Sensitivity and Enamel

It seemed to take forever for warm weather to arrive this year, but now that it has, ice cream parlors are doing brisk business. Unfortunately, many people suffer from tooth sensitivity and try to avoid things that are too cold (or too hot). Patients at Bayberry Dental Care can count on us to restore their teeth’s integrity, but there are some things they need to understand to maintain their oral health.

The blood vessels in each tooth surround a nerve. Although the outside of dental crowns is made up of hard enamel, between enamel and pulp is a layer called dentin that is made up of small tubes. Heat easily transfers through dentin, so if the enamel is compromised, a person’s dental pulp will be extremely sensitive to heat changes. The roots of teeth, which are normally insulated by gum tissue and an adhesive called cementum, have less enamel.

Enamel may crack, but sensitivity is usually due to changes in its chemical structure. Acid, whether produced by oral bacteria or regurgitated from the stomach, dissolves the calcium phosphate that comprises enamel. A patient can reinforce their enamel by using fluoridated toothpaste and by getting treatments at our office such as sealants and fluoride therapies. But if enamel has lost mass, the cavity will have to be repaired with a filling. Deep cleanings are essential to preventing gum recession and protecting tooth roots.

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 Bayberry Dental Care and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Arthritis and Gum Disease

If you have pain in your joints, gum disease may be to blame. May is National Arthritis Month, and to help our patients prevent joint inflammation, we at Bayberry Dental Care in Tinley Park want to pass along some important new research into how oral bacteria may be related to rheumatic disorders.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder in which the patient’s immune system attacks their synovium, the soft tissue that lines joints. The synovium thickens in response, becoming stiff and painful. The causes of rheumatism have remained elusive, although we know that smoking and genetics are contributing factors. Synovium and gum tissue share a similar cellular make-up, and scientists were interested in whether they became inflamed in response to similar factors.

Research found that the acid produced by a certain kind of pathological oral bacteria causes excessive deformation of proteins, a process called hypercitrullination. The immune system overproduces antibodies to eliminate the proteins and compromised cells, and the antibodies attack synovium. Scientists have also found some evidence that treating gum disease reduces arthritis symptoms in people with rheumatism, so we hope that our patients won’t delay coming in for their regular deep cleanings.

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 Bayberry Dental Care and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Inlays/Onlays

Inlays/Onlays are partial crowns that are used to restore appearance and functionality to a tooth. If you are self-conscious of your smile, these restorative devices can help. The inlays/onlays attach to the base of your individual teeth. They help when the biting surfaces of your teeth are damaged. Dr. Kathleen Falsey of Bayberry Dental Care, located in Tinley Park, IL., offers inlays/onlays to our patients.

 

The main difference between a patient receiving an inlay or an onlay depends entirely on the severity of the tooths decay. If a tooths cusp has no damage, an inlay is used. If there is damage, an onlay is needed. Onlays extend onto the chewing surface in order to replace one or more of the cusps. Inlays are just bonded directly onto the tooth.

 

Your inlay(s)/onlay(s) can be made of porcelain, gold, or composite resin. Porcelain is the most common and popular due to its strength and color. Porcelain blends more with the natural shading of your teeth.

 

The complete process will take between 2-3 appointments. Dr. Falsey will first remove the decayed areas of the tooth. To make sure that the inlay/onlay will fit, an impression of your tooth will be taken. This will be sent to a dental laboratory to create your restorative device. A temporary sealant will be placed on the tooth in the meanwhile. At your second appointment, Dr. Falsey will remove the sealant. The inlay/onlay will be placed to make sure it fits. If it is, it will be bonded to the tooth.

 

Bayberry Dental Care is located in Tinley Park, IL. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Kathleen Falsey, visit our website or call 708-802-8300.

Proper Flossing Technique

Many patients neglect to floss regularly or add flossing to their daily dental routine. This is a critical mistake. Flossing is just as important as brushing. Only through flossing can you reach areas of your mouth that your toothbrush cannot. Dr. Kathleen Falsey of Bayberry Dental Care hears a lot of reasons why our patients don’t floss regularly at their bi-annual appointments. Here are a few tips and tricks about flossing that can help you keep a better dental routine.

 

For many patients, the biggest issue is that they never learned to floss properly. This is an easy fix. When you are flossing, the first step is to take about 18 inches of floss out from the container. Wrap one end around each of your middle fingers. Twirling one finger will pull away dirty floss, with the floss twirling in from the other finger being clean. The next step is to guide the floss gently between your teeth. Try not to snap the floss. This will only hurt you and damage your gums. Once the floss is in, curve it around one of the two teeth in a “C” shape. Tightly hold the floss and slide it up an down. Make sure to do this for all of your teeth.

