Post-Extraction Home Care

Keeping your mouth clean after an extraction is vital to a healthy and quick healing process. At Bayberry Dental Care in Tinley Park, IL, we want our patients to be prepared after an extraction. Keep reading to learn about how to take care of your mouth after a tooth is extracted.

The first thing to think about after a tooth has been pulled is getting the bleeding under control. Most likely, you will have gauze in your mouth after the extraction. Keep it in your mouth and change it according to the directions provided by your dentist. In addition, keep away from activities that could promote bleeding like chewing hard food, drinking through a straw, or laying down completely flat. (Prop your head up with an extra pillow for the first night). Eat soft foods for the first day afterwards and bring in harder foods as healing progresses.

Keeping a clean mouth should also be a top priority to avoid infection. Brush your teeth twice per day and floss once, but be careful around the extraction site until healing is complete. Do not rinse your mouth vigorously, as this could promote more bleeding.

For more information on how to take care of your mouth after an extraction, visit our website, www.bayberrydentalcare.com. To set up an appointment with Bayberry Dental Care, call our Tinley Park, IL office at (708) 802-8300. 

Break Those Bad Oral Habits

If you avoid eating cold foods or drinking hot beverages because your teeth are a little tender, it may be time to reflect on your oral care habits. If you have sensitive teeth, Dr. Kathleen Falsey, DDS may recommend dental sealants or fluoride treatments to decrease sensitivity. Sometimes the solution is simply breaking bad habits. If you catch yourself performing any of the following habits, do your best to break them.

• You’re brushing too hard – over time, if you brush with too much force, you can wear down the protective layers of your teeth and expose the microscopic hollow tubes or canals that lead to your dental nerves. When these tubules are exposed, tooth sensitivity is a result.


• You’re eating too many acidic foods – If the pathways to your nerves are exposed, acidic foods will leave you in pain.


• You have tooth decay – If you have tooth decay, it’s easy for bacteria to accumulate in these tiny crevices, which causes acid build-up and enamel breakdown.


• You’re a tooth grinder – Grinding your teeth can wear down your enamel. This exposes the dentin and causes sensitive teeth.

If you suffer from sensitive 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.

Tooth Sensitivity and What it Could Mean

Sensitive teeth can really cause some uncomfortable brushing and even eating. Summer is coming up and many of us want to enjoy refreshing drinks and frozen treats. If tooth sensitivity is bothering you, read on to find out why it could be happening. In addition, schedule an appointment with us at Bayberry Dental Care in Tinley Park, IL so we can make sure you do not have a cavity or an infection.

When a tooth does not have a cavity or an infection, sensitivity is often caused by worn down enamel. Worn down enamel exposes the dentin (the center) of the tooth. The dentin contains tiny tubes that lead to the center of the tooth where all the nerves are, so when these nerves are exposed, you can feel them.

To avoid wearing down your enamel, there are a few things you should keep in mind. First, plaque comes off your teeth with a light touch, so do not brush very hard. Second, if you grind or clench your teeth, you may want to consider wearing a night guard. We can create a custom night guard for you.

In addition to brushing too hard, you can also be brushing too soon. The acid in our foods softens our enamel, so you should wait at least thirty minutes after eating or drinking anything but water to brush. Also, try to keep unnecessary acidic foods to a minimum and rinse after eating them.

If you have sensitive teeth, you may just need to change some habits. In other cases, it could be a sign of decay. To schedule an examination at Bayberry Dental Care in Tinley Park, IL, call our office at (708) 802-8300 or visit our website, www.bayberrydentalcare.com. 

Show Off That Smile

With instant photo sharing taking over the internet, you always want to be camera ready. At Bayberry Dental Care we can improve your smile with cosmetic services such as teeth whitening. Using our take home whitening trays, you can whiten you have the convenience of making your pearly whites white in the comfort of your own home so that you can take that perfect selfie.  However, if there is any reason you can’t go the cosmetic route at this moment, we will provide you with these tips that will help you rock the photogenic smile you already have.

• Be natural – when it’s picture time, smile gently. That way, your face looks relaxed. Your mouth opens slightly, and your lower lip matches the curve of your upper teeth.


