Jul17

Tooth Problem? Time is of the Essence.

Categories: Dental Emergency, Dental Health, General Dentistry

urgent dental clinic Gibsonton

Dental emergencies span the urgency spectrum from “Get me to an urgent care dentist now!” to “This toothache can wait until the Monday if I take enough Advil” to “I will fix that chipped tooth when I get dental insurance.”

It’s vital to understand, however, that just because a tooth problem can wait until next week, it doesn’t mean you should delay it for months.

A cautionary tale of a patient who delayed treatment for a cracked tooth

We’ll call her Diane. Diane chipped a tooth while trying to crack a shelled almond with her teeth. (Not recommended, for obvious reasons.) The tooth didn’t hurt so Diane didn’t make an appointment to get it corrected. She planned to have it looked at. But because she had a good measure of apprehension about dental treatment, she kept postponing making an appointment. It didn’t show when she looked in the mirror and she eventually forgot about it.

What you don’t know about CAN hurt you

As the months went by, a cavity formed down in the crack. It slowly and steadily drilled through the enamel. One day–bam!-it made it to the root.

This is where the nerves are located so Diane was rapidly and painfully reminded of the crack. Unfortunately, at this point, a root canal was the only treatment option.

What if Diane would have taken care of the crack right after it happened?

She could have gotten an inexpensive white filling in one visit at Your Time Dental Urgent Care. Modern white fillings are strong and inconspicuous. A minimally invasive filling at Your Time Dental Urgent Care leaves you with more of nature’s prime dental material—your own enamel and dentin. We can also replace old amalgam fillings with white fillings. This makes your teeth look a lot better every time you open your mouth.

If you have a crack or chip in a tooth, let’s talk about possible restoration procedures. Don’t wait another day.

Contact Your Time Dental Urgent Care:

813-519-0128

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

13145 Kings Lake Drive Ste 105B
Gibsonton, Florida
33534

 

ArticleID 8355
Jul10

If Only I Had Taken Care Of My Teeth…

Categories: Dental Emergency, Dental Health, Restorative Dentistry

caring dentist Gibsonton

Brush. Floss. Get regular checkups. Get prompt attention when you have a dental emergency.

It sounds simple, but it’s vitally important if you want to keep your teeth healthy.

How many times have you said, ‘If only!’ ‘If only I had changed my oil,’ ‘If only I had stayed in college,’ ‘If only I had worn sunscreen.’

We hope you don’t ever say, ‘If only I had taken care of that tooth problem!’

Perhaps you cracked a tooth a while back. Maybe an old filling fell out.

At Your Time Dental Urgent Care, we are enthusiastic about helping patients establish and maintain dental health. We help all of our patients feel relaxed and comfortable in a friendly, non-judgmental atmosphere.

We have treated countless Gibsonton area patients who avoided the dentist in years past but have recommitted themselves to healthy oral habits. We can promise you that your overall physical health and happiness will be enhanced if you start taking care of your teeth today.

We have a comprehensive menu of effective treatments for any dental dilemmas you currently have: decay, stained teeth, cracked teeth, gum disease, broken crowns, old unsightly fillings, and even missing teeth.

Professional dental treatment is a key investment in your most precious possession—your health.

If you are worried about the cost of dental treatment, speak with us about financing. If you need extensive dental work, we can design a treatment plan to get the work done over time and schedule it to fit your budget.

Whatever concerns have kept you from seeing a dentist—fear, finances, or the fact that you are just too busy—we hope you will recommit to your smile. We are here to help.

We make patients feel comfortable

 

Contact Your Time Dental Urgent Care:

813-519-0128

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

13145 Kings Lake Drive Ste 105B
Gibsonton, Florida
33534

 

ArticleID 6686
Jul3

My Tooth is Bleeding or Chipped! What Do I Do?

Categories: Cosmetic Dentistry, Dental Emergency, Restorative Dentistry

broken tooth treatment Gibsonton

Unfortunately, a broken or fractured tooth is not something that will simply heal on its own. As soon as you notice a broken tooth, call Your Time Dental Urgent Care promptly.

