Blog

Aug19

Debunking Dental Myths

Today’s Your Time Dental Urgent Care blog post focuses on three dental-related myths prevalent in the Tampa area.

All Sugar Is Equally Bad For Teeth

We all know that sugar increases our risk of tooth decay, but some types are worse than others. Sugar-based foods that sit on the teeth are more dangerous than those that are swallowed immediately. For example, sipping a soda or sucking on a mint can be worse than eating a candy bar all at once.

You Don’t Need To Worry About Baby Teeth Because They Will Fall Out Anyway

Healthy primary teeth serve several important purposes. They allow the child to eat and speak properly. They retain proper spacing of teeth. A healthy smile instills confidence and self-esteem. Healthy baby teeth eliminate the pain of decay which disrupts normal daily activity.

Pulling A Tooth Is Just As Good As A Root Canal

We will let the American Associate of Endodontists explain this one:
Saving your natural teeth, if possible, is the very best option. Nothing can completely replace your natural tooth. An artificial tooth can sometimes cause you to avoid certain foods. Keeping your own teeth is important so that you can continue to enjoy the wide variety of foods necessary to maintain the proper nutrient balance in your diet. Endodontic treatment, along with appropriate restoration, is a cost-effective way to treat teeth with damaged pulp and is usually less expensive than extraction and placement of a bridge or an implant. Endodontic treatment also has a very high success rate. Many root canal-treated teeth last a lifetime.¹

At Your Time Dental Urgent Care, we provide accurate answers to all of your dental questions.

If you are interested in urgent dental care, dental implants or cosmetic dentistry, call us today to schedule an appointment.

http://www.aae.org/patients/treatments-and-procedures/root-canals/myths-about-root-canals-and-root-canal-pain.aspx

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ArticleID 6498

Aug15

For A Healthier Smile, Stop Doing This

Chewing sugared gum all day.
Cavities, a sore jaw, or damaged bridgework may result. If you must chew, select gum with Xylitol.

Drinking soda and energy drinks.
These sugary, acidic beverages are exceptionally efficient at damaging enamel.

Chewing ice or hard candy.
Your enamel is quite hard. But so are ice and hard candy, and head-to-head, from time to time they win, resulting in a broken tooth.

Skipping flossing.
Maybe you think brushing is enough. Following brushing with a conscientious flossing job cleans away bits of food and plaque between teeth.

Using a firm bristled toothbrush.
A soft-bristled brush is a right tool for the job. Save your firm brush for cleaning the grout around your bathtub.

Delaying dental checkups.
Don’t wait until you feel pain. Call 813-519-0128 to book an extensive exam and the best deep dental cleaning you can get anywhere. Our first-rate hygienists really are the best!

Dr. Richard Kernagis has been providing first rate dental care in Gibsonton area since 2001. For more information on how to keep your smile healthy, call 813-519-0128 to schedule an appointment.

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ArticleID 7381

Aug5

Re-Contour Your Teeth

If your crooked, stained teeth keep you from smiling and you feel like there is nothing you can do about it, please give me a call!

My name is Dr. Kernagis and my comfortable staff and I have been giving the people of Gibsonton something to smile about since 2001.

If your teeth are uneven, Your Time Dental Urgent Care has several options to repair that. We can re-contour your teeth by removing a small portion of your enamel to change the length or shape of your tooth. If more is required to improve your smile we can offer veneers or bonding.

A veneer is a thin shell of porcelain that is permanently attached to the front of a tooth, correcting cosmetic imperfections. They can last longer than dental bonding and preserve more natural tooth structure than crowns.

Many individuals have teeth that have become discolored by drinking colas, tea, or coffee. If you have darkened teeth and dream of having pearly white teeth then check out the many teeth whitening options.

Ask us about emergency same-day dental care, urgent dental care, and emergency dental care.

We make patients feel comfortable

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ArticleID 3751

Jul29

Is Malocclusion Causing Your Headache?

