Help Nervous Kids Relax at the Dental Office

Some kids love going to the dentist and some are fearful of it. For those kids who fear dental appointments, parents often wonder how to make their child feel more at ease. At Bayberry Dental Care in Tinley Park, IL, we want all of our patients to feel comfortable; patients both big and small. Take some of our tips for easing dental anxiety in kids.

Pretend Dental Visits

By pretending to be the “dentist” at home, your child will feel more comfortable in our office. Try having them lean back in a chair or on a couch while you count their teeth. This will help them know what to expect while in the real dental chair.

 

Start Them Young

Not only does starting kids’ dental visits young help them feel more comfortable in our office, it is actually necessary! Kids should start seeing the dentist as soon as they grow in their first tooth or by the age of one. The younger they start, the more familiar they will feel with the appointments.

 

Reward Good Behavior

Giving your child praise or a reward after good behavior at a dental appointment is a good way to reinforce positive feelings. Take them to a park, let them pick a movie to see, or make their favorite dinner afterward. Be sure to offer the reward after the dental appointment, because you do not want to offer it before, making them feel like there is something to be afraid of. The next time they go to the dentist, they will associate a good appointment with your praise.

 

Kids may feel nervous about dental appointments, but there are ways to help them relax. To schedule your family’s appointments at Bayberry Dental Care here in Tinley Park, IL, call our office at (708) 802-8300. More information about us can be found on our website, www.bayberrydentalcare.com. 

Adds These Foods to Your Menu for Healthy Teeth and Gums!

While you often hear that you need to brush your teeth after eating because leaving the food there can lead to decay, there are actually some foods that benefit your oral health. At Bayberry Dental Care in Tinley Park, IL, we want our patients to have well-rounded oral health. Keep reading to learn about some of the foods that benefit your gums and teeth.

There are actually foods that help to clean your teeth, like crunchy, fibrous fruits and veggies. These foods scrape against your teeth and remove plaque! If you can’t reach for a toothbrush after lunch, reach for some cucumbers or cut up an apple!

Calcium helps build strong teeth. Milk and yogurt are great sources of calcium along with broccoli and spinach. In addition, milk and cheese lowers the levels of acid in your mouth, further protecting teeth and gums.

Citrus fruits like oranges and grapefruits are great for your gums. They strengthen the blood vessels and connective tissues that connect your teeth to your jaw. They also reduce inflammation. Just be careful, acidic foods should be eaten in moderation. The acid can actually harm your teeth by wearing down enamel if eaten too often.

Foods that contain polyphenols like cranberries and tea prevent plaque from growing and sticking to teeth. Less plaque means less risk for cavities, less bad breath, less risk of staining, and more!

Add these foods into your balanced nutrition for added oral health! To schedule a cleaning and examination with Bayberry Dental Care in Tinley Park, IL, call us at (708) 802-8300. More information about us can be found on our website, www.bayberrydentalcare.com. 

Choosing the Right Toothbrush for You

Walking down the toothbrush aisle can bring up a few questions. There are so many different kinds; it can be difficult to know what is right for you. At Bayberry Dental Care in Tinley Park, IL, we want to be sure our patients are able to choose the right toothbrush for them so they are getting the best cleaning.

The first difference many notice about toothbrushes is that some of them are electric. Patients want to know which is better, electric or manual. Studies are showing that manual toothbrushes do the same job cleaning the mouth as the electric ones. The only difference may be for those who cannot use their hands as well, like patients with arthritis. In this case, since the electric toothbrush does most of the work, it may make it easier to do a good job.

A small head is recommended for reaching those hard-to-reach areas in the mouth. You want to make sure you can reach your back molars and a small head makes it easier to brush all sides of them. As far as bristles go, softer bristles are best for removing plaque. Bristles that are too stiff can irritate gums and hurt enamel.

