Emergency Dentist

Mar7

Does Your Tooth Injury in the South Tampa Area Require Immediate Attention?

Categories: Emergency Dentist, Urgent Dental Care

young woman suffering from severe tooth pain, possible dental emergency Tooth injuries can happen unexpectedly, and knowing when to seek immediate care is crucial for protecting your oral health. Whether it’s a sharp pain, a troubling break, or the worst-case scenario of losing a tooth, understanding the seriousness of these issues is essential. Here’s a quick guide from Your Time Dental in Gibsonton, FL to help you determine if your tooth injury requires urgent attention.

1. Knocked-Out Tooth

This is undoubtedly one of the most urgent dental emergencies. If you or a loved one has a tooth completely knocked out, time is critical. Acting fast increases the chances of saving the tooth. Here’s what you should do:

  • Handle the tooth by the crown (top part), not the root.
  • Rinse it briefly with water if it’s dirty, but do not scrub it.
  • Try to place the tooth back into its socket if possible. If not, store it in a container of milk or keep it in your cheek to stay moist.
  • Seek dental care immediately. The goal is to get to a dentist within 30 minutes for the best chance of reattachment.

At Your Time Dental in Gibsonton, we specialize in providing same-day care for emergencies like this. Dr. Rick Kernagis and our team are here to help save your smile with expert treatment.

2. Severe Toothache

At first glance, a toothache might not seem like an emergency, but severe or persistent pain can indicate a deeper problem. Causes of extreme tooth pain may include:

  • An abscess or infection
  • Dental decay reaching the tooth’s nerve
  • A compromised filling or crown

If you’re experiencing pain that doesn’t subside or worsens, it’s important to address it quickly. Dental infections, in particular, can spread and lead to severe health complications if left untreated.

Our urgent care specialists at Your Time Dental are available, even on weekends, to diagnose and treat severe dental pain. We understand how debilitating a toothache can be, and we’re ready to provide relief.

3. Cracked or Broken Tooth

A cracked or broken tooth can range from mild to severe in urgency depending on the extent of the damage:

  • Minor Cracks: May not require immediate attention but should still be evaluated for hidden damage.
  • Major Cracks or Breaks (exposing the inner pulp or causing sharp pain): Require urgent dental care to prevent further complications and sensitivity.

If you accidentally chip or break a tooth, rinse your mouth with warm water and apply a cold compress to reduce swelling. Avoid chewing on that side until you can see a dentist.

Your Time Dental in the greater Tampa area offers walk-in appointments and extended Friday hours, so you never have to wait long to get help for your damaged tooth.

Get Emergency Dental Care in Gibsonton

Tooth injuries vary in severity, but when in doubt, it’s better to err on the side of caution and speak to a dental professional. At Your Time Dental, we pride ourselves on being available when you need us most. Whether it’s a knocked-out tooth, extreme toothache, or a cracked tooth, Dr. Rick Kernagis and our dedicated team are here to provide the care you need.

Because dental emergencies don’t follow a 9-to-5 schedule, our office is open with extended hours and available for same-day appointments. Contact us immediately if you’re dealing with a dental emergency or have questions about your injury.

Call us today or walk right in for urgent dental care!

Contact Your Time Dental Urgent Care:

LOCATIONS: (TAP TO OPEN IN GOOGLE MAPS):

SOUTH SHORE – GIBSONTON

13145 Kings Lake Drive Ste 105B Gibsonton, FL 33534 Call: 813-519-0128

FISHHAWK – LITHIA

5486 Lithia Pinecrest Rd, Ste B Lithia, FL 33547 Call: 813-519-0128

Feb7

How Sedation Dentistry Can Help You Conquer Your Fear of the Dentist in Gibsonton, FL

Categories: Dental Health, Emergency Dentist, Restorative Dentistry

anxious patient undergoing sedation dentistry to easy anxietyDoes the thought of sitting in a dental chair make your heart race? You’re far from alone. Many people experience dental anxiety or a fear of dentists that keeps them from seeking out vital dental care. The good news? Sedation dentistry offers a safe and effective solution that can eliminate your fears, ensuring you get the care you need for a healthy smile. At Your Time Dental in Gibsonton, FL (serving the communities of Apollo Beach and Riverview), we specialize in providing a calm and comfortable dental experience.

