Why should everyone brush at least twice a day? Let’s consider why this is essential.
Brushing and flossing are the best ways to prevent decay.
Brushing with fluoride toothpaste and carefully flossing removes the food from our teeth and prevents the build-up of plaque.
If we let food stay on our teeth, the starches in the food will combine with the plaque. This nasty mixture forms an acid that immediately starts drilling into the enamel to form cavities. Brushing can’t get all the spaces between your teeth, so you’ve got to floss also.
Though thin and partially translucent, tooth enamel is the hardest substance in the body and has the important job of protecting teeth from constant use and the continual assault of chemicals in food and drink. Enamel also protects tooth nerves from hot and cold food and beverages. That’s why enamel loss often causes tooth sensitivity.
Cuts heal. Bruises fade. Broken bones mend. The body’s ability to heal itself is truly amazing. But tooth enamel is different. When it’s gone, it’s gone.
The team at Your Time Dental Urgent Care encourages our patients to shield their tooth enamel for a lifetime of dental health.
This may seem counterintuitive, but sometimes it is better NOT to brush immediately after eating. Specifically, after eating acidic items. The acid weakens the enamel which can be further weakened by brushing. Waiting 60 minutes will allow the acid to dilute. Rinsing immediately after eating acidic foods is helpful, however, because it washes away some food particles and speeds up the dilution of the acid.
Some people don’t realize that dry mouth can cause or exacerbate enamel erosion. The calcium and phosphate in saliva protect your enamel. When there is little saliva, the enamel is left unprotected. Chewing stimulates saliva production but constant snacking is not the answer for dry mouth. Chewing sugar-free gum and sipping water frequently can stimulate saliva production between meals without increasing the risk of or upping your calorie intake.
Additionally, tooth grinding wears enamel away. If you are one of the many Gibsonton residents who grind their teeth at night, it’s critical to get a mouthguard immediately. People who grind their teeth are at a high risk for enamel erosion and the tooth decay that can follow. Athletes should also use a mouthguard to safeguard their teeth on the playing field. For more specifics, communicate with Dr. Richard Kernagis at Your Time Dental Urgent Care about custom mouthguards.
If you sip soda, tea, or coffee all day, we suggest you switch to water to halt any enamel erosion that has already occurred. It may be a hard change to make – but if you are successful – your teeth will thank you for it.
Using teeth as tools can weaken enamel, as well. Take a moment to fetch scissors before tearing a package or ripping duct tape with your teeth. Do you really want to take a chance to chip a tooth just to open a lunchmeat package?
Chewing ice and hard candy can also weaken enamel. If you simply must have sugar, soft candy is best as long as it is not left to sit on teeth for a long period of time. If your molars are packed with gummy candy, it can bring about cavities which erode enamel just as efficiently as chipping it with hard candy. Many of the old-school hard candies we enjoyed as kids now come in soft versions. Enjoy them sparingly because constant sugar is bad for teeth. Period.
If you have already experienced enamel erosion or other dental problems, Dr. Richard Kernagis can help you shield what is left. To schedule a comprehensive examination, contact Your Time Dental Urgent Care in Gibsonton at 813-519-0128!
Most individuals know that they can go to their dentist if they have a tooth or have a toothache. Because of this, they may not realize how many other health problems your dentist can help you with.
Bad breath is usually due to bacteria build-up in the mouth. Perhaps, however, you have offensive breath even though you brush and floss daily. If that’s the case, speak with your dentist. She or he can help you discover the cause of your problem. It could be an infection or a side effect of prescription medications. You need a professional diagnosis and we are here for you.
Dry Mouth
Dry mouth, technically called xerostomia, is caused by a lack of saliva and can be quite uncomfortable. Reduction of saliva flow is a common dilemma, especially among older individuals. However, people of all ages experience the symptoms of dry mouth at one time or another. These symptoms include a dry, red tongue, difficulty swallowing, and persistent sore throat.
Unfortunately, it can bring about a multitude of problems such as tooth decay and gum disease. A lot of men and women experience dry mouth because of medications or medical conditions. Make sure you bring a list of current medications with you to your appointment.
