Tooth Sectioning

We at Bayberry Dental Care in Tinley Park, IL, take pride in educating our patients about all things dental. We know that having a tooth pulled is far from fun, but sometimes it’s a necessary step before a bigger procedure or treatment, such as wisdom teeth removal or orthodontic treatment. A routine tooth extraction doesn’t have to be painful or scary, especially if you pick the right oral surgeon and are explained the whole process beforehand. 

The fact is, some teeth are more difficult to extract than others. Teeth are unique from individual to individual. They can be multi-rooted, impacted, or just larger than average. Tooth sectioning is a common procedure for teeth that are too firmly anchored in the socket or when the root is curved and the socket cannot expand enough for the tooth to be removed. To work around this, an oral surgeon cuts the tooth into sections. Each section is removed one by one.

Since less force is required for the extraction, tooth sectioning makes the procedure less painful for the patient and easier for the oral surgeon to remove the tooth. In addition to less pain, another major benefit of tooth sectioning is a smaller wound. A smaller wound means a shorter healing time!

Not sure if you need a tooth pulled? We can lead you in the right direction. Bayberry Dental Care is located at 8014 W 171st St. in Tinley Park, IL 60477. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please visit bayberrydentalcare.com or call 708-802-8300.

 

Myofascial Pain Syndrome

If you’ve ever had an issue inside your mouth, you’re probably aware of the varying degrees of pain that come with it. Sometimes it can feel like your whole head is exploding just from a toothache and tenderness. Bayberry Dental Care is committed to helping you correct whatever problem is going on inside your mouth and help you manage any pain associated with it. This includes Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MPS). Your Tinley Park, IL, dentist also takes pride in educating patients about how to prevent future oral problems. 

MPS commonly occurs in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). The pain is caused by tension, fatigue, or spasms in the jaw muscles. MPS is usually triggered by bruxism, a condition where a person clenches or grinds their teeth during sleep. Nightguards are a great way to prevent bruxism and ultimately the jaw soreness that is felt in the morning. MPS is not limited to just the jaw muscles, it can occur anywhere in the body including the back and neck muscles. 

Other treatments/preventions of MPS include:

- Splint guard, mouthguard, or nightguard

- Mild analgesics

- Physical therapy modalities

- Anxiolytic before bed

Are you experiencing Myofascial Pain Syndrome? We will pinpoint the problem and get you started on a treatment plan! Bayberry Dental Care is located at 8014 W 171st St. in Tinley Park, IL 60477. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please visit bayberrydentalcare.com or call 708-802-8300.

 

Root Canals

One of the most notoriously known procedures in endodontics is the root canal. Endodontics focuses on the nerves of the teeth. As you may know, anything that affects a nerve in the body is quite painful. It is vital that steps are taken toward the prevention of ever needing a root canal. We at Bayberry Dental Care in Tinley Park, IL, are committed to educating our patients about proper dental hygiene at home and the importance of regular dental cleanings. 

When bacteria infect the root canal of a tooth, a root canal procedure is required to eliminate this bacteria, prevent reinfection, and save the natural tooth. When a patient undergoes a root canal, the inflamed pulp caused by the bacteria is removed, then the inside of the tooth is disinfected, filled, and sealed carefully. If the natural tooth is saved with a root canal, there are many advantages for the patient. Benefits include protection from the other teeth getting worn or stained, normal biting force and sensation, natural appearance, and better chewing.

Signs that you might need a root canal include:

- Swollen or tender gums

- A chipped or cracked tooth

- Pimples on your gums

- Pain while chewing or biting

- Darkening of your gums

- Sensitivity to hot or cold, even after the sensation has been physically removed

Are you experiencing any of these symptoms? We will diagnose the problem and get you started on a treatment plan! Bayberry Dental Care is located at 8014 W 171st St. in Tinley Park, IL 60477. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please visit bayberrydentalcare.com or call 708-802-8300.