Understanding Sedation Dentistry

Sedation dentistry involves the use of medication to help patients relax during dental procedures. It’s specifically designed for people who experience anxiety, have a strong gag reflex, or require extensive dental work. At Your Time Dental, we offer several options tailored to meet the diverse needs of our patients:

  • Oral Conscious Sedation: This option involves taking a prescribed medication shortly before your appointment. You’ll remain awake but deeply relaxed throughout the procedure. Many patients feel as though time flies during their visit.
  • Laughing Gas (Nitrous Oxide): A mild form of sedation, laughing gas helps you relax in real-time, and its effects wear off quickly, meaning you can get back to your day immediately after.
  • IV Sedation: For those with severe dental anxiety, IV sedation provides a deeper level of relaxation while still allowing you to stay conscious. This type of sedation is administered by a trained professional to ensure your safety.

The Benefits of Sedation Dentistry

If dental anxiety has kept you out of the dentist’s chair for years, sedation dentistry can be life-changing. Here’s how it helps:

1. Soothe Anxiety Instantly

With sedation, you’ll feel calm and relaxed within moments of treatment beginning (or even before, depending on the method you choose). Worries about the sound of drills or discomfort fade into the background, helping you focus on reclaiming your dental health.

2. Pain-Free Procedures

Many people avoid the dentist because they associate it with pain. Sedation dentistry eliminates pain and dulls sensitivity, making even invasive procedures feel completely manageable.

3. Longer Appointments Made Easy

If you need multiple treatments, you may feel overwhelmed by the thought of longer procedures. Sedation dentistry helps you feel comfortable, allowing your dentist to accomplish more in one visit. This reduces the total number of appointments needed.

4. Feel in Control

Sedation methods like oral conscious sedation and laughing gas keep you conscious but relaxed during treatment. You’ll be aware enough to communicate with your dentist if needed, which helps many patients feel more in control of the situation.

Why Choose Your Time Dental?

At Your Time Dental, we understand how real dental anxiety is—and we’re here to help. Whether you’re a resident of Gibsonton, Apollo Beach, or Riverview, our compassionate team is trained to meet your unique needs. From the moment you walk in, you’ll be treated with care and understanding, never judgment. We customize every sedation option to ensure you feel safe and supported during your visit.

Take the First Step Toward Fear-Free Dental Care

Don’t let dental anxiety prevent you from enjoying a healthy, confident smile. At Your Time Dental, sedation dentistry is a game-changer for patients who’ve avoided the dentist for far too long. Call us today or book your appointment online to learn more about our sedation options and how we can help you conquer your fear of the dentist—once and for all.

Your Time Dental—where your comfort is our priority.

Contact Your Time Dental Urgent Care:

LOCATIONS: (TAP TO OPEN IN GOOGLE MAPS):

SOUTH SHORE – GIBSONTON

13145 Kings Lake Drive Ste 105B Gibsonton, FL 33534 Call: 813-519-0128

FISHHAWK – LITHIA

5486 Lithia Pinecrest Rd, Ste B Lithia, FL 33547 Call: 813-519-0128

Jan10

How Urgent Dental Care Can Save Your Chipped Tooth

Categories: Dental Emergency, Emergency Dentist, Restorative Dentistry

man in a purple shirt suffering from jaw pain holding up a piece of a chipped tooth in his right handA chipped tooth often happens when you least expect it—a sudden fall, biting into something too hard, or an unfortunate accident during sports. While it might not seem like a big deal at first glance, ignoring a chipped tooth can lead to pain, sensitivity, and even more significant damage. Fortunately, urgent dental care can help you address the issue quickly and preserve your smile.

If you’re in Gibsonton, FL, Dr. Kernagis at Your Time Dental offers convenient emergency dental care, ensuring you get the help you need without delay.

Why Is Treating a Chipped Tooth Urgently Important?

When a tooth is chipped, the enamel—the tooth’s outer protective layer—gets damaged. Without this protection, the sensitive inner layers, such as dentin and pulp, are exposed to bacteria, heat, and pressure. This can lead to:

  • Pain and Sensitivity: Exposed nerves may cause discomfort when you eat, drink, or touch the area.
  • Further Damage: A small chip can turn into a larger crack if left untreated, risking deeper structural issues.
  • Potential Infection: Bacteria can enter through the damaged tooth, leading to infections or abscesses.