Temporomandibular Joint and Muscle Disorder (TMD)
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the hinge-type joint that allows you to open and close your mouth. If you have pain or clicking in your jaw, you may have TMD. But the first step is diagnosing the cause of the malady. For example, teeth clenching or grinding can cause or exacerbate TMD. Your dentist can tell if you grind your teeth in your sleep. The condition can also be caused or aggravated by injury or arthritis. Some men and women who experience TMD notice flare-ups when they are under a lot of stress. If stress is the only cause, stress-reducing habits can help you prevent it or decrease the severity.
Snoring
Your dentist may treat snoring and OSA. Many dentists in the Gibsonton area provide Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT). With OAT, a custom-made mouthpiece helps keep your airway open throughout the night. If your bed partner tells you that you snore, do him or her a favor and get professional help!
Oral Cancer
Dentists also perform oral cancer checks when they examine a patient. Oral cancer accounts for about three percent of all cancers diagnosed each year in the U.S. This amounts to 53,000 new cases annually. That means thousands of Florida residents receive the grim news every year. Early detection is critical for all types of cancer, but especially so for cancers of the mouth and throat.
Teeth Grinding
Your dentist may also be able to help you with teeth grinding. Nighttime teeth grinding can damage enamel and cause severe headaches. If you suspect that you grind your teeth at night—schedule a consultation and evaluation at Your Time Dental Urgent Care. It’s not just an annoyance, teeth grinding can cause headaches, restricted sleep, and put you at risk of serious cavities and gum recession.
Sports Protection
Your dentist may also create custom sports mouthguards. If you or your child participates in a contact sport, talk to your dentist about a quality, custom-fitted mouthguard.
If you have questions about any of these issues or want to schedule an exam, give us a call today. We look forward to meeting you.
How are Americans doing when it comes to the dental health of the 65+ population?
The Good News:
The rate of decay in the elderly has decreased in the past thirty years.1
The Bad News: 25% of persons age 65+ have no remaining teeth2 Nearly 20% have untreated cavities3 10% of adults 65 and over have moderate to severe periodontal disease. There is evidence to suggest that advanced gum disease is linked to diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and respiratory disease Most older Americans don’t have dental insurance
Clearly, there is room for improvement. What vital circumstances will improve the oral health of age 65+ Americans? The National Institutes of Health cite three necessary components:
Improved oral health education for the elderly
Seniors practicing effective daily oral hygiene
Increased access to dental care
At Your Time Dental Urgent Care in Gibsonton, we are dedicated to providing our elderly patients with comprehensive oral health education and attentive care that addresses the special challenges that affect seniors. These challenges include difficulty brushing and flossing due to arthritis, dry mouth caused by prescription medications, tooth sensitivity, bone recession, and complications due to diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.
We want our elderly patients to not only have a healthy smile, but a beautiful one as well. Many of our senior patients have elected to improve their smiles with services such as crowns, inlays/onlays, dental bonding, porcelain veneers, dental implants, and tooth whitening. The majority of our smile redesign patients are thrilled with their new smile and report that it has improved their lives immensely. They feel happier, more attractive, and more confident in social settings.
The comfortable team at Your Time Dental Urgent Care on Gibsonton provides the full spectrum of general and cosmetic dental care for Gibsonton area patients of all ages including weekend dental care, sedation dentistry, and root canals.
1“Periodontal Disease in Seniors (Age 65 and Over),” National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/DataStatistics/FindDataByTopic/GumDisease/PeriodontaldiseaseSeniors65over.htm, accessed on November 24, 2015
2“Oral Health for Older Americans,” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, http://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/publications/factsheets/adult_oral_health/adult_older.htm, accessed on November 24, 2015
3“Dental Caries and Tooth Loss in Adults in the United States, 2011–2012,” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db197.htm, accessed on November 24, 2015
It’s a relatively new branch of dentistry that treats sleep apnea and other sleep-related breathing problems.
Don’t confuse dental sleep medicine with dental sedation or sleep dentistry. Dental sleep medicine treats sleep apnea. At Your Time Dental, we can determine if dental sleep medicine is right for you.
What is sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea is a malady where you have frequent, intermittent pauses in breathing while sleeping. These pauses can last for up to 60 seconds. They are caused by soft tissue in the back of the throat that relaxes and obstructs the airway. When the brain is not getting enough oxygen it interferes with important physical processes.