 

Impacted Canines

Did you know that our canine teeth are also known as “eye teeth?” It may sound strange, but there’s a logical explanation for the nickname: the canines are simply aligned with the position of our eyes. Our canines are important for biting and guiding the rest of the teeth in position when you close your mouth. Canines also have the longest root compared to the rest of your teeth, making them the last to erupt. Sometimes canines fail to erupt properly, which causes problems for the capacity and appearance of your mouth. We at Bayberry Dental Care in Tinley Park, IL, take pride in educating our patients about everything dental!

An impacted canine simply means that the tooth has failed to erupt through your gums. Some causes of impacted canines include:

- Cysts: abnormal growths on the gums

- Overcrowding: when teeth are squished together from lack of space in the mouth

- Extra teeth: when an additional tooth occupies the space where the canine is supposed to erupt

- Ankylosed: when the canine tooth root is intertwined with the surrounding bone

There are some additional signs of an impacted canine to look for. This includes the presence of a palatal lump, the delayed eruption of the canine (usually after 15 years old), and the absence of a labial canine lump. If you are experiencing any of these signs, it’s possible that you have an impacted canine.

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

 

Tongue-Tied

Ankyloglossia, commonly known as Tongue-Tied, is a medical condition that appears at birth. Dr. Kathleen Falsey of Bayberry Dental Care can help new parents with a diagnosis and treatment. It’s apparent almost right away if a baby is tongue-tied. A newborn will struggle to eat, swallow, and breastfeed. Without quick intervention, the child will struggle to thrive. Contact our office in Tinley Park, IL, to schedule an appointment.

 

First things first, you need to understand what exactly this condition is. The tip of the tongue is connected to the floor of the mouth through a strand of tissue called the frenulum. When a baby is tongue-tied, the frenulum is either too thick or short. Every human needs its tongue to eat. Babies need their tongue to properly breastfeed. Without a tongue that functions properly, they can’t suck or swallow milk. A tongue-tied baby will stop gaining weight and meeting milestones. They’ll eventually stop eating, latching, or even bonding with their mother. You’ll also notice problems with their indigestion and sleep schedule.

 

The nursing mother is also greatly affected. Many physical problems come with nursing a tongue-tied infant. It is a very painful process. The mother’s nipples become damaged, chapped, and prone to bleeding. With severe cases, the milk ducts are blocked, distorting the nipples. Many mothers experience both mental and physical anguish.

 

Your Tinley Park, IL, dentist offers treatment. The best thing to do is to remove the unnecessary tissue. This is a quick procedure with a surgical laser. If Dr. Falsey doesn’t perform this in-office, she can always recommend someone for you.

 

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

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.

 

Digital X-Rays

The advancements in dental technology have now made it easier for dentists to deliver efficient care and diagnoses to their patients. One such advancement is digital x-rays, which are becoming a staple in dental practices all over the country. We at Bayberry Dental Care are always looking to stay up to date with the latest technology, products, and treatments. Digital x-rays allow dentists to look more closely at your teeth than ever before!

A digital x-ray takes an image of your teeth and puts it into an imaging program. With special tools exclusive to this imaging program, your dedicated Tinley Park dentist can take a closer look at your teeth with impeccable accuracy. Digital x-rays emit eighty percent less radiation than a standard x-ray since they are actually sensitive to radiation. This is a great benefit to the patient since the patient is exposed to less radiation. Digital x-rays can be classified as intraoral (inside the mouth) or extraoral (outside the mouth), though intraoral x-rays are the most commonly taken.

Intraoral x-rays allow us to:

- Observe the status of developing teeth

- Monitor tooth health

- Look at the tooth roots

- Find cavities

- Check the health of the bony area around the tooth

- Determine if there are signs of periodontal disease

Are you curious about digital x-rays? 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.

 

Bondings and Fillings

Chipping or breaking a tooth can be very painful. It can also leave the tooth misshapen or with a sharpened edge that could hurt the inside of your mouth. Dental bonding and fillings assist in rebuilding the affected tooth with special materials. We at Bayberry Dental Care are proud to offer both of these procedures to our patients. Your Tinley Park dentist is committed to helping fix your smile when unexpected chips and breaks occur!

