Benefits of Panoramic X-rays

Proper treatment depends on an accurate diagnosis, which is why we’re proud to offer advanced image testing at Bayberry Dental Care. The Panorex, or panoramic x-ray, is an important tool for investigating the spread of infections, monitoring the integration of implants, and detecting cysts and infections in the jaw bone or sinus cavity. It requires little preparation from the patient, but we want them to know what to expect.

The panoramic x-ray is taken with a circular device that rotates around the patient’s head. No film is placed inside the patient’s mouth; instead they will simply bite on a bite-blocker while the image is being taken. This takes less than twenty seconds. Getting x-rays may not be advisable for a patient who is pregnant, but a Panorex is safe for almost anyone else. Patients will simply need to remove their jewelry, glasses, and any other metal objects from their head and neck and cover themselves with a lead apron.

The image produced by the Panorex is digital, allowing us to use it with our office software to identify problem areas and model future changes, such as the emergence of wisdom teeth. This also allows us to coordinate more easily with a patient’s orthodontist or oral surgeon. The Panorex does not provide a clear view of soft tissues, but it can allow us to detect when a patient needs a referral for more extensive testing.

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.

 

Pregnancy Gingivitis

Gingivitis is so common that many people fail to recognize its symptoms as problems. Lots of people are used to bleeding, swollen gums, and women who are pregnant suffer them at especially high rates. But at Bayberry Dental Care in Tinley Park, we provide patients with deep cleanings and protection against gingivitis, relieving them from gum sensitivity.

Gingivitis literally means “gum inflammation” and it usually results from infections in the gum pockets. As plaque builds up below the gum line, bacteria secrete acids that trigger the body’s immune reaction. Progesterone increases the amount of blood flowing into the gums, and during early and late pregnancy, the amount of progesterone a woman produces rapidly increases. With extra blood, the gums become much more sensitive to the toxic enzymes secreted by plaque, making gingivitis likelier. If left untreated, it could progress into periodontitis.

The best way to combat pregnancy gingivitis is to double down on oral hygiene. More attentive brushing and flossing will keep plaque from building up, although overbrushing can injure the gums, too. Ultimately, some bleeding is expected, but you can prevent gingivitis from becoming serious. If you have any questions about your oral hygiene protocol, we’d be happy to provide you with a cleaning and demonstrate flossing techniques. You might also want to try non-alcoholic mouthwash.

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.

 

What is a Periapical Abscess?

One of our specialties at Bayberry Dental Care in Tinley Park is root canal therapy. This procedure is a means of saving a tooth that has become infected, preventing the patient from requiring an extraction and implant. But if an infection is allowed to go on for too long, the patient will be at risk for one of the most dangerous conditions in dentistry: a periapical abscess.

An abscess is an accumulation of pus, which is a mixture of dead tissue, bacteria, and white blood cells. A periodontal abscess is one that develops in the gum pocket, whereas a periapical abscess forms at the tip of a tooth root where the tooth’s blood vessels exit. Abscesses cause a throbbing pain, swelling, and a foul taste and odor, and are often accompanied by fever. They constitute an emergency and do not go away on their own.

We can safely drain an abscess. We will then carry out a root canal procedure, removing the infected dental pulp and filling in the tooth with a sealant. We will also take x-rays to determine whether the infection has spread. If it has, antibiotics will be necessary. A periapical abscess could develop into sepsis, so don’t wait to come into our office if you are worried you might have a dental pulp infection.

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.

 

Traumatic Tooth Loss

Nobody ever plans to get a tooth knocked out, which is why it’s important for you to know what to do if it happens. With more people enjoying the outdoors during the summer, dental avulsion (as traumatic tooth loss is scientifically called), is a greater risk, but we at Bayberry Dental Care may be able to help if patients follow this advice.

A tooth that has been knocked out should only be held by its crown, not its root. Ideally, the patient will have an ADA-approved tooth container close at hand in a first aid kit. If not, the next best thing is to rinse the tooth with a sterile saline solution and then place it back in its socket. It may take some care to make sure the tooth is facing the right way. If the tooth cannot be reinserted, the patient may try placing it between their gum and cheek or transporting it in a cup of milk.

