Diet and Dental Health

Your body is a machine and you need your teeth to fuel it, which is why Dr. Kathleen Falsey, DDS goes above and beyond to help you take care of them. However, it’s up to you to take care of your machine. One of the most important things you can do for your oral health is schedule regular dental checkups and cleanings twice a year, but you should also make healthy dietary choices on a daily basis. By doing so, you can protect yourself from two of the most common diseases of modern civilization, tooth decay (cavities) and periodontal (gum) disease.

Eating a variety of foods as part of a well-balanced diet may not only improve your dental health, but it may also reduce your risk of developing disorders like cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Each time you eat – what you eat and when you eat it – you create an environment for oral bacteria to develop. Additionally, studies show that dental disease is just as related to overeating as heart disease, obesity, diabetes and hypertension. So making a habit of eating too much of just about anything, too frequently, should be avoided.

If you have further questions about diet affecting your dental health, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.bayberrydentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Kathleen Falsey, DDS at Bayberry Dental Care here in Tinley Park, IL, call 708-802-8300. 

Athletes and Mouth Guards

Mouth guards are essential accessories in contact sports and have been shown to reduce the risk of sport-related dental injuries. Therefore, if you or your child plays football, hockey, basketball, or any other sport where contact is a possibility, then you should talk to Dr. Kathleen Falsey, DDS about protecting your teeth to ensure that you maintain the highest level of performance on the field or on the court.

Mouth guards also called mouth protectors, help cushion a blow to the face, minimizing the risk of broken teeth and injuries to your lips, tongue, face or jaw. It’s important to know that if you purchase an over-the-counter mouth guard, you risk the chance of it not fitting properly. At Bayberry Dental Care, all of our mouth guards are custom made for the highest level of comfort and protection, because they are made to fit and protect your mouth and your mouth only.

If you think you or your child may benefit from a mouth guard, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.bayberrydentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Kathleen Falsey, DDS at Bayberry Dental Care here in Tinley Park, IL, call 708-802-8300. 

Dental Bonding to Repair Smiles

A chip or a crack can really affect a smile. While this may seem devastating at first, it is really a simple fix! Here at Bayberry Dental Care in Tinley Park, IL, Dr. Kathleen Falsey, DDS utilizes dental bonding to fix cracks, chips, and other dental imperfections.

Dental bonding is the process of using a tooth-colored composite resin to repair teeth that have been damaged. Dental bonding can also improve the look of gapped teeth, misaligned teeth, misshapen teeth, and even discoloration. It is cosmetic and restorative dental procedure.

To begin the process of dental bonding, Dr. Falsey first will lightly etch the surface of the tooth to aid a strong bond. Next, a resin that has been chosen to match your teeth will be applied and molded into the right shape. For whitening purposes, a resin will be chosen that is brighter than your current shade and it will be applied over the entire surface of your teeth. The resin is hardened and polished for a natural shine. Just like that, your dental imperfection is part of a beautiful smile!

If you are unhappy with part of your smile or have broken a tooth, make sure to schedule your appointment! To schedule with Dr. Kathleen Falsey, DDS at Bayberry Dental Care here in Tinley Park, IL, call us at (708) 802-8300. For more information, visit our website, www.bayberrydentalcare.com. 

Dental Sealants for Extra Protection!

Extra protection has never really been a bad thing. That is why here at Bayberry Dental Care in Tinley Park, IL, we offer dental sealants to our patients. Sealants work to seal out bacteria and debris from the grooves of molars where decay is common.

During the ages of six through fourteen, children seem to go through a cavity-prone phase. Since molar teeth have depressions and grooves in them (called pits and fissures), plaque and other debris often get stuck. This leads to increased risks of decay. Sealing the area can help keep decay at bay and create a strong foundation for life-long healthy teeth.

Dental sealants are made of a tooth-colored plastic material that is painted onto the teeth. The material is hardened and is able to withstand chewing for several years. Sealants are able to be reapplied when it is necessary. While they are ideal for children and teenagers, adults can also benefit from sealants if they have never had a filling or a cavity in their molars.

While brushing and flossing are essential for a healthy mouth, a little extra protection can cut down the risk of decay even more. To learn more about dental sealants or to set up an appointment, call Bayberry Dental Care here in Tinley Park, IL at (708) 802-8300. We can also be reached through our website, www.bayberrydentalcare.com. 

What is a Dental Bridge?

You may have heard of a dental bridge before, but do you know how it works to replace teeth? Dr. Kathleen Falsey, DDS here at Bayberry Dental Care in Tinley Park, IL offers dental bridges to her patients as a popular option for tooth replacement.

Dental bridges are very true to their name; they really are like a bridge. When a tooth goes missing, there is a space in between teeth. A bridge uses the two teeth adjacent to the open space to attach a replacement tooth. The bridge itself consists of two crowns with a “pontic”, the replacement tooth, in the middle. The crowns are placed on the adjacent teeth which are prepared ahead of time. The pontic fits snugly into the open space, restoring your ability to bite and chew.

Bridges are able to be made to blend in perfectly with your smile. They can be made tooth-colored so that it looks natural as ever. Bridges are a very popular and common restoration option for patients with missing teeth. If the open space is on the end of the row of teeth, there is even a bridge option that will work for that situation.

Missing teeth can be a hassle and can alter the health of your mouth. Replacement is important. To learn more about dental bridges, contact Bayberry Dental Care of Tinley Park, IL by calling us at (708) 802-8300. For more information, visit our website, www.bayberrydentalcare.com. 

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.