 

Dental bonding restores the natural shape of your tooth by using composite resin matched to your specific tooth color. In cases of accidental damage or minor decay, it is an inexpensive way to restore the look of the tooth to its normal healthy self. Dental bonding can also be used for protecting the roots of your teeth. Receding gums exposing the tooth root allow bacteria in easily, making them more susceptible to infection.

 

Dental fillings focus more on restorative efforts rather than cosmetic ones since they are stronger and more durable than dental bonding. This method also has a low cost but is the better option over dental bonding in the long run. Whereas dental bonding fixes the outside of the tooth, dental fillings fix the inside of a tooth damaged from decay or breakage. For back teeth, it’s better to use metal fillings so that it can better withstand the force of chewing. 

 

Do you think your teeth need bonding or fillings? We can check your mouth and determine that for you! Bayberry Dental Care is located at 8014 W 171st St. in Tinley Park, IL 60477. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please visit bayberrydentalcare.com or call 708-802-8300.

 

Gum Disease and Cirrhosis

Better oral health can improve overall health. At Bayberry Dental Care in Tinley Park, we’re excited to share news about dentistry with our patients. Recent studies have shown a promising link between combatting periodontal disease and combatting cirrhosis, which we hope will inspire people to take better care of their gums.

When the liver is inflamed for a long time, it risks scarring over and not being able to filter harmful chemicals as well. This is cirrhosis, and it results in inflammation throughout the body and diminished cognitive ability. Cirrhosis and gum disease commonly occur in the same people due to alcohol and smoking, but gum disease is also unusually common in people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. This prompted researchers to study if the two conditions affected each other.

In a recently published study, scientists compared people with cirrhosis who underwent periodontal therapy to people who did not. They found that people who were treated for gum disease had fewer toxins that impede cognition and more bacteria that reduce inflammation. More research is needed to determine why better oral hygiene would improve cirrhosis symptoms. Scientists have theorized that people without gum disease inhale less disease-spreading bacteria. But if someone is struggling with their health, a dental cleaning is an important step toward recovery.

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 Bayberry Dental Care and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Dental Sealants

When it comes to your kids, you want the best them to have the best dental care. That’s why Dr. Kathleen Falsey of Bayberry Dental Care offers dental sealants for patients. These are easily applied to a child’s teeth to avoid cavity formation. This keeps bacteria from sticking to the teeth’s biting surfaces. It’s a quick and simple process. A tooth-colored acrylic coating is painted onto the teeth, sealing out any bacteria. If you’re interested in learning more, contact our office in Tinley Park, IL.

 

There is no need for your child to be apprehensive before their appointment. It is completely painless. Dr. Falsey starts by applying the sealant to the teeth. She’ll use an applicator that almost looks like a small paintbrush to brush the material on. Once placed, it forms onto the grooves of your teeth. It then becomes a barrier against plaque and tartar. Food particles won’t have many places to stick to. This is especially helpful for the areas of the mouth that are hard to reach.

 

The entire procedure takes little time. Sealants are a lifelong investment that keeps your child happy and healthy. They can withstand all everyday functions, including eating and drinking. Your child can wait several years before having sealants reapplied.

 

Bayberry Dental Care offers family-friendly dental care for everyone. If your child suffers from frequent cavities, schedule an appointment today. Your Tinley Park, IL, dentist, Dr. Kathleen Falsey is available through her website or over the phone. Call 708-802-8300.

Post-Extraction Care

Having a tooth extracted can feel like a scary process. Though complications afterward aren’t common, there are ways to secure a successful recovery. The most important thing is that you follow all post-operative instructions given by Dr. Kathleen Falsey. But just in case you forgot, or are trying to learn more before your procedure, here are some general guidelines for recovery care. Contact Bayberry Dental Care in Tinley Park, IL, to learn more.

 

When you don’t follow post-extraction care, you put the entire procedure at risk. You can get an infection or even a dry socket. A dry socket occurs when the fresh blood clot dislodges or dissolves. In simple terms, the clot doesn’t form correctly. Follow these tips for common extraction symptoms. Doing so heightens your chance of a successful recovery.

