Dental Health

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

At Your Time Dental Urgent Care, everything we do is for the welfare of our valued patients. We are passionate about offering quality, compassionate dental care tailored to each patient’s individual needs.

We know that optimum oral health is an essential element of overall physical health and that dentists do more than just “drill and fill.”

As your primary care doctor, your dentist is a vital member of your family’s team of healthcare providers.

What Has Your Time Dental Urgent Care Done Lately?

An urgent care dentist treats dental issues you want to get taken care of immediately. This includes a cracked tooth, a severe toothache, a broken filling, or an abscess.

But we also offer quality general dentistry. And many specialty services as well.

• Diagnosis and treatment of gum disease
• Oral cancer checks
• Diagnosis and treatment of chronic bad breath
• Coordinated care with medical doctors for dental patients with cancer or other chronic conditions
• Guidance on the oral health ramifications of medication side effects
• Custom night guards for individuals who grind their teeth
• Oral conscious sedation, patience, and compassion for patients with dental anxiety
• Specialized care for expectant mothers
• Pediatric dental guidance for new parents
• Referrals to and coordination with trusted specialists for procedures we don’t perform at Your Time Dental Urgent Care
• Custom mouthguards for athletes of all ages
• The teaching of proper dental hygiene
• Diagnosis of bite problems
• Replacement of old amalgam fillings
• Improved confidence for smile transformation recipients
• In-office and at-home teeth whitening
• Dental cleanings that include scaling and root planing for plaque and tartar removal

What Can We Do For You?

The friendly and experienced team at Your Time Dental Urgent Care would love to help you with any of your dental needs, but we can’t help you unless you come in.

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

Gibsonton parents work hard to keep their children healthy. Despite their best efforts, many children develop tooth decay at some point in their childhood.

At Your Time Dental Urgent Care, we treat patients of all ages. Can a cavity be an urgent dental issue? Yes—if it isn’t addressed early.

Let’s talk about the five stages of a cavity.

You may have heard that once tooth enamel is eroded, it’s gone forever. This is partially true, but in the earliest stage of enamel erosion, a cavity can be reversed.

Reverse a cavity before it needs a filling

If you can prohibit cavities in children there’s a better chance that their teeth can stay healthy through adolescence and into adulthood.

This is because the rate of tooth decay declines as youngsters grow.

Let’s discuss the five stages of a cavity.

Stage 1: Attack of the Little White Spots

The tooth begins to show signs of damage. White spots appear. They are under the surface of the enamel, but you can see them from the outside.

Demineralization will lead to these spots. When they occur in children’s molars, it can be easy for parents to miss them. That’s why daily dental hygiene and regular dental exams are crucial.

It this stage, it’s possible to halt a cavity before it needs a filling. Dental hygiene can stop erosion. Fluoride can remineralize the enamel.

Can Stage 1 be reversed? Yes!

Stage 2: Enamel Decay

Did you know that tooth decay begins under the surface of the enamel?

The visible enamel is intact for the first part of Stage 2. Then the hole busts through the surface.

Can Stage 2 be reversed? No…but the tooth can probably be saved.

Stage 3: Going Deeper Into the Dentin

The decay breaks down the enamel and hits the soft dentin layer that lies below. This is an advanced cavity.

The good news?

The decay hasn’t yet reached the pulp. It will, however, start to cause pain.

Can Stage 3 be reversed? No…but maybe the tooth won’t need a root canal.

Stage 4: Ouch! The Decay Hits the Pulp

Hopefully, your son or daughter will never suffer stage 4. This is very painful. The infection has reached the pulp where the nerves are located. Unfortunately, a root canal is the only treatment option. Unless, of course, the tooth is taken out.

Remember, childhood cavities are completely preventable.

Can Stage 4 be reversed? No…and it must be treated with a root canal.

Stage 5: Abscess Distress

The tooth decay (and infection) has traveled through the pulp and out the end. In the final stage, it drills through the tip. Now the infection is in the tissue and bone surrounding the tooth root. The area swells up and it’s very painful.

It’s also grave for anyone’s health. This is a serious infection that can spread to other parts of the body. Abscesses originating in a tooth can be fatal.

Can Stage 5 be reversed? No…and it’s life-threatening.

Protect your son or daughter from decay so they can have a healthy smile for life.

If you see little white dots, schedule an exam and dental cleaning at Your Time Dental Urgent Care.

We hope your son or daughter never has a cavity that destroys a tooth. But if they experience any type of dental emergency, call Your Time Dental Urgent Care. In fact, save our number to your phone contacts. Then you’ll be prepared for any dental emergency.

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

“It’s just sore, it will go away.”
“I’m too busy right now, I’ll go to a dentist later.”
“A little sensitivity is no big deal.”

There has been a lot of talk about viral infections lately. In this article, we focus on oral infections.

