Dental Health

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

You’re munching popcorn at the movies and bite down on an unpopped kernel. You hear a noise that makes your toes curl.

Crack!

You’ve cracked a tooth.

Nobody wants the pain and inconvenience of a cracked tooth.

Your Time Dental Urgent Care is here after-hours and on weekends to repair a chipped or cracked tooth. We can fabricate a custom crown in one visit with our state-of-the-art CEREC system.

Why is it important to fix a cracked tooth immediately?

1. When the enamel is compromised, the tooth is more susceptible to decay.
2. You may start chewing differently and experience head or jaw aches.
3. The tooth may be so week it’s vulnerable to further damage.
4. The damaged tooth may damage adjacent or opposing teeth.
5. Your tongue won’t leave it alone and it will drive you crazy.

Have you been living with a cracked tooth for a while now? Schedule an appointment and we will fix it for you. We have extended hours to accommodate your schedule.

Don’t Chew Hard Things!

Now, let’s focus on how to avoid this preventable problem.

Steer clear of chewing on hard things if you don’t want a cracked tooth! This includes ice, hard candy, and (sorry cinephiles) popcorn. Be careful with pitted fruits. In fact, be careful with fruit that has supposedly had the pit removed. Sometimes a small hard pit fragment remains.

Chew beef jerky carefully or avoid it altogether. (It’s unreasonably expensive anyway.)

Wear Sports Mouthguards

Protect your smile against any impact on the mouth that could be experienced during sporting events. If you are a member of a local Apollo Beach or Fishhawk rec center basketball, ultimate frisbee, or flag football league, pick up a mouth guard at any Tampa area sporting goods store.

Better yet, talk to us about a custom mouthguard.

Have Tooth Grinding Treated

Tooth grinding is never a good thing, and it can even lead to a cracked tooth or temporomandibular conditions. Talk to your dentist, doctor, or physical therapist and try some stress reduction techniques to keep your jaw nice and relaxed.

Have Regular Dental Checkups

Be sure to keep your regular checkups with your Gibsonton dentist. He/she can spot possible problems that could predispose you to a cracked tooth such as an uneven chewing surface or brittle teeth. Your dentist will check for enamel erosion and damage to existing restorations

If you have a cracked tooth, you’ll want to pursue the correct course of treatment and, if needed, explore some cosmetic dentistry procedures. In addition to urgent care dental services, we provide veneers, the aforementioned CEREC crowns, and dental implants.

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