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.

How to Keep Your Smile White

It can seem difficult to keep your teeth nice and white; however, with a few tips and tricks, it’s actually pretty easy. At Bayberry Dental Care in Tinley Park, IL, we offer professional teeth whitening to give you a head start. In addition, take some of our tips for avoiding staining.

Dark foods and drinks like blueberries, coffee, wine, and soy sauce are common stain culprits. Avoid these dark foods and drinks as much as possible to keep a white smile. We do know that it is not always possible to avoid a consuming something dark, though. So after you eat a dark food or drink something like coffee, be sure to rinse your mouth out with water afterward. It is safe to brush your teeth thirty minutes after eating or drinking. You can also try sipping dark drinks through a straw to avoid contact.

Along with avoiding stain-causers, you will want to keep good oral hygiene. Plaque can cause yellowing, darkening of teeth, and it can trap in stain-causers close to your enamel. To remove plaque, brush two or three times per day and floss once per day.

To learn more about our professional teeth whitening, be sure to contact us. To schedule an appointment with Bayberry Dental Care in our Tinley Park, IL office, call us at (708) 802-8300 or visit our website, www.bayberrydentalcare.com. 

Dental Care with Braces

While wearing braces, you want to ensure you are keeping a clean mouth so you are not increasing the risk of cavities and uneven staining. At Bayberry Dental Care in Tinley Park, IL, we want all of our patients to understand how to keep great oral health. Keep reading for some tips on how to brush and floss while wearing braces.

When brushing, you need to hit all sides of your teeth as you normally would. When it comes to brushing the surfaces where the brackets are wires are attached, you will need a special brushing technique. Brush along the tops and bottoms of all the brackets. Then, take an interdental cleaning brush and brush both sides of each bracket. Look to be sure that there is no leftover plaque on the sides of the brackets.

To floss, using a threader will help you get underneath the wires easier and quicker. Floss threaders or floss with threaders attached at often found where dental supplies are sold.

Keeping a good at-home hygiene routine and coming in for your professional dental cleanings will ensure a healthy mouth after the braces come off. To schedule your cleaning and examination at Bayberry Dental Care in Tinley Park, IL, call us at (708) 802-8300 or visit our website, www.bayberrydentalcare.com.