Blog

Sep6

When Something’s Gotta Give in Gibsonton, Don’t Let It Be Your Smile

Life is hectic for many Gibsonton residents. At times, it’s impossible to get all the “gotta do’s” done, and many are postponed or dropped altogether.

Sometimes your car has to wait another 500 miles for an oil change. Or you are a month late replacing your furnace filter. Or you realize that you’ve had a leaky faucet for as long as you can remember.

Many important things get put on the back burner, but Your Time Dental urges you not to disregard essential dental care.

Here are some typical dental care shortcuts. Are you guilty of any of them?

Rushing Through Brushing

Your teeth deserve a conscientious two minutes or more. Slow and methodical beats quick and dirty. Use a system to make sure you get every tooth. Playing one of your favorite two- or three-minute songs may help you go the distance.

Only Seeing Your Dentist When You Have a Toothache

We hope none of our patients put off examinations and cleanings. When you feel tooth pain, it may be way too late to prevent a filling or even a root canal.

Neglecting Professional Cleanings

When softer plaque turns to calculus, you can’t clean it away with a toothbrush. Six-month cleanings help get rid of the calculus or tartar before it can hurt your enamel or irritate your gums.

Using Floss Picks Instead of Dental Floss

While it’s better to floss with a floss pick than to not floss at all, it’s important to understand that floss picks can only clean a part of the tooth’s surface. A floss pick holds just a small length of floss stretched in a straight line. Looking down, a tooth is shaped somewhat round or oval.

A straight piece of floss just doesn’t make sense geometrically because it doesn’t conform to the contours of the tooth as well as traditional floss. When you wrap a string of floss completely around the circumference of a tooth, you can more thoroughly clean that vital area around and just below the gumline. We have seen patients who are observant floss pick users who developed decay in a very small crack the floss pick missed day after day.

At Your Time Dental Urgent Care, we urge our patients to practice preventative dentistry to safeguard their smiles for life.

Contact Your Time Dental Urgent Care:

LOCATIONS: (TAP TO OPEN IN GOOGLE MAPS):

Aug30

Want A Reason To Smile All The Time in Florida?

Don’t like your teeth? We invite you to consider a smile makeover from Your Time Dental.

1. Look and feel younger.
2. Improve your oral health.
3. Increase your confidence.
4. Smile all the time!

Hello, I am Dr. Kernagis. Welcome to my dental blog. I serve my patients at Your Time Dental Urgent Care, which is located at 13145 Kings Lake Drive Ste 105B in Gibsonton, Florida. I have been practicing general and cosmetic dentistry since 2001.

There are exciting developments in the field of cosmetic dentistry. During my career, I have become proficient in a wide variety of advanced dental treatments aided by breakthroughs in techniques and tooth restoration materials. My passion is providing the highest standard of dental care for my Gibsonton area patients and creating the healthiest and most beautiful smiles possible.

If you are not familiar with the latest innovative dental procedures, you might not realize what cosmetic and restorative dentistry can achieve. A total smile transformation involves a combination of cosmetic dental procedures which may include dental crowns, porcelain veneers, dental bonding, tooth implants, inlays and onlays, gum contouring, teeth whitening and, in some cases, orthodontia.

If you have dental anxiety, we can help. Sleep dentistry, sometimes called conscious sedation, will calm your nerves and help you relax while you undergo your smile transformation.

If you are in the Gibsonton Apollo Beach, Fish Hawk, or Lithia area and have cosmetic dentistry questions, schedule a consultation by calling us at 813-519-0128.

Contact Your Time Dental Urgent Care:

LOCATIONS: (TAP TO OPEN IN GOOGLE MAPS):

Aug23

Preventative Maintenance For Your Irreplaceable Smile

Hi, I’m Dr. Richard Kernagis of Your Time Dental. If you are one of my patients, welcome back. If this is your first visit, I appreciate you stopping by.

My comfortable team and I love taking care of our valued patients in the Gibsonton area.

What is a Deep Dental Cleaning?

During dental deep cleanings, our hygienists thoroughly remove the plaque and tartar above and below the gumline. By scaling and planing, they remove areas where bacteria can easily multiply.

Schedule a Professional Cleaning Today

We are enthusiastic about preventative dentistry to keep your smile healthy and beautiful. If you are due for a cleaning, schedule today.

An Exam is Not Just to Check for Cavities

After one of our skilled hygienists cleans your teeth, I perform a thorough examination. I check for overall tooth and gum health, the presence of decay, gum pocket depth, bite issues, and signs of oral cancer.

You Could Have a Dental Problem Without Knowing It

Some men and women mistakenly believe that they can skip dental visits if they don’t notice anything out of the ordinary. This attitude is risky. Many dental problems advance silently. When the patient experiences pain, much damage has been done. Gum disease, especially, often progresses unnoticed.

No Dental Insurance? No Problem!

If you don’t have dental insurance, ask us about dental financing options. It is far less pricey to prevent dental problems than to treat them after they have become severe.

Aug16

Want Whiter Teeth?

Teeth whitening has become very popular as an affordable, manageable way to enhance your smile with little effort and no pain.

Your Time Dental Urgent Care can help you understand your options for teeth whitening and the results you may expect from various teeth whitening options.

Over-the-counter whitening systems can give varied effects, with many users not satisfied with over-the-counter teeth whitening products.

Your cosmetic dentist can help you whiten your teeth effectively and attain professional results. If you are ready to try a teeth whitening product, please schedule a teeth whitening consultation.