Things you can do at home for a broken tooth

There are a couple of things you can do in preparation for a dental procedure for a broken tooth:

  1. Rinse your mouth with warm saltwater.
  2. Take an over-the-counter pain reliever, like acetaminophen.
  3. A broken tooth can have sharp edges. To safeguard your mouth from the sharp edges of your tooth, cover the broken tooth with something soft like wax or chewing gum.
  4. While nursing your mouth, eat softer foods, and try to avoid chewing on your broken tooth.

Call us and explain your situation if you continue to withstand:

  • erratic pain when chewing;
  • pain when exposed to extreme temperatures;
  • or intense pain that comes and goes with pressure;

Don’t ignore broken dental work

What if you experience a broken dental crown, bridge, or veneer?  Without the restoration, the tooth is vulnerable to additional damage. At Your Time Dental Urgent Care, we administer beautiful same-day restorations. A broken artificial tooth shouldn’t be ignored.

Urgent care dental practices accommodate nervous patients

If you need treatment but hesitate because of dental anxiety, talk to us about sedation dentistry. We have several methods to help you through the treatment.

Our mouth and teeth work hard day after day. It’s no surprise that a tooth is occasionally damaged. Don’t let a cracked or broken tooth get worse and cause additional oral complications.

 

Contact Your Time Dental Urgent Care:

813-519-0128

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

13145 Kings Lake Drive Ste 105B
Gibsonton, Florida
33534

 

ArticleID 8348
Jun26

Unexplained Pain and Swelling in Your Mouth?

Categories: Cosmetic Dentistry, Dental Emergency, Dental Health

swollen gums treatment Gibsonton

Some dental problems need prompt attention–a knocked-out tooth, for example. Other times, it’s not exactly clear if the condition is a dental emergency.

Is unexplained pain or swelling a dental emergency?

Such is the case with painful swelling in the gums. Should you ignore it? Will it go away?

Let’s review the possible causes of swollen gums.

It might be due to gingivitis.

Gingivitis can result in swollen gums. Gingivitis is a mild form of gum disease. If your swollen gums are caused by gingivitis, they may bleed easily. If this oral ailment is not treated it can lead to periodontitis. With this condition, your gums become loose and separate from the teeth. If plaque builds up in the pockets, the gums can start loosening. It eventually becomes infected. The infection can spread to the bone supporting the tooth.

If you let gum disease go untreated, you can lose teeth that are cavity-free!

The progression of gingivitis to tooth loss goes like this:

  1. Plaque build-up irritates gums
  2. Irritated gums recede from the tooth
  3. Bacteria multiply in the spaces between the gum and tooth
  4. The bone holding the tooth is eaten by the bacteria
  5. Say goodbye to the tooth

What if the swelling is not due to gingivitis?

Allergies, infections, and the common cold can irritate gums. When sinus tissues become swollen and infected, it can impact the teeth and gums.

Is a mouth sore causing the swelling?

A mouth sore can cause swelling and pain. Mouth sores have various causes including an infection or virus. White patches in the mouth can indicate thrush (an oral yeast infection). All of these conditions can be addressed—but you need to see your dentist. An urgent care dentist is a great choice for a painful mouth sore because they have extended hours. Some offer weekend appointments.

It could be an abscess.

Swollen gums can also be caused by an abscess. An abscess is an infected pocket of pus in a tooth and/or the surrounding bone and tissue. The most common type of oral abscess initiates in the pulp of the tooth and is commonly caused by tooth decay. If left untreated, this can actually destroy the bone around the tooth and cause serious discomfort.

Are these problems considered dental emergencies?

Early-stage gingivitis is not a dental emergency. A mouth sore may or may not be a dental emergency. A tooth abscess most definitely is a dental emergency.

Regardless of the issue, at Your Time Dental Urgent Care, we can treat all of these conditions at your convenience. Give us a call.

Contact Your Time Dental Urgent Care:

813-519-0128

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

13145 Kings Lake Drive Ste 105B
Gibsonton, Florida
33534

 

ArticleID 8335
Jun19

Need to Fix a Tooth? Your Time Dental Urgent Care Gives You Options

Categories: Cosmetic Dentistry, Dental Emergency, Restorative Dentistry

tooth implants Gibsonton

There is more than one way to fix a tooth. If you are the fortunate owner of perfectly healthy teeth, you may never need any of these procedures. However, if you are like most Gibsonton residents, you will need to restore a tooth eventually.