Your teeth become sensitive to cold liquids. A tooth develops a dull ache. A sore on the gums doesn’t heal up. An injured tooth darkens. A pain commences in your lower sinus area.

This is definitely not one of the conditions where the “ignore it and it will go away” mentality is wise.

The danger of ignoring oral infections

If the pain is the result of an infection, there are risky consequences of postponing treatment. Oral infections can destroy teeth, gums and jawbone and even lead to life-threatening sepsis.

In centuries past, tooth decay-related infection was a leading cause of death.

An oral infection doesn’t always result in pain. Bad breath, fever, swelling in the gums, glands or jaw, or a strange taste in the mouth can indicate the presence of an infection.

If an infection is caught and treated early, there may be no additional problems. However, usually the infection is the result of a dental dilemma that needs to be treated. If the infection is caused by tooth decay, the decay will have to be removed and the tooth filled. If the decay has penetrated to the pulp of the tooth, a root canal may be required.

The infection may be caused by a pocket of undrained pus called an abscess. Pus is a by-product of the immune system’s efforts to fight infection and consists of dead white blood cells.

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 taken care of – but you need to see your dentist.

See your urgent care dentist if you suspect you have an oral infection. Our office is open when others are closed.

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

You would never consider running a red light on a busy Gibsonton street or crossing over a lane of orange construction cones on the freeway, but you might be doing some everyday things that are dicey for your oral health.

I want to share with you some common habits that could be detrimental to the health of your teeth.

Crunching ice between your teeth might be refreshing, but it can be dangerous to the soft tissue inside your mouth. Once this tissue gets irritated, you’re more likely to get toothaches and have increased sensitivity to hot or cold foods.

Participating in your favorite sport without needed mouth protection is a risk that no one should take. If there is a chance that a mouth injury could transpire (and there is with most sports) then get to the nearest sporting goods store and pick up a mouth guard or, better yet, ask me about a custom mouthguard.

Using your teeth to open anything is a bad idea. Every time your teeth come in contact with foreign objects there is potential for chipping and cracking.

Now that you know how to avoid these risks, what can you do if you’ve already damaged your teeth from these activities or similar ones? Make an appointment with our experienced, friendly staff and we’ll correct the problem.

We Treat Dental Emergencies

At Your Time Dental Urgent Care, we treat dental emergencies. As an urgent care dental clinic, we will give you something to relieve the pain. And then we will correct your dental emergency. Toothache, a cracked or chipped tooth, even a knocked-out tooth. We hope you never experience a knocked-out tooth! But we are here for you if you do.

We also provide a wide range of general dental services. These include, veneers, crowns, or teeth whitening.

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

If you are the parent of an adolescent, you may already have some concerns about your child’s well-being. As young men and women progress toward complete independence, some make questionable choices when it comes to health.

We encourage Gibsonton parents to be vigilant about twice-yearly dental exams and cleanings for their teens.

Adolescent Oral Health Risks

You may know Gibsonton teens that skip meals and others that eat ramen noodles for lunch and dinner. Some youth spend more hours on TikTok or Instagram than sleeping.

Braces can hinder proper brushing. Eating disorders such as bulimia can quickly erode enamel and impair a smile.

Dental issues manifesting in the adolescent years can affect teeth for life. Let’s explore some important dental issues for adolescents.

Sports Injuries

Athletics benefit teenagers in a number of ways but, unfortunately, also pose a threat to teeth. Make sure your teen wears a protective custom mouthguard when participating in any activity where a mouth injury can occur.

If your teen participates in sports, it’s good to know where your nearest urgent care dental practice is.

Wisdom Teeth

The third molars usually erupt between late adolescence and the mid-twenties. Common wisdom teeth troubles include bite misalignment, tooth decay, gum disease, and damage to the nearby teeth. It is vital to monitor wisdom teeth and follow the counsel of your dentist.

Eating Disorders

Parents who notice their teen abnormally preoccupied with body image and weight loss should be on the lookout for bulimia and anorexia. These serious disorders should not be ignored. Parents are advised to seek treatment immediately if they discover that their teen is binging and purging or intentionally restricting food.

Oral Health and Orthodontia

Braces can make proper brushing problematic. Toothbrushes and flossing devices that squirt water can help teenagers with braces clean their teeth and gums.

Sugar-Heavy Diet

If you visit any Florida high school during lunch hour, you will see that sugar-laden soda, juice, and energy drinks are becoming a beverage staple. (Perhaps we adults are setting a bad example.) While juice is definitely the healthiest choice of the three, heavy juice consumption can impair enamel just as effectively as a can of Coke. Water is the best drink for teeth as well as calcium-rich milk, which leads us to our next section.

Inadequate Calcium Intake

Some teenagers who drank milk daily as kids curtail their consumption when they start eating meals away from home. This is unfortunate because calcium is just as essential for teenagers as it is for younger children. For strong teeth and bones, encourage your teen to enjoy low-fat dairy products daily.

