Thank You For Your Testimonials!

Here at Bayberry Dental Care, Dr. Kathleen Falsey, DDS, and staff appreciate feedback from our customers because it teaches us how to improve as a team. Our staff would not only like to thank Karen B. for her review, but we would like to thank her for being an excellent patient. If you recently experienced exceptional service from our office, please let us know!  

“Dr. Kathleen Falsey and the Bayberry Dental staff have been amazing. They treat their clients in a professional and respectful manner. They make dealing with our dental insurance company easy. Dr. Falsey has always gone above and beyond from regular checkups to emergencies. My family and I have been clients for many years now and we would never think of going anywhere else. It is a wonderful feeling to be treated more like a friend than a patient!”

If you would like to leave a testimonial or are interested in learning more about the services we provide at the practice, visit www.bayberrydentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Kathleen Falsey, DDS in our Tinley Park office, call 708-802-8300.

Cavity Characteristics

There are two main factors that contribute to cavities. One is bacteria in the mouth and the other is a diet that is high in sugar. It’s no surprise that cavities are common among children, but changes that occur with aging, make cavities an adult problem, too. To prevent cavities from developing you should brush and floss on a daily basis, in addition to scheduling professional cleanings with Dr. Kathleen Falsey, DDS at Bayberry Dental Care twice a year.

Cavities, or tooth decay, are the destruction of your tooth enamel, the hard, outer layer of your teeth. Tooth decay is heavily influenced by lifestyle, what we eat, how well we take care of our teeth, and the presence of fluoride in our water and toothpaste. Only your dentist can tell for sure if you have one because sometimes cavities cause little to no pain at all. Regardless of how and where they occur, the best way to spot them and treat them before they become serious is by visiting Dr. Kathleen Falsey, DDS for checkups.

If you are experiencing signs of tooth decay, 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.

Protect Teeth with Fluoride

Fluoride is commonly called nature’s cavity fighter and there’s a good reason for this. Fluoride helps prevent tooth decay by making the entire tooth surface more resistant to acid attacks from the bacteria that live in the plaque on your teeth. Fluoride also promotes remineralization, which aids in repairing early decay before a cavity forms in the tooth. Here at Bayberry Dental Care, we can provide patients with fluoride treatments to help them protect their pearly whites.

Fluoride is found naturally in soil, water, foods, and several minerals. When present at the right level, fluoride in drinking water has two beneficial effects: preventing tooth decay and contributing to healthy bones. The type of fluoride we utilize at our practice is called topical fluoride. Topical fluoride is applied directly to and absorbed by the surface of the teeth. It may be applied as a foam or gel after a professional cleaning and can additionally be found in personal oral hygiene products such as toothpaste and mouth rinses.

If you think you may benefit from fluoride treatment, 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.

Oral Care for Senior Citizens

Advancing age puts many seniors at risk for a number of oral health problems. These problems include but are not limited to darkened teeth, dry mouth, gum disease, tooth loss, root decay and gum disease. Here at Bayberry Dental Care, we have plenty of restorative options for our patients to choose from if they are candidates. However, we encourage you to take care of your teeth on a regular basis, no matter how old you are. 

Seniors are more likely to suffer from a host of oral health issues resulting from their inability to provide themselves with adequate dental hygiene care. Certain medical conditions, such as arthritis in the hands and fingers that may make brushing or flossing teeth difficult to perform. These factors leave many seniors at risk of ignoring tooth decay and tooth infection until there is no alternative but tooth extraction. With regular checkups, problems can be caught in the earliest stages to help prevent serious conditions from occurring. 

If you are a senior seeking dental care 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.

Oral Care with Arthritis and Other Hand Difficulties

Arthritis and other conditions that make hands difficult to use can have an unfortunate effect on oral health. It isn’t commonly thought of unless you are actually going through it. At Bayberry Dental Care in Tinley Park, IL, we want all of our patients to be able to take care of their teeth. Take some of these tips!

Brushing your teeth can be difficult with stiff and painful hands. Make it easier on yourself by purchasing a toothbrush with a non-slip grip and a thick handle. This, along with a small toothbrush head will make maneuvering the toothbrush around your mouth a bit easier. Electric toothbrushes are even better for patients with hand trouble, as they do most of the work. They just need to be held in the right positions.

Next, you want to be sure you are still flossing. Cavities are actually more likely to form between your teeth than anywhere else in the mouth. Floss picks are available that do not involve holding on to thin string. However, if you prefer classic dental floss, make sure you are using a piece about eighteen inches long. Wrap the excess around your fingers and hands to make the floss nice and taught. Rotate the floss as you go. It may help to tie the floss into a loop.

One last thing has to do with your toothpaste. It can be hard to unscrew the cap with stiff hands, especially when it gets sticky from toothpaste. Instead, look for a toothpaste that has a flip cap. These are much easier to open and close.

Hand conditions like arthritis may make oral care more difficult, but with some minor tweaks, you can make things go more smoothly. Also, be sure to schedule your routine cleaning and examinations here at Bayberry Dental Care. To schedule in our Tinley Park, IL office call us at (708) 802-8300. We can also be contacted through our website, www.bayberrydentalcare.com. 

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.