Our comfortable staff would love to answer any questions you have about general, cosmetic, restorative, or pediatric dental treatment. Here are some of our services:

If you are searching for quality, friendly dental care in the Tampa area, call us here at Your Time Dental Urgent Care. We are currently accepting new patients at our comfortable, state-of-the-art dental office. At Your Time Dental Urgent Care, we are committed to providing superior dental care to our valued patients.

Contact Your Time Dental Urgent Care:

LOCATIONS: (TAP TO OPEN IN GOOGLE MAPS):

Aug9

How Brushing Prevents Gum Disease

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.

Brushing and flossing keeps gums and bones healthy. Your Time Dental is committed to keeping our dental patient’s oral health in pristine condition.

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

The progression of gum disease (gingivitis) goes like this:

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

The good news is that gingivitis can be reversed early.

Call Your Time Dental Urgent Care at 813-519-0128 to schedule a gum disease evaluation at our office in Gibsonton.

Contact Your Time Dental Urgent Care:

LOCATIONS: (TAP TO OPEN IN GOOGLE MAPS):

Jul26

When It’s Better Not To Brush

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!

Contact Your Time Dental Urgent Care:

LOCATIONS: (TAP TO OPEN IN GOOGLE MAPS):

Jul19

Your Time Dental Provides Comprehensive Oral Care

How does your dentist help you stay healthy?

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.

As a full-service dental practice, Your Time Dental provides comprehensive oral health care.

Bad Breath

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.

Contact Your Time Dental Urgent Care:

LOCATIONS: (TAP TO OPEN IN GOOGLE MAPS):

Jul12

Is Grandpa Smiling?

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

Contact Your Time Dental Urgent Care:

LOCATIONS: (TAP TO OPEN IN GOOGLE MAPS):

Jul5

What is Dental Sleep Medicine?

What is dental sleep medicine?

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.

If you have been diagnosed with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea and are interested in OAT, give us a call at the number below.

Contact Your Time Dental Urgent Care:

LOCATIONS: (TAP TO OPEN IN GOOGLE MAPS):

Jun28

Persistent Dry Mouth in Gibsonton, FL?

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.

Contact Your Time Dental Urgent Care:

LOCATIONS: (TAP TO OPEN IN GOOGLE MAPS):

Mon:	8:00am - 6:00pm
Tue:	7:00am - 5:00pm
Wed:	8:00am - 6:00pm
Thu:	7:00am - 5:00pm
Fri:	7:00am - 7:00pm
Sat:	8:00am - 6:00pm
Sun:	8:00am - 6:00pm

Mon:	8:00am - 5:00pm
Tue:	7:00am - 5:00pm
Wed:	8:00am - 6:00pm
Thu:	8:00am - 5:00pm
Fri:	7:00am - 5:00pm
Sat:	8:00am - 6:00pm
Sun:	8:00am - 6:00pm

Rushing Through Brushing

Only Seeing Your Dentist When You Have a Toothache

Neglecting Professional Cleanings

Using Floss Picks Instead of Dental Floss

LOCATIONS: (TAP TO OPEN IN GOOGLE MAPS):

SOUTH SHORE – GIBSONTON

FISHHAWK – LITHIA

LOCATIONS: (TAP TO OPEN IN GOOGLE MAPS):

SOUTH SHORE – GIBSONTON

FISHHAWK – LITHIA

What is a Deep Dental Cleaning?

Schedule a Professional Cleaning Today

An Exam is Not Just to Check for Cavities

You Could Have a Dental Problem Without Knowing It

No Dental Insurance? No Problem!

LOCATIONS: (TAP TO OPEN IN GOOGLE MAPS):

SOUTH SHORE – GIBSONTON

FISHHAWK – LITHIA

LOCATIONS: (TAP TO OPEN IN GOOGLE MAPS):

SOUTH SHORE – GIBSONTON

FISHHAWK – LITHIA

LOCATIONS: (TAP TO OPEN IN GOOGLE MAPS):

SOUTH SHORE – GIBSONTON

FISHHAWK – LITHIA

LOCATIONS: (TAP TO OPEN IN GOOGLE MAPS):

SOUTH SHORE – GIBSONTON

FISHHAWK – LITHIA

How does your dentist help you stay healthy?

Bad Breath

Dry Mouth

Temporomandibular Joint and Muscle Disorder (TMD)

Snoring

Oral Cancer

Teeth Grinding

Sports Protection

LOCATIONS: (TAP TO OPEN IN GOOGLE MAPS):

SOUTH SHORE – GIBSONTON

FISHHAWK – LITHIA

LOCATIONS: (TAP TO OPEN IN GOOGLE MAPS):

SOUTH SHORE – GIBSONTON

FISHHAWK – LITHIA

What is dental sleep medicine?

What is sleep apnea?

How do I know if I have sleep apnea?

How does a sleep apnea dentist treat sleep apnea?

How does an oral appliance work?

Does an oral appliance work as well as a CPAP machine?

What are the advantages of OAT over CPAP?

LOCATIONS: (TAP TO OPEN IN GOOGLE MAPS):

SOUTH SHORE – GIBSONTON

FISHHAWK – LITHIA

LOCATIONS: (TAP TO OPEN IN GOOGLE MAPS):

SOUTH SHORE – GIBSONTON

FISHHAWK – LITHIA

TEXT OUR OFFICE