There are three different forms of sleep apnea. They are categorized by the cause of the cessation of breathing. Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition where your throat muscles relax. Central sleep apnea occurs when your brain doesn’t send proper signals to control your breathing. The final type is called complex sleep apnea syndrome. This type occurs when someone has a combination of the two previously listed.
How do I know if I have sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea must be diagnosed by a medical doctor. If you have several of the following symptoms, we encourage you to see a doctor who specializes in sleep disorders.
Excessive Daytime Sleepiness
Insomnia
Sleep Deprivation
Excessive Snoring
Episodes of Not Breathing
Mouth Breathing
Dry Mouth/Throat
Fatigue
Frequent Headaches
Irritability
How does a sleep apnea dentist treat sleep apnea?
Dentists use oral appliance therapy to treat obstructive sleep apnea. Patients wear a custom-fitted removable oral appliance at night. The appliance fits somewhat like a sports mouthguard.
How does an oral appliance work?
An oral appliance prevents your airway from collapsing. It either holds the tongue or jaw in a forward position.
Does an oral appliance work as well as a CPAP machine?
It depends on the severity of the condition and other considerations specific to the patient. Many patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea benefit from OAT.
What are the advantages of OAT over CPAP?
Some people find the device more comfortable. It’s smaller and easier to clean than a CPAP system. Patients who suffer from claustrophobia often choose OAT. Patients who move around a lot when they sleep can get twisted up in the CPAP tube. And a small, portable device is easier to travel with.
Many residents in our Gibsonton community experience dry mouth occasionally. Some develop dry mouth in social situations or when they are under a lot of stress. Sporadic or infrequent dry mouth is usually not a serious problem. Constant dry mouth, or xerostomia, is not only irritating, it can lead to acute health problems.
Your saliva plays a key role in maintaining your health. One of its roles is to help digest your food. The moment food enters your mouth, saliva starts breaking it down so your body can metabolize it. If you don’t produce enough saliva to carry out this task your body may not be getting vital nutrients needed to stay healthy. Saliva also functions as a disinfectant by cleansing the mouth of leftover food, bacteria, and fungi. This helps prevent tooth decay and infections. Many Gibsonton residents don’t realize that many of the foods we eat are very acidic and our saliva helps to counteract those acids in our mouths.
I am Richard Kernagis. I recommend cutting back on caffeine in such drinks as cola, coffee, and tea. Not only do these beverages stain and discolor your teeth, but the caffeine can also contribute to a dry mouth. I also recommend drinking water throughout the day to make sure you are adequately hydrated.
Tobacco and alcohol can also contribute to dry mouth. Consult your physician if you are taking medication that is causing your dry mouth. A dry mouth is not a natural part of aging, so call your dentist today and schedule an appointment if your dry mouth is getting worse as you grow older.
At Your Time Dental Urgent Care, one of the most common complaints we hear from Gibsonton dentistry patients is problems with mouth sores.
There are many different kinds of oral lesions that can make eating and talking painful. Some are annoying yet harmless, while other sores are more serious and require medical intervention.
Though not contagious, the most common complaint is canker sores, which affect an estimated eighty percent of the Apollo Beach population. Canker sores can be attributed to stress, tissue irritation, or acidic foods.
Dr. Richard Kernagis can prescribe a topical dental paste to relieve pain and guard against infection. Recurring canker sores can sometimes be a symptom of a larger health problem.
Another common complaint is fever blisters or cold sores, which are contagious fluid-filled blisters. Tampa cold sore sufferers should be aware that they can become infected. At Your Time Dental Urgent Care, we advise our patients on how to treat cold sores and avoid further breakouts.
Fungal infections and oral cancer can cause sores in the mouth and throat. See your Tampa dentist if you experience any of the following:
Lumps or discolored patches in the mouth lasting longer than three weeks Unusually large lesions Multiple sores
Dr. Richard Kernagis reminds patients that eating a well balanced diet, drinking plenty of water, and not smoking can all aid in oral health and hygiene.
To schedule an appointment, or ask about other oral concerns, contact Your Time Dental Urgent Care today at 813-519-0128.
