Night Guards for Protection Against Grinding and Clenching

Grinding your teeth can render real damage to teeth, the jaw structure, and even the facial structure. Many people do not even know that they grind their teeth because it may happen at night. Dr. Kathleen Falsey, DDS has a solution for patients in our Tinley Park, IL dental practice. Here at Bayberry Dental Care, Dr. Falsey is able to recognize night grinding and offer protection.

Night grinding can create painful and sensitive teeth, jaw pain, facial pain, and even tooth damage. Many people do not notice they grind their teeth at night until a sleep partner notices them doing it or their dentist recognizes signs. Some of these signs include grooves in the teeth, fracture lines in teeth, and worn down teeth. Night grinding may also present itself in TMJ pain.

To protect the teeth from damage and to cushion the jaw and facial structures, Dr. Falsey can provide her patients with a night guard. A night guard is a mouthpiece worn while you sleep. It creates a barrier between the top and bottom teeth; positioning the jaw in a healthy setting. For night grinders, a night guard is essential to maintain oral health and relieve pain.

If you suspect you are grinding your teeth or frequently wake up with a sore jaw, schedule an appointment with Dr. Kathleen Falsey, DDS for an examination. To schedule in our Tinley Park, IL office, call us at (708) 802-8300. For more information about Bayberry Dental Care or night guards, visit our website, www.bayberrydentalcare.com. 

Inlays and Onlays for Restored Smile Confidence!

When teeth have become weak from decay or injury, they can often make a smile appear unhealthy. For a natural, strong restoration, Dr. Kathleen Falsey, DDS of Bayberry Dental Care in Tinley Park, IL utilizes inlays and onlays. Inlays and onlays are able to repair a damaged tooth and restore a smile!

For teeth that have more damage than a filling could hold, but not so much that a full crown needs to be applied, inlays and onlays are the perfect options. Often referred to as partial crowns, they cover the chewing surface of the teeth. Inlays cover the chewing surface between all the cusps; onlays cover the chewing surface, plus one or more of the cusps.

Inlays and onlays are able to be made from gold, porcelain, or composite resin. We are able to make them completely customized so they suit your teeth the best. In addition, they are able to look just like a natural part of a tooth. When you smile, no one will be able to tell you have a restoration!

If you are tired of eating around a tooth because of weakness or desiring an update for your smile, an inlay or onlay may be just what you need. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Kathleen Falsey, DDS of Bayberry Dental Care, call our Tinley Park, IL office at (708) 802-8300. For more information, visit our website, www.bayberrydentalcare.com. 

Your Child’s First Dental Visit

The moment has arrived, your child is one-year-old and it’s time to schedule their first dental visit. At Bayberry Dental Care we want to preserve your child’s teeth and gums for years to come and we start this process by first introducing them to our staff to assure they feel comfortable in our dental chair.

During your child’s first visit, Dr. Kathleen Falsey will examine his or her mouth, teeth and gums, as well as evaluate adverse habits such as thumb sucking. She will also check to see if your child needs fluoride treatment and teach him or her all about cleaning their teeth and keeping their gums healthy. If your child has well surpassed the age of one, you will need to limit their sugar intake as a method of cavity prevention. At our office we are most concerned with all aspects of preventive care and can offer dental sealants as a way to protect your child’s teeth. Once the oral exam is complete and you are satisfied with your experience, we will suggest a schedule for regular dental visits.

If you are searching for a pediatric dentist, look no further and give us a call. To learn more about child dentistry as well as other services we provide, visit www.bayberrydentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Kathleen Falsey at Bayberry Dental Care in Tinley Park, IL, call 708-802-8300.

Purpose of Oral Cancer Screening

Oral cancer appears as a growth or a sore in the mouth that does not go away. It can linger on the lips, tongue, cheeks, floor of the mouth, the palate, and throat and can be life threatening if not diagnosed and treated early. In addition, another danger of oral cancer is that in its early stages, it can go unnoticed. This is why Dr. Kathleen Falsey offers oral cancer screening to patients to identify mouth cancer early, when there is a greater chance for a cure.

Screening for oral cancer may be done during a routine check-up that is performed by Dr. Kathleen Falsey. The exam will include a visual inspection of the mouth and palpation of the jaw and neck. It is often completed with an ultraviolet light or similar device that allows our doctor to view issues that can’t always be detected by the human eye under normal conditions. In between visits at Bayberry Dental Care, it’s important to be aware of the following signs and symptoms such as: pain or tenderness in the oral cavity, a sore or irritation that doesn’t go away, as well as difficulty chewing, swallowing, or speaking. Be sure to call us if they do not disappear after two weeks.  