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

Teeth are alive

Since our teeth don’t “grow” and the enamel is not comprised of living cells, sometimes we forget that teeth are alive. We are reminded that they have active nerves when we have a toothache or sudden sensitivity to hot or cold food.

Like other organs, teeth need a blood supply to stay alive and healthy.

What lies below the enamel?

Veins, arteries, lymph vessels, and nerves live below the enamel and dentin in the pulp of the tooth. When the blood flow is cut off, the tooth eventually dies. What can cause blood flow issues? Injury, trauma, infection, large fillings, and multiple restorations can impact a tooth’s blood supply.

Can you save a dead tooth?

At Your Time Dental Urgent Care, we complete root canal therapy to save a dead tooth if necessary.

During a root canal procedure (or endodontic treatment) the soft tissue in the root of the tooth is removed. Once the roots are cleaned out and widened, they are filled with a special rubber material.

What happens after a root canal?

The root canal is only the first step in the complete tooth restoration. The final steps are the core build-up and the beautiful and functional crown.

Root canals ordinarily last many years, but not always. Inadequate oral hygiene, decay, periodontal disease, an undetected crack, abscess, or degradation of root canal sealing materials can all cause a root canal to fail.

How do you know if you have a dead or dying tooth?

It is important to meet with Drs. Richard Kernagis of Your Time Dental Urgent Care immediately if you experience tenderness or pain, hot or cold sensitivity, tooth discoloration, tooth injury, gum swelling, gum pain, or lymph node tenderness or drainage.

Keep in mind, however, that sometimes there are no noticeable symptoms. That is why it is important to visit your dentist regularly for a thorough dental examination and dental cleaning.

You can count on Your Time Dental Urgent Care for quality care when you need it.

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

When you have an unexpected medical problem in Gibsonton, you have two choices for care. You can go to the E.R. or an urgent care clinic.

The emergency department is for accidents and sudden, severe illnesses. Conditions that are serious, but not life-threatening, can be treated at an urgent care facility.

What about dental emergencies?

Is there a dental practice counterpart for each type of medical facility? In other words, is there a dental emergency room in Gibsonton? How about a dental urgent care clinic?

There is a type of dental practice uniquely equipped to take care of emergency and urgent dental needs.

It’s aptly named an urgent care dental practice.

Urgent care dentists treat emergencies AND serious dental issues

Urgent dental care practices serve both purposes.

When you have an unexpected dental issue, you don’t have to ascertain if it’s urgent or an emergency. Call our office and we’ll advise you on the best course of action. We are open when other dental practices are closed.

What types of conditions are treated at Your Time Dental Urgent Care?

A loose tooth

• If you discover that one of your teeth is suddenly loose, there is something serious going on. You don’t need to call an ambulance–but you do need to see a dentist as soon as possible.

Knocked-out tooth

• If a permanent tooth is knocked out, your dentist may be able to re-implant it. It needs to be done quickly. (Baby teeth should not be re-implanted because it might damage the permanent tooth coming in.)

Hold the tooth by the crown. Don’t touch the root. If the tooth fell on the ground and is dirty, rinse it cautiously with water. Make sure you are wary not to brush off any tissue. If you can, reinsert the tooth into its socket.

It’s vital to keep the tooth from drying out. If you can’t get to our office ASAP, put it in a cup of milk to keep it moist.

If the tooth cannot be saved, you may need the tooth pulled. Permanent dental implants can replace missing teeth. We provide dental implant services.

Oral infections

• An infection can trigger or aggravate a loose tooth. Both gingivitis (gum disease) or tooth decay can lead to an infection. If you have unexplained mouth pain, it could be an infection.

Swollen jaw

• If your jaw starts swelling, and you don’t know why then call us without delay. It could indicate a dangerous infection.

Tooth abscess

• An abscess is a pocket of pus. (There’s no way to sugarcoat it. It’s gross!) Some infections result in an abscess. It can be located inside a tooth or gums. Though it’s less common, it can occur in the jawbone near the tooth root. An abscess can create intense pain. If ignored, this can destroy the bone and eventually cause a lot of pain.

Tooth pain

• All of the troubles discussed here can cause tooth pain. If you come to Your Time Dental Urgent Care with severe tooth pain, we will give you medication to relieve the pain. You won’t have to wait until your medical doctor can call in a prescription.

When should I go to the emergency department at a hospital?

• If you have a laceration in your mouth that’s bleeding heavily, go to the E.R. or urgent care clinic.
• If you suspect that you’ve broken your jaw, that’s another issue for an emergency room physician.

After the medical emergency is treated, come to Your Time Dental Urgent Care if there is a related dental problem.

At Your Time Dental Urgent Care, we treat dental emergencies. In addition, we are a full-service general and cosmetic dental practice.

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