 

For swelling, apply icepacks to the outside of your mouth. Do this on and off for about 20-25 minutes. Continue this practice for two days to relieve swelling and discomfort. Your Tinley Park, IL, dentist may suggest warm compresses if the tooth was infected before removal.

 

It’s normal for bleeding to happen. Keep the area covered with gauze for at least 30 minutes. If bleeding is heavier, hold the gauze down. Another alternative is placing tea bags on the wound. These contract the blood vessels for the clot to set.

 

Do not talk, drink, or eat for two hours after the procedure. You’ll need to rest for the following day. The blood clots are easily dislodged with vigorous rinsing or using a straw. Otherwise, avoid the area until your dentist tells you otherwise.

 

Last but not least, watch what you eat. Only drink water and eat soft foods. This includes eggs, pudding, jello, and even softer meals like mashed potatoes. Don’t eat any foods that can dislodge the blood clots, like peanuts, popcorn, and pasta.

 

Contact Bayberry Dental Care for all your tooth extraction needs. We have the expertise and experience to keep you healthy and happy. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Kathleen Falsey in Tinley Park, IL, visit her website or call 708-802-8200.

Baby Bottle Tooth Decay

Also called early childhood caries (ECC), bottle mouth, and infant caries, baby bottle tooth decay occurs when a child’s teeth comes into contact too often with sugary snacks and drinks. This includes milk and infant formula. We at Bayberry Dental Care are committed to educating parents about helping their children develop good oral hygiene habits. The earlier good habits are instilled, the more likely children will maintain them through adulthood. 

The complications that arise from baby bottle tooth decay can be as severe as your child not developing speech properly. This is a serious problem since children are essentially sponges, taking in information and constantly learning. Baby bottle tooth decay can make speech development difficult with nasty infections and chronic pain. 

Prevent baby bottle tooth decay by:

- Flossing your child’s teeth after they’ve all grown in

- Brushing your child’s teeth as soon as they start growing in

- Taking your child to regular dentist check ups

- Encouraging healthy eating habits

- Limiting your child’s sugar intake

- Teaching your child how to drink from a cup at six months of age

- Weaning your child off the pacifier

- Wiping your infant’s gums after a feeding

Bayberry Dental Care is located on 8014 W 171st St. in Tinley Park, IL 60477. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please visit bayberrydentalcare.com or call 708-802-8300.

 

How Sugar Affects Your Teeth

We know it’s not something you want to hear or maybe you’ve heard it a thousand times before. But it’s true, sugar negatively impacts your teeth in a big way. We at Bayberry Dental Care in Tinley Park take pride in educating our patients about the importance of restricting sugary foods and drinks. It would be ideal to cut these out of your diet completely, but we understand that sometimes there’s nothing better than a crisp soda on a hot day. More attention should be paid to, say, how many sugary beverages you drink in a day or week. Is it really adding up? If so, consider restricting your intake for the sake of your teeth.

Sugar easily coats the surface of your teeth and attracts the “bad bacteria,” such as Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus. These destructive bacteria feed on the sugar and disturb the natural pH of your mouth, to the point where the acidity is too much for your teeth. Over time, the enamel on your teeth is broken down little by little. This isn’t so good, since tooth enamel cannot be replaced. Once that natural barrier is gone, it’s gone for good. 

If you can’t give up sugar completely, then consider these tips to fight tooth decay:

- Watch what you eat and drink. Make sure to incorporate healthy options, such as fibrous vegetables.

- Restrict the sugar. Try drinking more water, your teeth will thank you (and so will your body).

- Practice good oral hygiene by brushing and flossing two to three times a day.

- Visit your dentist regularly. Your dentist will be able to take a closer look inside your mouth, monitor anything suspicious, and give your teeth a good professional cleaning. 

Bayberry Dental Care is located on 8014 W 171st St. in Tinley Park, IL 60477. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please visit bayberrydentalcare.com or call 708-802-8300.

