important to visit Dr. Kathleen Falsey, DDS at Bayberry Dental Care for regular dental checkups.

Fortunately, sensitive teeth can be treated. The type of treatment will depend on what is causing the sensitivity. Having a conversation with Dr. Kathleen Falsey, DDS is the first step in finding relief from your discomfort. After she determines the reason for your sensitivity, treatment may be as simple as applying an in-office fluoride gel to help you manage the sensitivity.

If you are experiencing tooth sensitivity, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn about services we provide at our practice, visit www.bayberrydentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Kathleen Falsey, DDS in our Tinley Park, IL office, call Bayberry Dental Care at 708-802-8300.

Do Wisdom Teeth Serve a Purpose?

Wisdom teeth are the third and final set of molars that most people get in their late teens or early twenties. During this “age of wisdom” phase, sometimes teeth can be a valuable asset to the mouth when healthy and properly aligned, but more often they are misaligned and require removal. Some might think of wisdom teeth as spare tires because if you lost your teeth, the wisdom teeth would be extra teeth that come in and function like normal teeth. Here at Bayberry Dental Care Dr. Kathleen Falsey, DDS will recommend extraction depending on their position and stage of development.

So why do we have them? Anthropologists believe wisdom teeth or the third set of molars, were the evolutionary answer to our ancestor’s early diet of coarse, rough food – like leaves, roots, nuts, and meats – which required more chewing power and resulted in excessive wear of the teeth. The modern diet with its softer foods, along with marvels of modern technologies such as forks, spoons, and knives, has made the need for wisdom teeth nonexistent; however, they don’t always need to be removed.

If your wisdom teeth are still present and they are beginning to bother you, give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn about services we provide at our practice, visit www.bayberrydentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Kathleen Falsey, DDS in our Tinley Park, IL office, call Bayberry Dental Care at 708-802-8300.

The 2-Minute Brushing Rule

When we hit the snooze button in the morning, two minutes flies by like lightning, when we are waiting in traffic, two minute seems like an eternity. At the sink, two minutes is the time you need to spend brushing your teeth in order to clean them adequately and reduce plaque. At Bayberry Dental Care we want you to understand why you should follow the 2-minute brushing rule.

Most people don’t even come close to brushing two minutes and if you don’t brush your teeth long enough, you may not be getting your teeth clean enough. Brushing twice a day and flossing daily establish the basics of good oral hygiene. Brushing helps to clear particles of food from the teeth, but a brush can’t reach between teeth, which is why flossing is also necessary. To make the two-minute mark seem like less of a lifetime, split the mouth into four quadrants. That way, it should take about 30 seconds each quadrant. The proper position of the brush head should be along the gum line, half on the gums and on the teeth, pointing the bristles at a 45-degree angle. Don’t forget to brush every part of your mouth, including your tongue!

If you have questions regarding oral hygiene, please give us a call. To learn about services we provide at our practice, visit www.bayberrydentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Kathleen Falsey, DDS in our Tinley Park, IL office, call Bayberry Dental Care at 708-802-8300.

How to Prevent Tooth Decay

Tooth decay is the destruction of your tooth enamel, the hard, outer layer of your teeth. Hundreds of different types of bacteria live on our teeth, gums, tongue and other crevices in the mouth. Some are helpful, but some can be harmful such as those that play a role in the tooth decay process. At Bayberry Dental Care, we want our patients to know that good oral and dental hygiene can help you avoid cavities and tooth decay.

When a tooth is exposed to acid frequently – for example, if you frequently eat foods or drinks containing sugar and starches – the repeated cycles of acid attacks cause the enamel to continue to lose minerals. This will cause a white spot to appear if the minerals have been lost. When this happens, this is a sign of early decay.
You can help prevent tooth decay by following these tips:

• Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
• Clean between your teeth daily with floss or an interdental cleaner.
• Eat nutritious and balanced meals and limit snacking.
• Visit us at Dr. Kathleen Falsey, DDS for professional cleanings and oral examination.

If you need assistance maintaining your oral hygiene routine, give us a call. To learn about services we provide at our practice, visit www.bayberrydentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Kathleen Falsey, DDS in our Tinley Park, IL office, call Bayberry Dental Care at 708-802-8300.

General Tips for Choosing a Toothbrush

You can’t overestimate the importance of good oral hygiene – not only for dental health but for your overall wellbeing. As children, we’re taught that using a toothbrush regularly is one of the best ways to keep our teeth and gums healthy. But at that age, we are unaware that gum disease is a major risk factor for the development of serious health conditions, including heart disease and diabetes. At Bayberry Dental Care, Dr. Kathleen Falsey, DDS can assist you in maintaining your oral health, by providing you with a toothbrush after every visit. It is important to consider the following when shopping for your own.

Most dental professionals agree that a soft-bristled brush is best for removing plaque and debris from your teeth. Small-headed brushes are also preferable since they can better reach all areas of the mouth, including hard-to-reach back teeth. When it comes to the type of handle (such as non-slip grip or flexible neck), the shape of the head (tapered or rectangular) and style of bristles (such as rippled, flat or trimmed to a dome shape), pick whatever is most comfortable for you. The best toothbrush is one that fits your mouth and allows you to reach all teeth easily.

To learn about services we provide at our practice, visit www.bayberrydentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Kathleen Falsey, DDS in our Tinley Park, IL office, call Bayberry Dental Care at 708-802-8300.