• Check your teeth and gums – getting your smile camera-ready sometimes calls for a little behind the scenes prep work. If your pearly whites have yellowed with age, try an over-the-counter whitening product or pay us a visit! Also, don’t forget about taking care of your gums. They play a critical role in your nice smile. So keep them in good shape by brushing, flossing, and rinsing with a mouthwash every day.


• Practice – your perfect smile may not happen overnight, but if you have a big photo event like a wedding or a graduation coming up, it doesn’t hurt to try out your grin in front of the mirror!

If you have questions about our whitening services, please give us a call. To learn about other 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.

The Purpose Teeth Serve

Your teeth are not in your mouth for the sole purpose of looking attractive in pictures. If you don’t take care of your teeth and gums, poor oral hygiene can lead to other health problems in the future. This is why it’s important to visit our staff at Bayberry Dental Care twice a year for oral checkups. If you’ve ever wondered why all of your teeth are different shapes and sizes, Dr. Kathleen Falsey, DDS would like to explain further. Read on to learn about the different types of teeth and the purpose they serve in your mouth! 

• Incisors – located at the front of the mouth, these teeth have a sharp biting surface and are used for cutting or shearing food into small chewable pieces.


• Canines – located at the ‘corners’ of the dental arches, these teeth have a sharp pointed biting surface. Their function is to grip and tear food.


• Premolars – Unlike incisors and canines, these teeth have a flat biting surface. Their function is to tear and crush food.


• Molars – The molars are the largest teeth in the mouth and they too have a large flat biting surface. The function of these is perhaps the strongest of all as they chew, crush, and grind food.

If you have questions about your teeth, please give us a call. To learn about the 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.

Fight Bad Breath

Bad breath is embarrassing and it can it be frustrating to deal with if it’s a frequent problem for you. Here at Bayberry Dental Care in Tinley Park, IL, we want to offer our patients advice on how to get rid of bad breath and how to keep it away.

Bad breath is caused by bacteria. In order to fight the odor, you need to fight the bacteria. This is one of the reasons why it is so important to brush and floss. In addition, brush your tongue, inner cheeks, and the roof of your mouth. Replace your toothbrush every two or three months to ensure you are not introducing more bacteria into your mouth.

Bacteria also thrive in dry mouth conditions, so be sure to stay hydrated. Drink your daily recommended amount of water and avoid alcoholic drinks and caffeinated drinks, as these dry out your mouth. If you need the caffeine for an energy boost, try green tea. The properties of green tea actually fight odor-causing bacteria, so it keeps you hydrated and fights bad breath. Also, if you use a mouthwash, look for one that does not have alcohol in it.

If you have a dry mouth or bad breath in a pinch, chew mint leaves, parsley, or lemon rinds. The greens neutralize odors and the citrus in lemons stimulates saliva.

Fighting bad breath is not only good news for any close encounters, but eliminating bacteria also creates healthier teeth and gums. For more dental health resources, visit our website, www.bayberrydentalcare.com. To schedule an appointment in our Tinley Park, IL office, call Bayberry Dental Care at (708) 802-8300. 

Oral Care for Kids

Baby teeth are vital to a child for reasons that range from development to speech. It is important to take care of them from when they first appear until they fall out. Bayberry Dental Care of Tinley Park, IL wants to give parents a dental care timeline and give reminders on how to take care of their child’s oral health.

Kids should start seeing the dentist as soon as their first tooth appears. They should be seen by the age of one if they have not grown in their first tooth by then. Baby teeth are what create the spots for permanent teeth, so it is important to keep them healthy while they are around. Baby teeth should be brushed with a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride toothpaste is especially important during the cavity-prone years between the ages of six and fourteen. During this time, dental sealants may be a big help, as well.  

When it comes to flossing it should be done as soon as two teeth touch. Cavities are actually more likely to occur between teeth, so this is an important step to remember. You will also be setting up your child for a great flossing routine of their own when they are old enough.  

To schedule your child’s routine cleaning and examination at Bayberry Dental Care in Tinley Park, IL, call our office at (708) 802-8300. More information can be found on our website, www.bayberrydentalcare.com.