While dissatisfactory oral hygiene is the most frequent cause of halitosis, many conditions can contribute to or exacerbate the condition. One of these is the lack of saliva or xerostomia.
Saliva and Oral Health Saliva moistens the teeth and gums and removes odiferous dead cells. Saliva also neutralizes the ever-present acids on the tongue, gums, and cheeks, and the minerals in saliva help to maintain enamel durability. Immunoproteins in saliva curb the overgrowth of microbes in the mouth, thereby protecting the gums from gingivitis. Saliva also functions as a disinfectant by cleansing the mouth of leftover food, bacteria, and fungi. This protects against decay and infections.
Many men and women suffer from dry mouth infrequently; perhaps when they are perceiving anxiety or stress. Limiting caffeine, chewing sugar-free gum, using OTC saliva substitutes, and using a humidifier can add moisture to the mouth.
If you have occasional periods of dry mouth, there is probably nothing to worry about. Constant dry mouth, however, can bring about additional oral and physical health dilemmas.
I am Dr. Kernagis of Your Time Dental Urgent Care. I have been treating xerostomia and bad breath since 2001. If you suffer from either condition, we recommend that you book an exam and consultation with your dentist. Your dentist will help you discover the source and guide you on treatment.
You rarely hear the word “toothpaste” without it being preceded by “fluoride.” “Fluoride toothpaste” is ubiquitous for good reason.
Fluoride is a critical mineral that helps your teeth stay strong. It is found in some foods and water and makes toothpaste more effective at fighting cavities. Fluoride helps teeth by making them stronger and more resistant to the harmful acid that is formed by bacteria. Dr. Richard Kernagis may recommend a fluoride treatment in addition to your dental cleaning.
The fluoride used in in-office treatments comes in either a gel or foam and may be available in several flavors. The fluoride is applied directly to teeth through the use of a plastic dental tray that fits over your teeth. The tray is kept in your mouth for just a few minutes. Fluoride treatments are a fairly simple and painless way to strengthen your teeth and maintain an attractive smile.
While many Your Time Dental Urgent Care patients understand the importance of fluoride treatments in fortifying developing teeth in children, some do not realize the importance of fluoride for adults. For this reason, fluoride treatments are sometimes recommended to adults who are susceptible to enamel wear or tooth decay.
If you wonder if you or your child is getting enough fluoride, communicate with Dr. Kernagis about fluoride supplements. Dr. Kernagis will let you know if they are required and determine the precise supplement dosage. Don’t give your child fluoride supplements without your dentist’s counsel. Too much fluoride can lead to fluorosis which discolors teeth and, ironically, can make teeth more susceptible to decay.
A factor that impacts the amount of fluoride your kids are receiving is where you get your drinking water. Your children may not need fluoride supplements if they drink tap water from a fluoridated Florida municipal water supply. If your family only drinks bottled water without fluoride, you may want to think about supplementation. Keep in mind that the FDA does not require bottled water companies to list the fluoride content on the bottle label and many brands sold in the Tampa area do not contain fluoride.
If your child is getting adequate levels of fluoride but continues to get cavities, speak with Dr. Kernagis about helpful dental sealants. They have proven to be very effective at protecting the rear molars from tooth decay.
Dr. Kernagis is committed to preventative dentistry with vital twice-yearly exams and dental cleanings that may include a fluoride treatment. Call 813-519-0128 to book an exam and cleaning and be on your way to a healthy, attractive smile!
Your Time Dental Urgent Care is located at 13145 Kings Lake Drive Ste 105B in Gibsonton. We provide trusted dental care with a comprehensive menu of general and cosmetic dental procedures including urgent dental care, emergency dental care, and urgent dental care.
Richard Kernagis is a member of the American Dental Association. You can learn more about American Dental Association at https://www.ama-assn.org.
Maintaining healthy teeth is an important concern for our local Tampa dental patients. As your Dr., I’m devoted to helping you care for your teeth and keep them healthy. Everyone in Tampa knows that maintaining healthy teeth requires thorough daily brushing and flossing. Regular visits to your local Tampa dental practice are also necessary for preventing cavities and maintaining proper dental hygiene.