Just because Dr. Kathleen Falsey recommends oral cancer screenings to patients, this does not mean you have oral cancer. To learn more about oral cancer screening as well as other services we provide, visit www.bayberrydentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Kathleen Falsey at Bayberry Dental Care in Tinley Park, IL, call 708-802-8300.

The Correct Way to Floss

At Bayberry Dental Care, if you aren’t used to using dental floss daily, we understand that it can be challenging to turn this into a habit. However, once you begin a proper flossing regimen, healthy teeth, a white smile, and fresh breath are only a few benefits you will reap. Those who floss daily tend to experience fewer cavities, and less tartar and plaque buildup that can lead to tooth decay. Here are some tips to utilize in between professional cleanings.

• Break off about 18 inches of floss and wind most of it around one of your middle fingers. Wind the remaining floss around the same finger of the opposite hand. This finger will take up the floss as it becomes dirty.

• Hold the floss tightly between your thumb and forefingers.

• Guide the floss between your teeth using a gentle rubbing motion. Never snap the floss into the gums.

• When the floss reaches the gum line, curve it into a “C” shape against one tooth. Gently slide it into the space between the gum and tooth.

• Hold the floss tightly against the tooth. Gently rub the side of the tooth, moving the floss away from the gum with up and down motions. Repeat this method on the rest of your teeth. Don’t forget the back side of your last tooth.

If you have questions about how to maintain a proper oral hygiene routine, give us a call. To learn more about dental health as well as services we provide, visit www.bayberrydentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Kathleen Falsey at Bayberry Dental Care in Tinley Park, IL, call 708-802-8300.

Are You Brushing Effectively?

You have been brushing your teeth for most of your life, but are you brushing them effectively? Brushing your teeth is a key factor in keeping your teeth and gums healthy as well as preventing tooth decay and cavities. However, most of us rush through our oral hygiene routine. Dr. Kathleen Falsey wants you to know that brushing isn’t effective unless you get a full two minutes of brush time in and reach all surfaces of the teeth. If you desire to keep your permanent teeth for a lifetime, utilize these brushing tips the next time you step foot in front of the sink.

• Place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle against the gums.


• Move the brush back and forth in a circular motion in short (tooth-wide) strokes.


• Brush the outer tooth surfaces, the inner tooth surfaces, and the chewing surfaces of the teeth.


• Use the tip of the brush to clean the inside surfaces of the front teeth, using a gentle up-and-down stroke.


• Brush your tongue to remove bacteria.

If you have questions about how to maintain a proper oral hygiene routine, give us a call. To learn more about dental health as well as services we provide, visit www.bayberrydentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Kathleen Falsey at Bayberry Dental Care in Tinley Park, IL, call 708-802-8300.

Pediatric Dental

Kids’ oral care is just as important as adult oral care. In fact, healthy baby teeth are the markers for healthy adult teeth. Even newly-grown in adult teeth need to be taken care of properly right from the start. Here at Bayberry Dental Care in Tinley Park, IL, we offer protective treatment specifically for children to give the best possible dental care available.

In our Tinley Park, IL office, we routinely examine and clean pediatric teeth. We have extensive experience understanding the dental health and problems of children. In addition to the general dentistry we are able to provide, we also provide preventative dentistry.

We offer sealants to protect the molars from decay. Children who have not had a filling or cavity in their molars benefit well from sealants. During the cavity-prone age, it is smart to protect the molars from decay to keep them healthy right from the start. Molars have deep grooves that can be hard to reach while brushing. Sealants are a plastic material that is smoothed over the grooves in the molars to seal out bacteria.

We also offer custom mouth guards for children who participate in sports and other activities. The best form of protection is prevention. Our custom mouth guards fit right, they allow for easy breathing, and they offer the best protection for your child’s teeth, cheeks, tongue, lips, and jaw. Studies have even suggested that mouth guards lower the risk of concussions.

We are a family dentistry invested in the oral health of children. To schedule your family’s appointments with Bayberry Dental Care in Tinley Park, IL, call us at (708) 802-8300. For more information about our practice, visit our website, www.bayberrydentalcare.com.