Bayberry Dental Care

Wednesday, May 29, 2019

Bad Breath and Oral Health

If you have chronically bad breath, there may be more to it than just what you eat. At Bayberry Dental Care in Tinley Park, we are concerned with the relationship between oral health and the rest of the body. Halitosis, or bad breath, could be an indicator of an issue related to oral infection or a condition with consequences for the oral cavity.


When food particles get trapped, the bacteria that consume them give off a foul odor. Bacteria can also eat things we wouldn’t find appetizing, such as nasal drip that lands on the tongue. For that reason, patients should use a tongue scraper each day and brush their tongue along with their teeth. They may also want to try antibacterial mouthwash, which comes in nonalcoholic varieties for children.


Halitosis can also be caused by dry mouth. Saliva neutralizes acid and helps wash away food debris. Medications commonly cause dry mouth as a side effect. Patients should ask their doctor about changing them if this is causing bad breath and caries, but they should not stop taking medication on their own. An autoimmune disorder could cause the salivary glands to become inflamed, preventing them from secreting adequate saliva. Diabetes can also contribute to bad breath due to changes it causes in how the body breaks down chemicals, as well as its suppression of the immune system and diabetic people’s resulting vulnerability to gum disease. This becomes less of an issue when insulin levels are controlled.


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 Bayberry Dental Care and fill out a contact sheet.


 

Thursday, May 23, 2019

Pulp Infections and Staining

Bayberry Dental Care in Tinley Park offers services ranging from cosmetic dentistry to root canals, and sometimes, patients are in need of both. Most tooth discoloration is due to stains on the outside of the teeth which may be removed with whitening therapies. But when a stain is on the inside, it could indicate something about the health of the tooth’s pulp.


Intrinsic staining isn’t always pathological. It can be caused by exposure to fluoride or tetracycline antibiotics during the tooth’s formation, in which case the tooth can simply be covered with a new veneer. But inflammation or necrosis of dental pulp could be painful to a patient and the infection that caused it has the potential to spread. In these cases, the tooth would look red, purple, or black. We can confirm an infection through tactile and x-ray imaging tests.


We remove infected pulp by performing root canal therapy. After the interior of the tooth has been cleaned, bleach may be temporarily put inside it to combat staining. But intrinsic stains can sink deep into enamel, so we may have to consider other options, such as a new crown or veneer. Regardless, we want our patients to leave with teeth that are not only healthy, but beautiful.


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 Bayberry Dental Care and fill out a contact sheet.


 

Monday, May 20, 2019

Sensitivity and Enamel

It seemed to take forever for warm weather to arrive this year, but now that it has, ice cream parlors are doing brisk business. Unfortunately, many people suffer from tooth sensitivity and try to avoid things that are too cold (or too hot). Patients at Bayberry Dental Care can count on us to restore their teeth’s integrity, but there are some things they need to understand to maintain their oral health.


The blood vessels in each tooth surround a nerve. Although the outside of dental crowns is made up of hard enamel, between enamel and pulp is a layer called dentin that is made up of small tubes. Heat easily transfers through dentin, so if the enamel is compromised, a person’s dental pulp will be extremely sensitive to heat changes. The roots of teeth, which are normally insulated by gum tissue and an adhesive called cementum, have less enamel.


Enamel may crack, but sensitivity is usually due to changes in its chemical structure. Acid, whether produced by oral bacteria or regurgitated from the stomach, dissolves the calcium phosphate that comprises enamel. A patient can reinforce their enamel by using fluoridated toothpaste and by getting treatments at our office such as sealants and fluoride therapies. But if enamel has lost mass, the cavity will have to be repaired with a filling. Deep cleanings are essential to preventing gum recession and protecting tooth 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 Bayberry Dental Care and fill out a contact sheet.


 

Wednesday, May 15, 2019

Arthritis and Gum Disease

If you have pain in your joints, gum disease may be to blame. May is National Arthritis Month, and to help our patients prevent joint inflammation, we at Bayberry Dental Care in Tinley Park want to pass along some important new research into how oral bacteria may be related to rheumatic disorders.


Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder in which the patient’s immune system attacks their synovium, the soft tissue that lines joints. The synovium thickens in response, becoming stiff and painful. The causes of rheumatism have remained elusive, although we know that smoking and genetics are contributing factors. Synovium and gum tissue share a similar cellular make-up, and scientists were interested in whether they became inflamed in response to similar factors.


Research found that the acid produced by a certain kind of pathological oral bacteria causes excessive deformation of proteins, a process called hypercitrullination. The immune system overproduces antibodies to eliminate the proteins and compromised cells, and the antibodies attack synovium. Scientists have also found some evidence that treating gum disease reduces arthritis symptoms in people with rheumatism, so we hope that our patients won’t delay coming in for their regular deep cleanings.


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 Bayberry Dental Care and fill out a contact sheet.


 

Wednesday, May 1, 2019

Inlays/Onlays

Inlays/Onlays are partial crowns that are used to restore appearance and functionality to a tooth. If you are self-conscious of your smile, these restorative devices can help. The inlays/onlays attach to the base of your individual teeth. They help when the biting surfaces of your teeth are damaged. Dr. Kathleen Falsey of Bayberry Dental Care, located in Tinley Park, IL., offers inlays/onlays to our patients.


 


The main difference between a patient receiving an inlay or an onlay depends entirely on the severity of the tooths decay. If a tooths cusp has no damage, an inlay is used. If there is damage, an onlay is needed. Onlays extend onto the chewing surface in order to replace one or more of the cusps. Inlays are just bonded directly onto the tooth.


 


Your inlay(s)/onlay(s) can be made of porcelain, gold, or composite resin. Porcelain is the most common and popular due to its strength and color. Porcelain blends more with the natural shading of your teeth.


 


The complete process will take between 2-3 appointments. Dr. Falsey will first remove the decayed areas of the tooth. To make sure that the inlay/onlay will fit, an impression of your tooth will be taken. This will be sent to a dental laboratory to create your restorative device. A temporary sealant will be placed on the tooth in the meanwhile. At your second appointment, Dr. Falsey will remove the sealant. The inlay/onlay will be placed to make sure it fits. If it is, it will be bonded to the tooth.


 


Bayberry Dental Care is located in Tinley Park, IL. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Kathleen Falsey, visit our website or call 708-802-8300.