 

Tips for Tongue Hygiene

So you brush and floss your teeth two to three times a day as Dr. Kathleen Falsey, DDS recommends. That’s great! But did you know that you should also be brushing your tongue? Just as your teeth are covered in food and bacteria throughout the day, so is your tongue. Your tongue has its own nooks and crannies that it could be carrying just as much bacteria as your teeth, creating the perfect environment for bad breath. We at Bayberry Dental Care in Tinley Park have a couple tips to get you on the right track to good tongue hygiene.

We know what you’re thinking, “isn’t my tongue cleaned enough with toothpaste and a good rinse?” Unfortunately, like your teeth need a good scrubbing to get them clean, so does your tongue. That buildup on your tongue is so tough to remove that even mouthwash doesn’t always do the job. If anything, mouthwash successfully removes the top layer of bacteria, but what’s underneath can still thrive. The bacteria can lead to not only bad breath but tooth damage.

Every time you brush your teeth, brush back and forth and side to side on your tongue to remove some of that buildup, then rinse with water. Be careful not to over brush though, it would be very uncomfortable if you broke the skin! Just a gentle yet thorough brushing will do the trick. Some people prefer tongue scrapers, though there is no proven evidence that tongue scrapers prevent bad breath. 

Bayberry Dental Care is located on 8014 W 171st St. in Tinley Park, IL 60477. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please visit bayberrydentalcare.com or call 708-802-8300.

 

Night Guards for Teeth Grinding

Night guards are placed in the mouth to act as a “cushion” during sleep to prevent someone from grinding or gnashing their teeth together. Some people actually do this during the day as well. Grinding your teeth, also known as bruxism, damages enamel, wears down teeth, causes jaw pain, and irritates gums. If you think you are grinding your teeth, we at Bayberry Dental Care in Tinley Park can help.

Severe teeth grinding can lead to tension-type headaches and disorders in the temporomandibular joints (TMJs), where a clicking noise is heard when you open and close your mouth. Teeth grinding has also been seen in quite a few children. According to WebMD, “approximately 15% to 33% of children grind their teeth.” The first step to preventing teeth grinding is to determine what is causing it. Sometimes a night guard or change in lifestyle is all you need to prevent it.

There are several factors that increase the chances of grinding your teeth:

- Stress and anxiety

- Age (though common in children, bruxism goes away by adulthood)

- Aggressive or competitive personality type

- Psychiatric medications

- Smoking tobacco

- Consuming caffeine or alcohol

- Family history of teeth grinding

- Other disorders such as Parkinson's, dementia, gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD), epilepsy, night terrors, sleep apnea, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Bayberry Dental Care is located on 8014 W 171st St. in Tinley Park, IL 60477. For more information about night guards or to schedule an appointment, please visit bayberrydentalcare.com or call 708-802-8300.

 

Flossing With Braces

Don’t make the mistake of thinking your immune to cavities when you have braces. This is simply not the case! Dr. Kathleen Falesy of Bayberry Dental Care, located in Tinley Park, IL, stresses the importance of daily dental care. This includes both brushing and flossing. Although flossing can be more challenging with braces, this isn’t an excuse to neglect it. Regardless, everyone should floss at least once a day.

 

Braces give bacteria unique places to fester. This is mainly due to the fact that these areas are difficult to clean. That shouldn’t be the case. Start flossing after every meal when you have braces. Follow these tips to maintain your dental health.

 

The main and most important aspect of your braces care-kit is floss threaders. These are small dental devices that move floss underneath the orthodontic wire. They almost look like a plastic sewing needle. Insert the floss through the eye, then move the floss into place. Flossing continues as normal. There are alternatives to this. Floss picks work well too. These appear similar to a normal prong tool, except the two prongs are connected by a thread of floss. These minuscule tools move past your braces and reach your teeth. Gently insert the floss between the teeth. Rubbing against the gums normally, you clean the area of mislodged food. Lastly, a Waterpik is a viable option. These tools shoot a steady spray of water at your teeth. The pressure cleans all trapped material from your teeth. They even have add-ons for braces cleanings.

 

In Tinley Park, IL, Bayberry Dental Care provides the best dental care around. We cater to all our patients, no matter what! Dr. Kathleen Falsey provides her dental expertise for all. To schedule an appointment, visit our website or call 708-802-8300.