Seeking urgent dental care not only relieves immediate discomfort but also prevents long-term complications.

How Emergency Dental Care Fixes a Chipped Tooth

At Your Time Dental in Gibsonton, FL, Dr. Kernagis specializes in providing effective and convenient emergency dental care. Here’s what you can expect when you visit for a chipped tooth:

1. Quick Assessment and Diagnosis

Dr. Kernagis will first examine your tooth to assess the extent of the damage. This may involve an X-ray to check for deeper cracks or internal issues.

2. Treatment Options

Depending on the severity of the chip, several treatment methods may be recommended:

  • Dental Bonding: For minor chips, a tooth-colored resin can be applied and shaped to restore your tooth’s appearance and function.
  • Dental Veneers: For larger chips that affect the front teeth, a veneer may be used to cover the damage and enhance your smile.
  • Dental Crown: If the damage is significant, a crown may be placed over the tooth to strengthen and protect it.
  • Root Canal and Crown (if necessary): For chips that expose the pulp or cause infection, a root canal may be required before a crown can be placed.

3. Immediate Pain Relief

Dr. Kernagis’s approach to emergency dentistry includes prioritizing your comfort and ensuring minimal pain during the restoration process.

Don’t Wait—Your Smile Deserves Immediate Care

Ignoring a chipped tooth might lead to further dental issues, but with Dr. Kernagis and the team at Your Time Dental, you don’t have to wait to get the care you need. Offering flexible hours and expert emergency treatment, Your Time Dental ensures your smile is back to its best in no time.

If you have a chipped tooth or another dental emergency in Gibsonton, FL, contact us today to schedule an urgent appointment. Protect your smile—your time (and teeth) matter.

Contact Your Time Dental Urgent Care:

LOCATIONS: (TAP TO OPEN IN GOOGLE MAPS):

SOUTH SHORE – GIBSONTON

13145 Kings Lake Drive Ste 105B Gibsonton, FL 33534 Call: 813-519-0128

FISHHAWK – LITHIA

5486 Lithia Pinecrest Rd, Ste B Lithia, FL 33547 Call: 813-519-0128

Nov29

Modern Dentistry In Gibsonton

Categories: Dental Health, Emergency Dentist, General Dentistry

tooth brush with white toothpaste

Hi, my name is Dr. Richard Kernagis. My team and I at Your Time Dental Urgent Care have been providing excellent dental care for our patients in Florida since 2001.

One of the vital habits of good oral health is daily tooth brushing with an effective toothpaste. There is a wide variety of toothpastes available. I recommend you use one with fluoride and make sure it has the ADA seal. This ensures that the toothpaste has been tested, claims are being met, and the ingredients are correct.

Just because a toothpaste claims to have a ‘whitener’ doesn’t mean it has fluoride.

Toothpaste as we know it has only been in existence since the late 1800s. Fluoride was added in 1914. The earliest evidence of toothpaste or dental cream dates back to 3000-5000 BC. The Ancient Egyptians pulverized oxen hooves, egg shells, pumice, myrrh, and water creating one of the earliest forms of toothpaste.

The Greeks and Romans began adding crushed bones and bark to the mix. The taste most likely was hard to take. During this same time the people of China and India were using a similar paste, but adding flavorings, like Ginseng and herbal mints making it a bit more palatable.

Tampa toothpaste users have no excuse for not brushing their teeth daily with the toothpaste we have available today.

The experienced staff at Your Time Dental Urgent Care want to help all Florida smiles be whiter and brighter. Contact us today at 813-519-0128 so we can answer any questions you may have about tooth whitening, invisible braces, or cosmetic dentistry. Your Time Dental Urgent Care provides emergency same-day dental care, emergency dental care, weekend dental care, and sedation dentistry.

Contact Your Time Dental Urgent Care:

LOCATIONS: (TAP TO OPEN IN GOOGLE MAPS):

SOUTH SHORE – GIBSONTON

13145 Kings Lake Drive Ste 105B Gibsonton, FL 33534 Call: 813-519-0128

FISHHAWK – LITHIA

5486 Lithia Pinecrest Rd, Ste B Lithia, FL 33547 Call: 813-519-0128