Bayberry Dental Care

Wednesday, November 28, 2018

Diabetes and Gum Disease

If you suffer from diabetes, you are especially vulnerable to gum disease. We treat all our patients with compassion at Bayberry Dental Care, and we want them to understand how their oral health ties into their overall health. In the cases of people with diabetes, we are committed to providing the support they need to keep their gums strong and free of pain, and we want them to know more about why working with us is so important.


Studies consistently show that people with uncontrolled blood sugar have elevated levels of gingivitis symptoms such as bleeding gums, redness, and soreness. The exact connection is not completely understood, but we do know that people with diabetes have a more difficult time fighting infections in general. Inflammation is the immune system’s initial response to an infection or injury. It helps to isolate pathogens, but prolonged inflammation can ultimately damage tissues. If gingivitis progresses into periodontal disease, the gums and jaw bone tissue will recede, leaving teeth loose and sensitive.


At regular dental examinations, we provide thorough cleanings that will help stop gingivitis from developing. We also provide scaling and root cleaning to remove decay from the gum pockets that patients can’t reach on their own. Despite their elevated risk, it is possible for people with diabetes to maintain good oral hygiene. Best of all, there is evidence that other diabetes-related inflammation tends to improve as patients’ oral health improves.


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.


 

Saturday, November 24, 2018

Scaling and Root Planing for Gum Disease

The word periodontitis literally means “inflammation around the tooth.” Periodontitis and all periodontal diseases are bacterial infections that destroy the attachment fibers and supporting bone that hold the teeth in the mouth. To take steps toward preventing and treating periodontal disease, Dr. Kathleen Falsey, DDS of Bayberry Dental Care may recommend a scaling and root planing procedure to eliminate bacteria under the gum line.


Root planing and scaling is one of the most effective ways to treat gum disease before it becomes severe. When plaque and tartar sit on the teeth they provide an environment that allows bacteria to thrive and multiply. These bacteria can lead to bad breath and cause the gums to bleed and become inflamed. Dental scaling occurs with manual hand instruments, ultrasonic instruments or both. Dr. Kathleen Falsey, DDS, will begin the procedure with a thorough examination of your mouth. Next, a combination of scaling devices will be used to eliminate the plaque bacteria. The objective is to clean between the gums and the teeth down to the roots.


If you have signs and symptoms of periodontal disease, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn 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.

Tuesday, November 20, 2018

Oral Hygiene Tips for the Holidays

We wish all our patients at Bayberry Dental Care in Tinley Park a Happy Thanksgiving! At this time of year, there are many sweets and feasts to look forward to. But that doesn’t mean tooth decay takes a break, so to help our patients have a good holiday season, we wanted to provide some tips on oral hygiene.


As we discussed in our post about baby bottle tooth decay, sugary residue poses more of a threat to teeth than the sugar content of any specific food. A lot of the sugary drinks that are popular this time of year—pumpkin spice lattes, eggnog, hot chocolate, apple cider, and alcoholic beverages, are drunk slowly, allowing residue to cling to the teeth for a long time. People also consume more hard candies, which tend to dry the mouth out in addition to sticking to teeth and to eat sticky toffees. But even complex starches, such as those found in winter squash, can fuel tooth decay if debris gets caught in hard-to-reach spaces.


The best way to maintain oral hygiene is regular brushing and flossing, but this may not always be easy during family or social gatherings. Another strategy is to chew sugar-free gum, which will dislodge food particles and stimulate saliva production. You may also try keeping bottles of fluoridated water on hand. Taking swigs from them in between consuming other drinks will wash away sugar and strengthen your enamel.


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, November 14, 2018

Baby Bottle Tooth Decay

You may think it’s a good idea to put a child to sleep with a bottle, but there are consequences that come along with it that you may not be aware of. Baby bottle tooth decay is caused by the frequent and long-term exposure of a child’s teeth and gums to liquids containing sugars. These beverages include milk, formula, and fruit juice and if they aren’t properly brushed away, your child’s teeth may suffer. Dr. Kathleen Falsey, DDS suggests bringing your child in for an oral exam before the age of one. If you haven’t scheduled an appointment, it’s time to do so!


The first step in preventing baby bottle decay is never allowing your child to fall asleep with a bottle that contains liquid other than water. Next, be sure to clean and massage your infant’s gums once a day to help establish healthy teeth. Treatment for baby bottle tooth decay is similar to that of adult tooth decay. Don’t assume that just because your child’s baby teeth will fall out that it’s ok to neglect them.  


If you have questions or concerns regarding pediatric dentistry, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn 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.