We typically forget that maintaining a healthy diet can also be beneficial to your teeth. A diet that includes foods that help your muscles and bones will also help you develop healthy gums and healthy teeth. Examples of local Tampa foods to include in your diet include foods rich in vitamin B such as bread and cereals. Foods rich in vitamin C, usually fruits and vegetables, help improve the health of your gums. Zinc and magnesium are also good for the health of your teeth and are found in foods like lean beef, fish, and poultry.
Saliva is critical to healthy teeth because it assists with maintaining the pH balance in your mouth. Foods high in fiber also encourage saliva production as does the chewing of sugar-free gum. Gum, however, can damage unhealthy teeth or pull out dental fillings, so always use caution when deciding whether to chew gum.
Just as certain diet choices in the Tampa area can be beneficial to the health of your teeth, others can be dangerous. Foods and drinks that are high in sugars – especially soda and energy drinks – are more likely to form the acids that attack your teeth and result in decay. And while table sugar is often associated with the formation of cavities, other sugars such as glucose, fructose, and maltose are also causes and are often found in juices and sodas. Limiting the consumption of sugars to mealtimes lessens the amount of time your healthy teeth are exposed.
Making good diet choices and limiting between-meal sugar consumption can improve the health of your teeth and gums. If you would like to learn how to better care for your healthy teeth in the Gibsonton area, contact Your Time Dental Urgent Care at 813-519-0128. We would love to hear from you.
If you are dreading some upcoming dental treatment, you may want to consider oral conscious sedation. First off, oral conscious sedation or sleep dentistry is perfectly safe. At Your Time Dental Urgent Care, we have been providing sedation since 2001. We offer different levels of sedation and a choice of medication including oral analgesics, nitrous oxide, and IV sedation.
When choosing a type of sedation, it is helpful to consider the type of anxiety (fear of immobility, fear of loss of control, fear of pain, etc), the specific procedure(s) you will undergo, the length of time required to complete the treatment, past experiences during treatment, and any complicating health problems. Call 813-519-0128 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Richard Kernagis to discuss your options.
Perhaps you have a dentist-wary child who needs treatment. For simple dental procedures, topical anesthetics are applied to the gums and other tissues reducing sensation. If your child requires more sedation, nitrous oxide and general anesthesia are both safe options.
Perhaps Mommy is the one who is anxious about her child undergoing dental work. Sorry – we can’t sedate you while your child is being treated – but you can take comfort in the fact that we take excellent care of our youngest patients. We make sure they are comfortable, relaxed, and understand exactly what is going to happen. Our team of child-friendly dental professionals has been putting children at ease since 2001.
Regular dental check-ups are critical for your child’s lifelong oral health, so it is important that your child has a positive experience during dental visits. If possible, don’t let your child know that you have dental anxiety. If he/she already knows, explain why your fears are unreasonable and why you are having treatment regardless of your anxiety. Show them how brave Mommy is because she wants healthy teeth.
Your Time Dental Urgent Care offers full-service dental care including sedation dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, and urgent dental care. Thanks for visiting our blog. Check back for more helpful dental details from Your Time Dental Urgent Care in Gibsonton.
Today’s post focuses on a problem experienced by many people – bad breath.
Bad breath, or halitosis, has several causes. The most frequent cause is poor oral hygiene. Often, halitosis develops midday arising from the inability to brush teeth between meals. Small food pieces on the teeth, gums, and tongue grow bacteria. The wastes of the bacteria and decay of the food create a sulfur compound, which emits the nasty odor. Food particles, bacteria, and sulfuric gas all need to be removed to eliminate bad breath caused by poor oral hygiene.
While poor oral hygiene is the most prevalent cause of halitosis, many circumstances can contribute to or worsen the dilemma. The best remedy is consistent, thorough brushing and flossing, but other actions might also be required depending on the cause(s).
For example, a salivary gland dilemma or certain medications can cause dry mouth. Saliva moistens the teeth and gums, clearing away odiferous dead cells. Saliva also neutralizes the ever-present acids on the tongue, gums, and cheeks. Limiting caffeine, chewing sugar-free gum, using OTC saliva substitutes, and using a humidifier can add moisture to the mouth.