A tooth that has been cracked at the root may be impossible to save. Dentists also do not re-insert baby teeth that have been prematurely displaced because they may subsequently fail to fall out when the adult tooth is ready to erupt. If a child loses a tooth prematurely, we may recommend an orthodontic spacer to prevent the gap between their remaining teeth from closing. Also, keep in mind that lacerations to the face should take priority over a lost tooth during an emergency. However, we can often save teeth, and when we can’t, we can provide patients with a temporary crown prior to fabricating a partial denture.

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.

 

Alzheimer's Disease and Oral Bacteria

If you’ve kept up with your brushing and flossing, you might see some unexpected benefits later in life. That’s the conclusion of several recent studies investigating a link between oral bacteria and Alzheimer’s disease. Patients suffering from gingivitis can expect compassionate treatment at Bayberry Dental Care in Tinley Park, but we wanted to pass along this news to inspire our readers to keep up their oral hygiene.

One of the bacteria species that causes gum disease is Porphyromonas gingivalis. It secretes an enzyme called a gingipain that is commonly found in brains and spinal fluid, but is especially common in people with Alzheimer’s. Testing on animals revealed that gingipains destroy brain cells and trigger the production of substances that comprise the neural plaque that disrupts Alzheimer’s patients’ neurological function.

Additional recent studies have shown that P. gingivalis is able to spread from oral infections into neural fluid, including in the brain. Scientists do not expect oral bacteria to be the sole cause of Alzheimer’s, but they say this could be an important piece of the puzzle and are developing new drugs based on this research. We know that Alzheimer’s patients have difficulty maintaining their oral hygiene, and this could create a feedback loop. However, patients may be able to prevent Alzheimer’s from beginning by keeping their teeth clean and keeping regular dental appointments.

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.

 

Asthma and Tooth Decay

We work hard a Bayberry Dental Care to assist patients with particular dental health needs. If you struggle with asthma, you may be at increased risk for developing caries and other oral infections. With respect and a gentle touch, we’ll teach you how to manage this condition and reverse decay you may already be suffering.

In people with asthma, the throat and nasal tissues are swollen. Due to difficulty breathing through their noses, they may resort to mouth breathing, particularly while asleep. This significantly increases their risk of dry mouth, also known as xerostomia. Saliva doesn’t just make swallowing food debris easier, it also neutralizes the acid that oral bacteria secrete and that is transferred to teeth from drinks such as soda. Keeping the mouth at a neutral pH level also makes it less hospitable to fungus.

A patient suffering from dry mouth may benefit from using artificial throat moisturizers. They can also stimulate saliva production by chewing sugar-free gum and increasing their water intake. While it is inadvisable to stop taking asthma medications without a doctor’s advice, patients may want to ask about alternatives if their medication is causing dry mouth as a side effect. They should also be aware that throat muscle relaxants can open the sphincter to the stomach, allowing acid reflux to occur, and that inhalant medication commonly contains sugars that will need to be brushed off teeth prior to bed.

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.

 

Benefits of Sealants

You can be a good brusher, but as long as there are deep natural grooves in your teeth, they’ll be at risk for decay. We highly value prevention at Bayberry Dental Care. To protect our patients from caries, we offer sealants that shield their teeth from decay and deprive bacteria of hiding places.

Our molars and premolars are made up of raised points, called cuspids, with indentations in between. Those indentations can easily get filled up with food debris, and children, in particular, have a difficult time cleaning them. Dental sealants are bits of plastic that are used to fill in indentations, smoothing them out and providing an extra layer of material that acid would have to break through to harm a tooth. They are commonly put on molars and premolars as soon as their surfaces are fully erupted.

The sealant placement process is easy. After brushing the teeth, we’ll apply an etching acid to them that will increase their surface area, allowing the plastic to more easily bond with enamel. We’ll then use a special light to harden the plastic. The sealant is thin enough to allow the cuspids to continue grinding food. Patients with sealants sill have to brush and floss regularly, but they get 80% fewer caries in the teeth that have been treated.

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.