Dental Health

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.

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

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.

Be sure to check our website at https://www.yourtimedentalurgentcare.com for more details on Dr. Kernagis’s services. Thanks for visiting our blog.

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

“How can I overcome anxiety about visiting the dentist?”

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.

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

Today’s post focuses on missing teeth and bone health.

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.

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

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.

What should you expect after wisdom teeth extraction?

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.

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

Is it time to get your life back in order, Gibsonton?

Call it a Hard Reset.

Call it Tackling the Gotta-Do’s.

Refill that prescription, replace the furnace filter, get the oil changed or…

…make a dental appointment.

Take Care of Your Oral Health

If you’ve been pushing dental work to the back burner, it’s time to get it out of the way.

Determine your dental needs and create a straightforward plan.

Our dental team provides singular service to our valued patients in Gibsonton, Florida.

At your consultation, ask us about veneers, implants, invisible braces, white fillings, and all things dental.

We answer dental questions all day long (it’s our job!). Drs. Kernagis knows how to clearly explain the pros and cons related to various treatment plans.

We Offer Extended Hours For Our Busy Patients

With extended weeknight and weekend hours, we make it convenient to take care of your oral health needs.

Urgent Care, General, and Specialty Dental Services

Yes, we’re an urgent care practice. But we provide non-urgent general and specialty dental care as well.

Since 2001, Gibsonton patients have trusted Your Time Dental Urgent Care to provide emergency same-day dental care and sedation dentistry.

Move through your to-do list today—change your oil, check. Replace that lightbulb, check. Make a dental appointment, check. Let’s do this!

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