Most Common Causes of Bad Breath:
Poor oral hygiene Inability to brush between meals Gum disease or cavities Smoking Braces An infected root canal Diabetes Kidney failure Liver problems Infection Dry mouth (Xerostomia) Dieting Age Crooked teeth Ear, nose, throat issues Tonsil issues Constant breathing through the mouth Specific foods: garlic, onions, horseradish, etc. Some prescription medications Ill-fitting dentures To Minimize or Prevent Bad Breath:
Go to the dentist twice a year for professional dental cleanings Brush teeth, tongue, gums, and roof of the mouth Use a tongue spray or scraper Use an antimicrobial mouth rinse Chew sugarless gum Brush and floss after each meal Drink plenty of water (A dry mouth is conducive to bacteria growth) Replace your toothbrush every 3 to 4 months Have a toothbrush and floss available when you are out Talk to your doctor or dentist if bad breath stays despite proper oral hygiene
Remember, the very best defense to bad breath is a good dental care routine – brushing, flossing, and regular visits with your dentist. If you struggle with bad breath regardless of vigilant oral hygiene, ask your dentist for help in identifying the source. It may be an issue outside of the oral cavity. If this is the case, your dentist may refer you to your family physician or a specialist.
If you don’t have a regular dentist or are not satisfied with your current one, we invite you to schedule an appointment with Dr. Kernagis at Your Time Dental Urgent Care in Gibsonton. Dr. Kernagis has been serving patients in the Tampa area since 2001. The comfortable team of dental professionals at Your Time Dental Urgent Care provides the full spectrum of general and cosmetic dental services including urgent dental care, emergency dental care, and sedation dentistry.
1. Consider what the anxiety stems from. For example pain, injections, loss of control, personal space invasion, embarrassment about fear of the unknown. 2. Communicate these fears and concerns with your dentist. 3. Expect respectful consideration and open discussion about resolving fears.
Dr. Richard Kernagis has been helping anxious patients relax and feel comfortable since 2001.
Fear of pain is a natural human response. Not knowing what the process will entail can be scary. Allowing Your Time Dental Urgent Care to professionally address your concerns today makes tomorrow’s visits simple for both parties.
We provide exceptional expertise in many areas of dentistry. Education, training, and certifications are important to our office conduct.
Please don’t let the unknown keep you from receiving the quality dental care that will ensure a healthy smile. We have answers to your dental questions. You will appreciate your healthy, beautiful smile long after you forget the anxiety of the dental procedure. Knowledge brings power to anyone afraid of dental care. Dr. Richard Kernagis can educate and provide information valuable to you from your first visit onward.
Call us to set up an informative meeting at 813-519-0128 whether you have urgent issues or simply need an exam and cleaning. Count on Your Time Dental Urgent Care to put you at ease.
Our teeth have many critical functions. We need them to chew our food, talk, and smile. But have you ever considered their role in holding up your face? When we lose teeth, the bone around the site of the extraction begins to shrink. This, in turn, causes our facial muscles to sink in and collapse.
Bone Metabolism
We sometimes think of bone as a solid mass, unlike the softer tissues in our body. In reality, below the seemingly rock-hard surface, bone tissue is full of small holes – kind of like a sponge. In the interior bone tissue, the bone is constantly regenerating itself. This important process is sometimes called “bone metabolism.” In the jaw bone, the movement of the teeth stimulates this process of rebuilding. When the tooth is gone, the bone starts to shrink as blood flow is reduced.
People with missing teeth not only have an unappealing gap in their smile, but they also begin to look older because of the bone recession and eventual facial sagging. It is not simply an issue of attractiveness – it poses serious health dangers. It may become difficult to chew food, making it harder to get adequate nutrition. Mental health can also be affected when a patient with missing teeth loses confidence in themself or withdraws from social situations because they are self-conscious about their smile.
Dental Implants Can Prevent Bone Recession
Modern dentistry to the rescue! Dental implant technology provides a tooth restoration solution that maintains healthy bone metabolism while providing near-normal tooth function. For patients missing many (or all) of their teeth, it may not be possible to replace every single tooth with an implant. In many of these cases, dental implants can be used to provide an anchor for a partial denture.