Do you suffer from chronic headaches? Have you tried meds, diet adjustments, and chiropractic treatment?

Perhaps the cause is not stress-induced tension, food allergies, spine alignment, or eyestrain. Maybe the culprit is right under your nose.

Bite misalignment or malocclusion is a fairly common abnormality yet typically goes undetected.

Nature intended the front teeth to fit slightly forward from the lower teeth. With a perfect bite, the molars fit together like precision gears. When there is bite misalignment, the upper arch may close too far back or the lower teeth may close off-center horizontally.

Malocclusion can cause headaches, tooth loosening, tooth fracture, and in acute cases, difficulty chewing, speaking, or breathing.

Braces are an effective solution for many bite issues. Braces not only move teeth, they can also correct the position and function of the joints, muscles, and bones in the jaw. In very rare cases of severe malocclusion, jaw surgery may be needed.

If you haven’t been able to identify the cause of your headaches, talk to your dentist. If you don’t have a dentist and live in the Gibsonton area, we invite you to visit Your Time Dental Urgent Care. We offer technologically-advanced dentistry with a personal touch.

During your exam, Dr. Kernagis will analyze your bite to see if it may be contributing to or causing your headaches. If that’s the case, we will develop a treatment plan.

Thanks for visiting the Your Time Dental Urgent Care dental blog. We hope to see you soon.

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ArticleID 1554

Jul22

The Rate of Bone Loss After Extraction Can Be Slowed or Stopped With an Implant

The alveolar bone

The bone surrounding the teeth is called alveolar bone. Its main job is to support the teeth and provide a durable foundation for tooth roots. Normal mouth function maintains bone health. As you chew, it stimulates bone cells to continually generate new bone.

What can cause alveolar bone loss?

Extraction

When a tooth is extracted, the bone at the extraction site is no longer needed.

It’s not just that the root is gone, the forces of chewing no longer stimulate the bone at that site. First, the bone gets narrower. Then it gets shorter.

Studies have shown that a significant amount of alveolar bone loss can transpire within six weeks after an extraction.

Periodontal disease

Gingivitis is not just a problem with the soft tissues. The infection caused by gingivitis (gum disease) can destroy alveolar bone. Advanced periodontal disease can result in the loss of teeth. The rate of bone loss caused by periodontal disease may be accelerated when the tooth roots are gone.

What if I can’t get an implant immediately after a tooth extraction?

If you plan to get a tooth implant after having a tooth extracted, it’s best to do it as soon as your implant dentist recommends. Bone recedes quickly.

Some implant dentists use socket preservation grafts. With this service, your dentist fills the extraction socket with bone grafting material. The grafting material should start integrating with the surrounding bone. This won’t halt all bone loss, but it may slow it down.

Dentures don’t preserve alveolar bone

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 25% of adults over 65 have no remaining teeth. Many people with missing teeth or no teeth at all choose dentures. This is understandable. It’s difficult to eat and speak with no teeth in the mouth. And nobody wants a toothless mouth.

It’s critical to understand, however, that dentures don’t replace the roots of the missing teeth and they don’t preserve alveolar bone. Dental implants are the only tooth replacement option that helps preserve jawbone structure.

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ArticleID 8267

Jul15

Preventing Facial Injuries

Facial injuries occur all too often in the Tampa area. Apollo Beach Little Leaguers get hit by inside pitches, Lithia construction workers suffer falls and other accidents at the worksite, and Florida motorists sustain injuries in detrimental collisions every single day. Accidents at home can also result in serious injury to the face.

Serious facial injuries can affect the victim’s ability to eat, breathe, and speak. Because of the critical physical processes at risk, a person who has suffered a facial injury should receive medical care as soon as possible. Injuries to the mouth are treated by general dentists and oral and maxillofacial surgeons.

At Your Time Dental Urgent Care, we are committed to the use of protective equipment for every type of sport, whether it is a team sport or individual activity. Call us at 813-519-0128 to talk to us about mouthguard recommendations regarding your (or your child’s) specific sport.

