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.

Scaling and Root Planing

Periodontitis is the second stage of gum disease and though it’s treatable, Dr. Kathleen Falsey, DDS of Bayberry Dental Care hopes your oral hygiene habits are never this poor. Periodontitis is caused by lack of oral care, as well as untreated gingivitis. Gingivitis is reversible, so if you notice a bit of blood in the sink, floss at least twice a day for one week straight (and continue to do so) to reduce it. If you don’t, you may need a deep cleaning of the gums, called scaling and root planing.

Periodontal disease comes from plaque, a sticky film of bacteria that builds up on teeth from the foods that we consume. When plaque is not removed by proper brushing and flossing, it can form pockets in the gums. The plaque will then get trapped in these pockets and will need to be removed by scaling and root planing. Scaling removes plaque and tartar from below the gum line, while root planing smoothes the tooth root and helps the gums reattach to the tooth. After this deep cleaning, you may experience gum sensitivity, but you will have a healthier smile overall.

If you have questions or concerns regarding scaling and root planing, 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.

Foods That Promote Oral Health

Diet has more of an impact on oral health than you may think. Poor nutrition that doesn’t consist of the nutrients your body needs may cause your mouth to have a more difficult time, fighting against infections, periodontal disease, and tooth decay. Proper nutrition means eating a well-balanced diet that avoids sugars and harmful acids. Dr. Kathleen Falsey, DDS is here to suggest foods that promote healthy teeth.

Cheese lovers will be happy to know that eating cheese lowers the risk of tooth decay. This is because cheese contains calcium and protein that help strengthen tooth enamel. Leafy greens, vegetables such as carrots and celery, apples, and almonds help fight against plaque, increase saliva flow in the mouth, and overall promote a healthy body as well as a healthy smile. On top of increasing the number of healthy foods in your diet, avoid beverages that contain sugar as they are harmful to teeth.

If you have questions about diet and dental health, 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.

Fixing Loose Teeth

Once you’re an adult, you’ll hopefully never have a loose tooth again. But when permanent teeth do start wiggling, Bayberry Dental Care is here to help. Secondary occlusal trauma is the term used by doctors to describe damage to the gum ligaments, and loose teeth due to periodontal disease, instead of sudden blows, are the focus of this week’s post.

When periodontitis reaches its most severe state, it’s not just soft tissue that is affected. The tissue of the jaw bone, like the gum pockets and ligaments, may lose mass and recede. This will cause teeth to come loose and put them at risk for falling out. While the loss of any adult tooth is bad, the loss of the molars will oblige the front teeth to take on biting forces they cannot sustain, pushing them out of place and making them even looser.

Dr. Falsey is trained in periodontal therapies to get patients’ gum disease under control, which must be done if any fix for the teeth is to be permanent. A splint can be applied to the teeth in order to distribute bite forces more evenly among them during the periodontal treatment or on a permanent basis, and bone grafts can rebuild lost jaw tissue.

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.

 

Tooth Sensitivity in Children

As a practice that serves entire families, Bayberry Dental Care regularly uncovers the causes of tooth sensitivity in children. The reasons why children get toothaches differ somewhat from the reasons commonly seen in adults and it’s important when making a diagnosis to try to get them to be as specific as possible about what they are experiencing.

It may be that there is no problem at all. New teeth are often sensitive when they first erupt through the gum line and for a while afterward while they are first exposed to the air. This soreness will dissipate in time. However, since children are the demographic which most often gets cavities (also known as caries), a cavity is the most obvious problem to look for. Children can easily develop cavities by not brushing properly, but improper brushing itself can cause sensitivity if it damages the gums.

Another possible cause of dental pain is a sinus infection. This most commonly affects the upper back teeth. Children with diabetes are also at a high risk of developing gum disease, and gum recession leaves teeth’s roots exposed. Lastly, the misalignments common in children’s teeth often cause them to engage in tooth grinding, which erodes the teeth and causes jaw pain.

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.

 

Periodontitis

Periodontal disease comes in four stages. We’ve previously mentioned how gingivitis develops and told you how this condition can be prevented, but now it’s time to talk about periodontitis. If gingivitis is left untreated, it will advance to this second stage of periodontal disease. Periodontitis is not only an inflammation of the gums; it causes destruction to the support structures of the teeth. Dr. Kathleen Falsey, DDS of Bayberry Dental Care hopes the status of your oral health never reaches this point, but she’s here to treat it if it does.  

In all cases, periodontitis is caused by plaque. When the teeth are not properly cleaned by thorough brushing and flossing, a hard deposit called tartar will form on the tooth. As these bacteria progress deeper into the gums, pockets will form and cause the bacteria to multiply. This can eventually lead to tooth loss if not treated right away. There are a number of factors that increase your risk of periodontitis, such as smoking, stress, and other oral –systemic diseases such as diabetes. If you notice any signs or symptoms of periodontal disease, please contact us immediately to correct the problem.

If you have questions or concerns about periodontal disease, 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.

Gingivitis

When you visit Bayberry Dental Care for a routine cleaning, one of the first things Dr. Kathleen Falsey, DDS looks for is gingivitis. If your gums are bright red or bleed easily when she is brushing and flossing your teeth, she may suggest some oral hygiene reinforcement.  Gingivitis – the earliest stage of gum disease – is reversible, but prevention is more important. If plaque is not removed by daily brushing and flossing, your gums will suffer the consequences.

The primary cause of gingivitis is plaque buildup due to a poor oral hygiene routine. When plaque is not adequately removed, it causes an accumulation of tartar which only Dr. Kathleen Falsey, DDS and her team of hygienists is able to eliminate.  Gingivitis prevention begins at home by brushing your teeth at least twice a day, flossing at least once a day, and regularly rinsing your mouth with an ADA approved antiseptic mouthwash.

If you have questions or concerns about periodontal disease, 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.