Your Time Dental Urgent Care in Gibsonton provides the full spectrum of general, cosmetic, and pediatric dental services. We offer weekend dental care, sedation dentistry, root canals, dental implants, tooth extractions, and complete smile makeovers.
The following online articles were used as source material for this blog: ‘Mouth Sores,’ American Academy of Otolaryngology, December 2010, http://www.entnet.org/HealthInformation/mouthSores.cfm, accessed on November 29, 2011 ‘Dental Health and Canker Sores,’ WebMD, November 2011, http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/canker-sores, accessed on November 29, 2011
It’s no secret that many Gibsonton residents dread going to the dentist. Whether they associate dental visits with shame, pain, or financial drain, they avoid it at all costs. At Your Time Dental, we make it easy for our patients.
See Your Dentist Regularly to Avoid Painful Oral Problems
However, consider the fact that by seeing your dentist regularly, you can abstain from dental procedures like fillings and root canals.
Though it sounds backwards, the truth is that you protect against dental pain by seeing your dentist regularly–even if you hate dental visits.
Oral Health Improves Your Quality of Life
In today’s post, let’s concentrate on the big picture. We want to make the case that twice-yearly dental visits and following your dentist’s counsel are essential for a high quality of life.
If you have naturally healthy teeth, you may not appreciate your amazing good fortune. After all, you can eat whatever you want. You aren’t uncomfortable with stained, chipped, or missing teeth. Tooth pain doesn’t interrupt your sleep.
Lucky people with great teeth may do fine with very little dental treatment in their twenties and thirties. What we’ve observed, though, is that eventually avoiding exams and cleanings catches up with you.
Do You Have Risk Factors for Oral Problems?
This is especially true for individuals with dental risk factors. These include smoking, recreational drug use, extensive alcohol consumption, poor oral hygiene, teeth grinding, poor eating habits or crooked teeth. Notice that some of these things are a conscious choice, and others, like crooked teeth or teeth grinding may be unavoidable. Regardless, most men and women who forego dental exams and cleanings eventually experience oral conditions.
Gum Disease is The #1 Cause of Tooth Loss in U.S. Adults
The first thing that may come to your mind is tooth decay. While this is an issue for some middle-aged people, it’s actually not the most frequent dental malady. Gum disease earns the dubious honor as the top cause of tooth loss in U.S. adults.
We Welcome Nervous Dental Patients
If you have neglected your dental needs, we invite you to make an appointment at Your Time Dental Urgent Care. After all, our specialty is making dental treatment comfortable for nervous patients or those who are self-conscious about the status of their oral health. If you are looking for compassionate dental care, Your Time Dental Urgent Care is here for you. Oral conscious sedation is perfectly safe and there are several levels of sedation, so you don’t have to be out cold if you don’t want to be.
Let’s Restore Your Dental Health
At Your Time Dental Urgent Care we have so many advanced materials at our disposal to make your smile as beautiful and healthy as it can be. Dental crowns, veneers, implants, teeth whitening, bonding, inlays and onlays, and short-term braces are some of the most popular dentistry procedures in and around Gibsonton.
Dental Care at Your Time Dental Urgent Care is Convenient and Affordable
Many Tampa residents are surprised to find that most of these procedures are more convenient than they supposed and more affordable than they expected.
Meet Dr. Kernagis
I’m Dr. Richard Kernagis of Your Time Dental Urgent Care and I want to help you love dental visits and love your smile. I’ve practiced dentistry since 2001, and I find it especially rewarding when patients find renewed confidence after a smile makeover.
At my Gibsonton practice, we offer emergency dental care, sedation dentistry, and root canals. If you have any questions, the comfortable staff here at Your Time Dental Urgent Care would be happy to answer them and schedule an appointment to see how we can improve your life by improving your dental health.
There are many simple things that a health-conscious person can do to raise their Dental IQ and improve their oral health. At Your Time Dental, we want all our Florida patients to be as informed as possible. One simple lesson involves bacteria, and everyone’s mouth has a lot of it.
But, don’t worry, bacteria per se isn’t the problem. Dental problems occur for patients when the balance of bacteria becomes unhealthy. This is where brushing and flossing come into play. Brush and floss properly each day and you will have a better chance of keeping the appropriate balance.