If your tooth issue is due to a dental emergency, our team will provide prompt care.

Today’s post looks at six restoration procedures that are used routinely to repair a damaged tooth:

1. Dental Bonding

Bonding, officially called direct composite veneers, is used to fix chips, cracks, stains, and make teeth longer. It is also sometimes used to fill cavities. A skilled cosmetic dentist applies the pliable composite resin and molds it to the exact shape required. The resin is then hardened with a special curing light.

2. A Porcelain Veneer

These wafer-thin covers can hide a chip or crack or repair the alignment of a tooth that is slightly crooked.

3. A Filling (Inlay or Onlay)

A traditional filling is shaped and molded after it is applied to the tooth. Because inlays and onlays are created in a dental lab, they are typically called indirect fillings. Inlays are applied to just the center of the biting surface of a tooth (not to a cusp or point) and are often smaller than onlays. An onlay restores one or more cusps of a tooth. If you have old silver amalgam fillings, you can replace them with white fillings.

4. A Dental Crown

A crown replaces the entire visible portion of the tooth, restoring appearance, strength, and function. Crowns are used for teeth that have had a root canal, teeth with extensive decay, the replacement tooth in a dental bridge, and the visible portion of a tooth implant. Crowns can be made of all metal (such as gold), porcelain-fused-to-metal, all ceramic, or all resin.

5. Dental Implants

A dental implant is often an optimal restoration for a tooth that has been extracted. It restores the entire tooth—both root and crown. Most dental implant recipients report that the implant is indistinguishable from a natural tooth. Dental implants are used in a variety of applications such as anchoring dentures and dental bridges.

 

Contact Your Time Dental Urgent Care:

813-519-0128

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

13145 Kings Lake Drive Ste 105B
Gibsonton, Florida
33534

 

ArticleID 8323
Jun12

3 Ways Mouthguards Prevent Kids’ Sports Injuries

Categories: Dental Emergency, Dental Health, General Dentistry

sports mouthguards for kids

At Your Time Dental Urgent Care, we treat dental emergencies caused by sports injuries. These include knocked-out teeth, broken teeth, and mouth lacerations.

Many of these injuries could have been prevented (or rendered less severe) with the proper protective gear.

All athletes who participate in contact sports are at risk of injuries to their mouths and teeth. It doesn’t matter if you are a professional athlete or a 6-year-old playing youth soccer.

When it comes to protecting your mouth, a protective mouthguard is a vital piece of athletic gear that should be used from an early age.

What age group has the most injuries?

8- to 12-year-old kids who participate in basketball, hockey, baseball, soccer, rugby, football, and lacrosse are typically most affected by lost or damaged teeth. But even those that participate in non-contact sports like skateboarding, mountain biking, or climbing can benefit from wearing a protective mouthguard.

Mouthguards are made of strong, flexible materials that are designed to protect your teeth, gum, and jaw in case of an impact. A mouthguard forms a protective layer between your teeth and the point of impact. The following are three critical ways a mouthguard can safeguard you while playing sports.

Absorb Force

Any impact to the face or jaw involves force or energy. A mouthguard absorbs some of the energy, ensuring that the potential harm caused by the impact is limited. The cushioning effect of a mouthguard can prevent your teeth from being slammed together. By absorbing force, mouthguards can also help prohibit jaw fractures and neck trauma.

Prevent Broken Teeth

Another benefit of using a mouthguard is that it disperses the energy directed at the teeth. For example, if you are hit in the mouth with a hockey stick, the mouthguard spreads out the energy that accompanies the impact. This can prevent broken teeth by minimizing the likelihood that a single tooth will take the complete brunt of the force.

Avoid Lip and Tongue Injuries

Mouthguards cover the upper teeth entirely. This creates a functional barrier between your teeth and the rest of your mouth. This decreases the chance of lip and tongue injuries by making it more difficult for your teeth to cut your lip or your tongue.

With a customized mouthguard, you will make sure you get an effective and comfortable fit. It makes playing sports safer for your smile.