 

If you have trouble getting to certain areas of your mouth when flossing, there's no need to give up. Almost all grocery stores and supermarkets sell handheld flossing applicators. These small devices can fit into the tighter areas of your mouth. This allows you to clean them as well. For tight spaces between teeth, consider using a different type of floss. Floss comes in various thicknesses and types. A thinner floss should be able to fit between any teeth.

 

Bayberry Dental Care is located in Tinley Park, IL. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Kathleen Falsey, visit our website or call 708-802-8300.

Dental Bridges

As people age, their teeth naturally begin to lose their lackluster. A lost permanent tooth needs to be replaced in order to maintain proper alignment of your teeth. Your teeth are needed for speaking and chewing. Dr. Kathleen Falsey of Bayberry Dental Care offers dental bridges. Dental bridges are devices that attach artificial teeth to your natural teeth.

 

There are two kinds of dental bridges, fixed and removable. Fixed bridges are applied by placing crowns on your natural teeth or by bonding the bridge directly to the natural teeth. Removable or partial bridges are attached with metal clasps to the natural teeth. Fixed bridges are often recommended over temporary because they are more stable.

 

Dental bridges can help your teeth's appearance and functionality. In terms of aesthetics, a bridge supports your lips and cheeks. Losing a back tooth can also make your mouth and face sink in a way that makes you look older. Bridges correct these problems. For functionality, bridges keep your jaw and mouth from becoming misaligned. Teeth were meant to be in a complete set. When one is missing, the whole distribution of your bite is thrown off. Uneven pressure in your mouth can lead to jaw pain and other issues. Missing teeth can also increase your risk of gum disease.

 

The attachment procedure takes between 2-3 appointments with Dr. Falsey. At your first appointment, your teeth will be prepared by removing parts of the enamel and dentin. An impression will then be made of your teeth. This impression or mold will be used to create your personalized dental bridge. A dental laboratory will create the bridge and send it back to us.

 

Dr. Kathleen Falsey is located at Bayberry Dental Care, located in Tinley Park, IL. To schedule an appointment, visit our website or call 708-802-8300.

April 2019: Oral Cancer Awareness Month

This April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month. Dr. Kathleen Falsey of Bayberry Dental Care, located in Tinley Park, IL., offers oral cancer screenings and information for our patients. Dentists are often the first medical professionals to diagnose oral cancer. Prevention is the key to living a healthy life. If you experience anything new or weird happening in your mouth that lasts longer than two weeks, make an appointment ASAP.

 

Any new or strange anomalies need to be seen by your dentist immediately. If these issues are reoccurring or have lasted longer than two weeks than it is especially urgent. This is often the first indicator of something more serious. Be on the lookout for these symptoms:

 

Mouth sores that take over 14 days to heal, a new and strange coloring of the soft tissue, lumps or hard spots in the mouth, especially if they bleed easily, and/or a lump on the outside of the neck.

 

The symptoms for HPV-cause oropharyngeal cancer often vary from the symptoms above. For these patients, they might experience a sore or hoarse throat, a constant cough, lump on the neck, problems swallowing, and an ache in one or both ears.

 

The two major risk factors for oral cancer is heavy drinking and smoking. Patients should also be cautious of other tobacco products, such as chewing tobacco. The other risk factor is contracting the sexually transmitted human papillomavirus 16.

 

Don’t wait to make an appointment if you or a loved one are experiencing any of these symptoms. Your health isn’t worth the risk. Contact Bayberry Dental Care, located in Tinley Park, IL. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Kathleen Falsey, visit our website or call 708-802-8300.

 

Dental Implants

Bayberry Dental Care, of Tinley Park, IL., offers dental services such as dental implants. Dental implants are replacements for natural teeth that are missing or have been removed. They are a better alternative to dental bridges because other teeth are not affected. Dr. Kathleen Falsey is dedicated to helping you achieve the smile you deserve with our dental implants.

 

The process for dental implants will take place over a few appointments, spanning over a couple of months. The first part of the process is installing the implant itself. You will be placed under general anesthesia for the procedure. Dr. Falsey will make an incision in the gums, placing the titanium screw into the jaw. After, the gums are sutured shut. The entire procedure itself takes around twenty minutes to complete.

 

It takes between 3-6 months for the implant to completely heal. During this time the jaw bone will form around the implant in a process called osseointegration. You will be given crowns during the healing process. This will let you continue to eat and speak normally throughout.

 

Once the implant is fully healed, an abutment is placed. This will serve as the base for your new tooth. An impression is created from this and sent to a dental laboratory. There they will create your permanent restoration. At your final appointment, Dr. Falsey will attach the final restoration.

 

If you are interested in our dental implant services, or our other services, contact Bayberry Dental Care today. We are located in Tinley Park, IL. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Kathleen Falsey, visit our website or call 708-802-8300.