This is yucky to think aboutbut it’s a good idea to store your toothpaste as far away from the toilet as you can. Also, close the lid of the toilet before you flush.
Make sure to wash your hands before you brush and floss. No exceptions!
When it comes to a good toothbrush, don’t get sentimental. The American Dental Association recommends replacing your toothbrush every three to four months. If you can avoid the unhealthy balance of bacteria in your mouth, you can avoid gum disease, tooth decay, as well as bad breath.
If your teeth are sensitive, avoid rinsing off your teeth after you brush. The fluoride in the toothpaste can help remineralize your enamel. If you go to bed with some toothpaste left on your teeth, it has a chance to go to work.
Today’s message from Your Time Dental focuses on a very serious topic—oral (oropharyngeal) cancers. The medical community distinguishes oral cancers as a subset of head and neck cancers.
Oral cancers can develop in the following locations:
The tongue
The roof of the mouth and under the tongue
The inside of the cheeks
The oropharynx (the part behind the soft palate)
The salivary glands
The lips
Oral Cancers Are Particularly Deadly
Over 50,000 men and women annually are diagnosed with a type of oral cancer. They are more than twice as prevalent in men. There is no disparity when it comes to blacks or whites. Oral cancers claim over 10,000 victims per year.
The statistics reveal that only 57 percent of those diagnosed this year will be alive in five years. Talk about a grim outlook.
Let’s address the common—and the not-so-common—warning signs of oral cancer.
Any sore or lump in the mouth or throat should be taken seriously. Any white or red patch could also be a symptom.
Receiving an oral cancer screening is another reason to visit Your Time Dental Urgent Care twice a year for an exam. Healthcare providers who don’t have the specific training for early onset oral cancer may confuse or fail to recognize early indications.
Here, at Your Time Dental Urgent Care, Dr. Kernagis can tell you if you should be worried or not.
The Cold Sore Connection
Firstly, we know cold sores are not dinner-talk for most individuals. However, did you know that if you have a history of cold sores, you are at an increased risk of receiving oropharyngeal (oral) cancer?
Don’t Ignore These Signs!
You will want to get checked out if you:
Have a lump or thickening in your throat
Have white or red patches on your tongue, tonsils, or lining of your cheeks and gums
Notice numbness of any oral feature
Have any type of lesion, cut, or canker-type sore that doesn’t heal within 14 days
Less common symptoms include tongue pain and loose teeth. A hoarse voice that doesn’t go away should be a concern. Unexplained tooth discoloration is rare but not unheard of.
It’s a misconception to think any of these signs can’t lead to problems.
Early Diagnosis Can Save Your Life
Getting checked for oral (or any) cancer regularly is indispensable for multiple reasons, but it is ultimately necessary because you want to catch it early. So you have the highest chance of survival. While it typically does not start to show symptoms until around age 40, it occurs in younger patients as well.
Smokeless Tobacco
It is also more widespread for those who use smokeless, (chewing or spit) tobacco to get oral cancer. Many individuals argue that these are safer than smoking conventional cigarettes. This may be true when it comes to lung cancer. But you need to think about the of contracting other problems like oral cancer(s), pancreatic cancer, and/or chronic infections that can lead to heart issues later on.
Also, don’t assume vaping is less harmful. Though there is less research on the health risks of vaping, it certainly hasn’t been proven to be risk-free.
Smoking + Alcohol = A Dangerous Combination
While we are referring to tobacco and vaping, we also need to mention alcohol. For many men and women, they go together. Those who both smoke and drink have a 15 times greater chance of developing oral cancer than those who do neither.
Exposure to UV Rays Increases Risk of Lip Cancer
Lip cancer can be considered both an oral cancer and a skin cancer. Most of us have been warned that unprotected sun exposure is detrimental. But many of us forget about the lips when applying sunscreen. Pick up some SPF balm when you buy sunscreen. Don’t forget that eating, drinking and licking your lips can wipe it away. Reapply often. Wear wide-brim hats as protection. Be especially careful between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
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Why should everyone brush at least twice a day? Let’s consider why this is essential.