Contact Your Time Dental Urgent Care:

813-519-0128

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

13145 Kings Lake Drive Ste 105B
Gibsonton, Florida
33534

 

ArticleID 8325
Jun5

Emergency Dental Care for Tooth Injuries in Gibsonton

Categories: Dental Emergency, General Dentistry

urgent dental clinic Gibsonton

Trauma to the face and teeth can be caused by many accidents. Accidents to the teeth often transpire during sports competitions, outdoor recreation, and auto accidents. They can also happen in non-traumatic situations such as when you bite down hard on an unpopped popcorn kernel or peach pit.

It is helpful to know if emergency dental care is required after an injury to the mouth or face. This will ensure your family members’ teeth are taken care of. Knowing these guidelines could save you an expensive trip to the emergency room.

Tooth pain

Any time you have extensive tooth pain due to the injury you should call for an emergency appointment. Pain can indicate underlying damage and needs to be attended to immediately.

A misaligned or loose tooth

A tooth that is loose or misaligned must be dealt with urgently. The dentist can use a splinting method to stabilize or realign the tooth. This allows time for the tooth and surrounding tissue and bone to heal and become firmly-rooted again.

Knocked-out Tooth

A knocked-out tooth is an emergency that requires instant attention. If the tooth (and patient) is taken to the dentist very quickly it can often be reinserted and saved. This requires quick action. You should hold the tooth from the crown and avoid any roots. The tooth must be cleaned gently. Then the tooth should be reinserted and held carefully in the socket.

At Your Time Dental Urgent Care, we treat the dental problems discussed here plus:

  • Lost filling
  • Cracked tooth
  • Broken crown
  • Abscess

We also serve you with a wide range of general and specialty dental services. These include root canals and CEREC same-day restorations.

Contact Your Time Dental Urgent Care:

813-519-0128

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

13145 Kings Lake Drive Ste 105B
Gibsonton, Florida
33534

 

ArticleID 8310
May29

A Root Canal Doesn’t Just Save a Tooth

Categories: Dental Emergency, Dental Health, Restorative Dentistry

urgent dental clinic Gibsonton

Do you have an aching tooth? Does it hurt to bite down? Does it throb and keep you up at night?

Don’t give up on it just yet

When a patient comes into Your Time Dental Urgent Care with long-time toothache, they are often desperate. “Just pull it!” They don’t want to withstand the pain any longer. They have written off the tooth and have recognized the reality that they will lose it.

Extraction isn’t the only option

When a tooth starts aching, we are reminded that there a nerves deep down in each tooth. When you feel pain, you know that something is wrong.

Veins, arteries, lymph vessels, and nerves live below the enamel and dentin in the pulp of the tooth. When the blood flow is diminished or cut off, the tooth eventually dies. Injury, trauma, or infection can cause this.

When the pulp of the tooth can’t be saved, there are generally two options; extraction or a root canal.

What is a root canal?

During a root canal procedure, the nerve and pulp of the tooth are removed. Once the roots are cleaned out and widened, they are filled with a special rubber material.

The root canal procedure is only the first step in the complete tooth restoration. The final steps are the core build-up and crown, which is the part you see above the gum line.

Why not just pull the tooth?

Now we will answer the question posed in the title. Even when a tooth is dead, the fact that the tooth is embedded in the jaw bone serves a purpose. Normal mouth function stimulates the jaw bone. When you talk, eat, and otherwise move your jaw, the tooth root puts pressure on the jaw bone. This helps keep the jaw bone healthy.

When a tooth is removed, the bone shrinks and recedes. As if it knows it isn’t needed at the site anymore. Jaw bone recession eventually alters the shape of the face. Multiple extractions cause a “sunk-in” look. If you’ve ever met a person that has had no teeth for many years, it may appear that their upper face and lower jaw are closing in together. This is because their jaw bone has receded and shrunk.

If you have a painful tooth, come see us at Your Time Dental Urgent Care. Root canal therapy may be a good option to end the pain and preserve the shape of your face.

