Sjorgen's Syndrome

Many systemic medical conditions affect your dental health. A common one is Sjorgen’s Syndrome. This is an autoimmune disorder where the body attacks the tear and saliva glands. After a while, the glands stop working entirely. If you notice that your mouth is chronically dry, no matter what you do, schedule an appointment with Dr. Kathleen Falsey right away. Bayberry Dental Care works with you to manage your symptoms. Learn more by contacting our office in Tinley Park, IL.

 

There is a large list of symptoms that accompany Sjorgen’s Syndrome. Here are the ones that commonly affect your dental health:

 

-Chronic cough

-Difficulties swallowing

-Dry lips, throat, and mouth

-A hoarse or scratchy voice

-Frequent cavities or oral infections

-Swollen salivary glands in the face and neck

 

There is no known cause for Sjorgen’s Syndrome. Research points towards an individual’s genes or the body’s reaction to certain germs. Don’t give up hope! Just because we don’t know the cause doesn’t mean we don’t offer a cure. A diagnosis is the first step. Your Tinley Park, IL, dentist will measure your salivary flow and glands. Dr. Falsey also treats any other issues like cavities.

 

Treatment depends entirely upon you and your symptoms. Certain medications control your body’s immune response. Your dentist focuses more on helping your oral symptoms. For your dry mouth, you need to increase your salivary production. Talk to your dentist about Artificial Saliva, which keeps your mouth moist. Over-the-counter products like toothpaste and mouthwash also target dry mouth.

 

Bayberry Dental Care is located in Tinley Park, IL. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Kathleen Falsey, call 708-802-8300 or visit her website at https://www.bayberrydentalcare.com/.

Fluorosis

Bayberry Dental Care, located in Tinley Park, IL, is a family-friendly dental establishment. Dr. Kathleen Falsey treats patients of all ages, big and small! That’s why shes experienced with the condition known as Fluorosis. This happens when a child ingests too much of the mineral known as Fluoride. It ends up staining the teeth with thin, white streaks. This won’t hurt your child, but it does point to a nutritional imbalance.

 

Children are the only ones at risk for fluorosis. That’s because it only affects baby teeth. Before the teeth erupt from the gumline, fluoride can change their appearance. Talk to your Tinley Park, IL, dentist if you notice a change in your child’s appearance.

 

The main introduction of fluoride to a child’s system is through the water supply. It naturally occurs in our water sources, keeping it both clean and healthy! One of the many perks of breastfeeding is the avoidance of fluoride. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding a child until the age of three. Breastmilk contains all the nutrients your baby needs. When it comes to most brands of formula, water is added to it. This puts your baby at risk for fluorosis. Another possible risk is through everyday dental products. Toothpaste contains fluoride. It’s why you need to monitor how much is used. It’s recommended you start brushing your child’s teeth as soon as they come in. Never use more than a grain of rice for children under three.

 

Children over the age of three should brush their teeth twice a day. Just because they are baby teeth doesn’t mean you can neglect their health. Children don’t need a large amount of toothpaste, nothing larger than a pea. When teaching children to brush, make sure they understand not to swallow it afterward. Using too much toothpaste or ingesting it puts them at risk for fluorosis.

 

Bayberry Dental Care is located in Tinley Park, IL. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Kathleen Falsey, call 708-802-8300 or visit https://www.bayberrydentalcare.com/

Cleaning Your Child's Tongue

When Dr. Kathleen Falsey talks about cleaning your child’s mouth, she isn’t talking about soap and water! There are many ways to keep their mouth clean, including cleaning their tongue. At Bayberry Dental Care, we believe that teaching strong dental hygiene habits now will follow a child into adulthood. Try having your child brush their tongue daily. Contact our office in Tinley Park, IL, to know more.

 

Baby teeth, because they are meant to fall out, are much softer than their adult counterparts. This puts children at a higher risk of tooth decay. Tongue cleaning is a great way to reduce unwanted cavities. Tongues are naturally very sticky, letting them hold onto large amounts of bacteria and debris. Tongue scraping or cleaning removes these. Brushing and flossing can only do so much. Tongue scraping is the last step in a healthy everyday routine.

 

Your child can use their toothbrush to clean their tongue. Did you know that there is an even better solution? Grocery stores and supermarkets sell dental appliances specifically for tongue cleaning. These are sold for children too. Make sure that any appliance purchased matches your child’s age range. The right-sized tongue scraper perfectly matches the width of the tongue. Have your child wait until they are at least five years old before attempting to clean their tongue.

 

You’ll want to demonstrate and show your child how to use their tongue scraper. Stand the child in front of a mirror. Ask them to stick out their tongue. While watching in the mirror, guide their hand and tongue cleaner towards the back of the tongue. Help them scrap it gently down to the tip. Rinse the appliance off each time and do it again.

 

Every parent wants what’s best for their child, including their dental health. When you schedule an appointment at Bayberry Dental Care, you’re getting the best! To contact Dr. Kathleen Falsey at her office in Tinley Park, IL, call 708-802-8300 or visit her website at https://www.bayberrydentalcare.com/.

Pediatric Sealants

Did you know that cavities are common in kids ages five to fourteen? With baby teeth falling out and adult teeth coming in, deep grooves and gaps make it difficult for kids to brush their teeth thoroughly. We at Bayberry Dental Care take pride in educating our young patients about proper oral hygiene. Sometimes, though, certain procedures are required to help young patients prevent cavities. Sealants prevent food from getting stuck in grooves and gaps, which ultimately prevents the process of tooth decay. Your Tinley Park dentist is committed to helping your child stay cavity-free!

In addition to regular brushing and flossing, dental sealants are applied in an effort to keep out tooth decay. Sealants are plastic coatings placed on the chewing surfaces of your child’s back teeth. Your Tinley Park dentist fills in the grooves that are hard to reach while brushing, with the thin plastic material. This added layer of protection greatly lowers your child’s chances of developing a cavity.

When you help your child prevent cavities at an early age, they are less likely to have oral health problems as an adult. The way they take care of their baby teeth directly affects how taking care of their adult teeth will be. Solidify good dental hygiene habits now by encouraging your child to take care of their teeth properly, and they will be rewarded with a lifetime of good oral health.

Do you think your child could benefit from dental sealants? We are happy to answer any questions or address any concerns you may have! For more information or to schedule an appointment, please visit bayberrydentalcare.com or call 708-802-8300. Bayberry Dental Care is located at 8014 W 171st St. in Tinley Park, IL 60477.

 

Oral Cancer Screenings

Bayberry Dental Care is dedicated to catching a potential problem in the mouth before it manifests into something worse. This is why we offer oral cancer screenings to check for any precancerous or cancerous conditions in the mouth. With the advances in modern technology, dentists are now able to treat a problem prior to it becoming irreversible. 

An oral cancer screening is completed with an ultraviolet light that allows your Tinley Park dentist to view issues that cannot be detected with the naked eye. Precancerous lesions identified under this light are much easier to be removed and are more likely to be cured.

Causes of oral precancer/cancer include:

- Tobacco use of any kind, such as cigarettes, cigars, pipes, chewing tobacco, snuff, dip and vaping

- Heavy alcohol consumption

- Family history of cancer

- Human papillomavirus (HPV)

- Significant sun exposure

Are you interested in getting an oral cancer screening? For more information or to schedule an appointment, please visit bayberrydentalcare.com or call 708-802-8300. Bayberry Dental Care is located at 8014 W 171st St. in Tinley Park, IL 60477.