What if your bone has shrunken so much that there is not enough to support an implant? You may be a candidate for bone augmentation or bone grafting. This procedure is routinely carried out with success.
If you are missing teeth, don’t resign yourself to dentures.Tooth implants can provide a brilliant smile! Schedule a consultation with Dr. Richard Kernagis by calling 813-519-0128.
Many Gibsonton residents consider the myriad options available to stop the aging clock.
Whether it is a surgical procedure, botox, hair implants, or a chemical peel, Florida residents have countless choices to help them look more youthful.
We are excited to tell you about a simple and affordable procedure we offer at Your Time Dental Urgent Care that can create a younger-looking you.
Porcelain veneers will produce a smile that will have people asking you if you have lost weight or started going to the gym because the effect is stunning.
Haven’t you noticed that when you talk with someone who has sparkling, straight white teeth, their smile catches your eye? An engaging smile draws attention away from wrinkles or a flabby belly because a dazzling smile is the first impression others have of you – and it is impossible to ignore!
At Your Time Dental Urgent Care, our porcelain veneers will improve the color of your teeth, cover chips, cracks, or misshapen teeth. Veneers can lengthen teeth that look too short, fill in gaps between teeth and cover any irregularity your teeth may have. Porcelain veneers reflect light the same way natural teeth do making them a great choice for a smile makeover.
If you are a middle-aged (or older) Gibsonton or Tampa resident pondering ways to improve your appearance, Your Time Dental Urgent Care can help you turn back the clock by creating a youthful smile. Your Time Dental Urgent Care has been serving patients in Gibsonton since 2001.
The smiles in the 33534 zip code area can rival those of Beverly Hills 90210 thanks to porcelain veneers. Contact Your Time Dental Urgent Care today for a younger you!
For the 65 percent of adults who detect wisdom teeth in their late teens or early twenties, Your Time Dental Urgent Care generally recommends removal.
Wisdom teeth can damage adjacent teeth and nerves. Their awkward positioning can increase the risk of cavities and gum disease.
Additionally, they often come in crooked, crowding the other teeth and affecting the bite.
Wisdom teeth are also difficult to clean, especially if they do not fully erupt, which is a common problem for many people. This can cause an infection, as bacteria can be trapped under the skin where brushing and flossing is difficult.
Because we are an urgent care dental practice, we are skilled at tooth extractions. This includes wisdom teeth.
Your Time Dental Urgent Care recommends wisdom teeth extraction patients carefully follow the instructions given.
Bleeding is inevitable and should be expected to last up to three days. Rinsing is counter-productive, but firm pressure should be applied by biting down on the gauze pads to help stop the bleeding.
Swelling following wisdom teeth extraction is a sign that the healing process is progressing normally. Swelling that recedes and then re-appears after a few weeks, however, is a sign of infection. If this happens, it is essential that you communicate with us ASAP.
We recommend an examination seven to ten days after the extraction to make sure the wounds are clean and there are no complications. An antibiotic wash can be applied if the infection is present.
At Your Time Dental Urgent Care, dental patients often ask how to get whiter teeth.
We’re happy to say that you are in luck when it comes to teeth whitening in Gibsonton, because cosmetic dentistry procedures like teeth whitening and veneers are safe, effective, and affordable.
What are your options for whiter teeth?
Some Gibsonton patients might be interested in bleaching their teeth at home. There are many affordable teeth whitening products available. Remember that even though you are doing this procedure at home, you should discuss it with your Gibsonton dentist and report any sensitivity that may occur.
There are many dentists in the Tampa area that offer in-office teeth bleaching. This can often be done in one visit. Patients appreciate the care that is given to protect the soft tissues of the mouth from the bleaching agent.
At Your Time Dental Urgent Care you can whiten your teeth when it’s convenient for you. We offer extended weeknight and weekend hours.
As you can see, there are a lot of great ways to keep your teeth nice and white here in Tampa.
If you’re interested in any of these whitening methods or a complete smile makeover, call Your Time Dental Urgent Care. Our comfortable staff will schedule a teeth whitening consultation at your convenience.
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