If you are unsure which type of toothbrush is best for you, do not hesitate to ask. To schedule an appointment with Bayberry Dental Care in Tinley Park, IL, call our office at (708) 802-8300 or visit our website, www.bayberrydentalcare.com. 

Advantages of Teeth Whitening

Teeth stain for many reasons, including your food and drink choices, oral hygiene, and medication use. Teeth stain occurs on the surface of the tooth (extrinsic stains) or below the tooth enamel (intrinsic stains) and some people develop both types. Keeping our teeth their whitest is a lot harder than it sounds which is why Dr. Kathleen Falsey, DDS at Bayberry Dental Care offers a teeth whitening service that can provide you with life-changing benefits.

Let’s face it, not all of us are gifted with a perfect set of teeth that sparkle from their whiteness. Not only does being able to show the world your pearly whites give you more self-confidence, but it projects an outward appearance of healthiness that others are attracted to. Whiter teeth are associated with a healthier lifestyle – when people have a brighter smile, they tend to smile more often and are less self-conscious while interacting with people. In addition, one of the biggest advantages of teeth whitening is that it does not have any harmful side effects on your teeth.

If you wish to enhance the aesthetics of your smile, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. 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.

How to Choose a Mouthwash

Mouthwash or rinses are used for a variety of reasons: to freshen breath, to help prevent or control tooth decay, to reduce plaque, to prevent or reduce gingivitis, to reduce the speed that tartar forms on the teeth, or to produce a combination of these effects. Active ingredients vary depending on the type of mouth rinse, but are normally placed into four general groups. While shopping for mouthwash at your local drugstore, it is important when searching for the rinse that’s right for you to look for the American Dental Association (ADA) seal of approval. Mouthwash has many beneficial properties and Dr. Kathleen Falsey, DDS of Bayberry Dental Care would like to explain a few.

• Antimicrobial agents act directly on oral bacteria to help reduce plaque, decrease the severity of gingivitis and control bad breath.


•  Fluoride helps reduce tiny lesions (tooth decay) on tooth enamel and make teeth more resistant to decay.


• Astringent salts can serve as temporary deodorizers that mask bad breath.


• Odor neutralizers act by chemically inactivating odor causing compounds.

If you have any oral hygiene questions, 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.

Bruxism Basics

Grinding of your teeth, also known as bruxism can have a variety of causes. Some experts view bruxism as nothing more than a habit. It can also be a result of the body’s reaction when the teeth do not line up or come together properly. Some people grind their teeth only during sleep. This is called “nocturnal bruxism” or “sleep-related bruxism.” Others grind or clench their teeth during the daytime as well. If you experience signs and symptoms of bruxism, Dr. Kathleen Falsey at Bayberry Dental Care can develop an individualized treatment plan for you.

When diagnosing bruxism, Dr. Kathleen Falsey will ask about your general dental health, what sources of stress you have in your life, and what medicines you take. She will then examine you, paying special attention to the muscles in and around your jaw. Additionally, Dr. Falsey may look at your teeth for evidence of grinding as well as check for tenderness in your jaw muscles and the jaw joint.

If you catch yourself grinding or clenching your teeth, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. 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.

When a Tooth Extraction May Be Necessary

Although permanent teeth were meant to last a lifetime, having a tooth pulled is sometimes necessary. At Bayberry Dental Care, Dr. Kathleen Falsey, DDS would like you to know that before she considers extraction, every effort will be made to try to repair and restore your tooth.  You’re probably most familiar with wisdom teeth extractions, but other reasons for the procedure may include:

• Severe tooth damage/trauma – some teeth have such extensive decay and damage (broken or cracked) that repair is not possible.


• Orthodontic treatment – people getting braces may need teeth extracted to create room for teeth that are being moved into place.


• Some teeth may need to be extracted if they have the potential of becoming infected.


• Extra teeth – extra teeth may block other teeth from erupting, therefore, will require extraction.

If you have a tooth that is causing you pain, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. 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.