 

Contact Your Time Dental Urgent Care:

813-519-0128

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

13145 Kings Lake Drive Ste 105B
Gibsonton, Florida
33534

 

ArticleID 8304
May22

Urgent Care Dentist vs. Cosmetic Dentist

Categories: Cosmetic Dentistry, Dental Emergency, Restorative Dentistry

replace broken dental crown Gibsonton

Today’s message is for anyone who has a broken dental crown. First off, you REALLY need to have it replaced. That said, you may be wondering which kind of dentist should replace it.

We advise that you contact the dentist who placed the crown. If you have moved or don’t remember where you got it, we invite you to consider Your Time Dental Urgent Care.

Why an urgent care dentist instead of a cosmetic dentist?

Urgent care dentists treat dental emergencies. But a dental emergency rarely requires only one procedure. Most use a cosmetic restoration once the initial problem is addressed. For example, a knocked-out tooth, a broken tooth, a chipped tooth, and most root canals all require restoration as the final step.

An urgent care specialist is a dental jack-of-all-trades.

Urgent care dentists serve you with restorative, general, and cosmetic dentistry. In other words, an urgent care dentist has extensive experience with cosmetic procedures. Some even perform dental implants.

What do you do when your dental crown breaks or comes off?

Don’t swallow it! Carefully take it out of your mouth. If you accidentally swallow it, you will have some extra dilemmas we won’t discuss in this article.

Call Your Time Dental Urgent Care. We will schedule you an appointment promptly and counsel you on whether you should use temporary cement to re-attach the crown. Your tooth is weakened, so abstain from substances that are chewy, sticky, or crunchy.

The dental professionals at Your Time Dental Urgent Care have been replacing dental crowns since 2001. If you have a broken crown, give us a call.

Contact Your Time Dental Urgent Care:

813-519-0128

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

13145 Kings Lake Drive Ste 105B
Gibsonton, Florida
33534

 

ArticleID 8297
May15

Can I Ignore a Cracked Tooth if it Doesn’t Hurt?

Categories: Cosmetic Dentistry, Dental Emergency, Restorative Dentistry

cracked tooth repair Gibsonton

You have probably heard that dental enamel is the hardest substance in the body.

Does that mean if you chip your tooth it’s okay to disregard it? If it doesn’t hurt, the crack must be superficial, right?

Actually, no.

It’s vital to fix a fractured tooth immediately

Let’s discuss why.

The most important reason is that you can probably save the tooth if you act fast.

Protect the tooth from decay

Regardless of the size of the crack, the tooth has been weakened.

This means it is more susceptible to decay. If the underlying tooth matter starts decaying, it will eventually reach the root.

Avoid a root canal

Not only will it be painful, but it could also require a root canal. Root canals are more expensive than treatment to correct a crack in a tooth with no decay. When you get a root canal, you pay for the surgery and the crown.

There are other reasons to fix a cracked tooth that are less serious but still something to consider.

You may start chewing differently and experience head or jaw aches. The cracked tooth may damage adjacent or opposing teeth. This can happen slowly over time without your awareness. In a few months, you may discover damage to the enamel of another tooth.

Your Time Dental Urgent Care can fix it quickly and easily

Fixing a cracked tooth doesn’t take a long time. Schedule an appointment and we may be able to correct your cracked tooth in one dental visit.

At Your Time Dental Urgent Care, we accommodate your schedule. If necessary, we stay open later on normal business days. We also take weekend appointments for emergencies.

Is a cracked tooth an emergency? It’s not as pressing as a knocked-out tooth, but you need to have it fixed as soon as possible.

Have you been living with a cracked tooth for a while now? Schedule an appointment and we will repair it for you.

How do you fix a cracked tooth?

It depends on the size of the crack and the extent of the harm.

For a hairline crack in an otherwise healthy tooth, your dentist may recommend dental bonding or filling. Modern fillings use a tooth-colored composite resin. A filling will strengthen the tooth and protect it from further damage.

If the tooth has decay or a large piece broke off, your dentist may recommend a dental cap or crown. For this restoration, the dentist grinds away part of the remaining tooth to prepare it for a tooth-shaped crown. The crown is made to blend seamlessly with your other teeth. As with the filling, it will strengthen and protect against decay.

 

Contact Your Time Dental Urgent Care:

813-519-0128

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

13145 Kings Lake Drive Ste 105B
Gibsonton, Florida
33534

 

ArticleID 8291