Likewise, the Tampa workplace injury rate can be reduced with increased use of appropriate protective equipment and adherence to vital safety procedures. With respect to Gibsonton motor vehicle injuries, the following instructions bear repetition: Wear your seatbelt and don’t send or read text messages while driving!

If you have suffered a recent injury to your face, mouth, or jaw, schedule a dental consultation with Richard Kernagis of Your Time Dental Urgent Care. If you are having dental problems (functional or aesthetic) due to an untreated past injury, we can develop an effective treatment plan.

My office is located at 13145 Kings Lake Drive Ste 105B in Gibsonton.

Dr. Kernagis

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ArticleID 1479

Jul8

Yes! You Can Replace Old Fillings

Superficial cuts in the skin subside without a trace, infections are eradicated with antibiotics, broken bones mend, and inflamed tissues recede. Our teeth, unfortunately, can’t regenerate. Decay can be halted in its progress, but scientists are still years away from actual enamel regeneration. That’s why the team at Your Time Dental Urgent Care strongly emphasizes preventative dentistry.

Few People Avoid Cavities

The healthiest mouths have all teeth intact and free of current or former cavities. But how many smiles can boast such an admirable record? Very few.

In fact, most individuals in Florida probably don’t even know someone who has never had a cavity. Tooth decay is second only to the common cold as the most frequent health dilemma in childhood. When we reach middle age, many of us have even had a root canal or two.

Depending on the size of the cavity, after cleaning and preparing the tooth, your dentist can fill it, place a crown, or complete a root canal (usually followed by a crown).

Restorations Have Come a Long Way

Modern restorations have many advantages over those in years past. There are stronger and more natural-looking materials. Many of our patients at Your Time Dental Urgent Care who have not had a filling for a while, are not aware that white fillings are available. You can even replace old amalgam fillings with white fillings and give your mouth a makeover!

As we said before, when a tooth is compromised by injury or decay, it is never exactly the way it was before. But now, with modern fillings and crowns, it can regain strength and beauty.

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ArticleID 8479

Jul1

Crown Or Veneer?

I am Richard Kernagis of Your Time Dental Urgent Care in Gibsonton. Your Time Dental Urgent Care offers multiple cosmetic dental procedures for creating brilliant smiles. Two of the most popular procedures are dental crowns and porcelain veneers. Many patients don’t understand the difference between the two. Generally, a crown strengthens a compromised tooth while a veneer is used mainly for cosmetic improvements.

Let’s discuss it in more detail.

Dental Crowns vs. Porcelain Veneers

A dental crown covers the entire visible part of the tooth. A veneer is an ultra-thin layer for the front of a tooth. Ceramic laminate is used to create durable veneers. Crowns can be made of all-porcelain (ceramic), porcelain fused to metal, or gold. Both crowns and veneers are affixed to the tooth with a special adhesive. Crowns and veneers are durable and can last many years if properly cared for, though they are not stronger than natural enamel.

Both of these procedures improve the tooth aesthetically, but dental crowns are typically a better solution for a tooth that has been compromised by decay, damage, or a root canal. Veneers can repair the shape of a tooth, repair a minor crack, cover stains, or straighten the appearance of teeth that are slightly misaligned.

Your Dentist and the Dental Lab Technician Work Together

The success of a crown or veneer procedure depends on expert professionals at the lab and in the dentist’s office. Your cosmetic dentist must prep the tooth, create a precision mold, and submit an accurate order to the lab.

The role of the dental lab technician is equally critical. Highly skilled lab technicians fabricate custom dental crowns and veneers to the specifications of the cosmetic dentist. They must have the proficiency to meet the precise standards necessary for successful restorations.

A veneer has everything you want: the exact shape, the exact size, the precise color, and the proper placement in the mouth. This is a case of all or nothing—each aspect must be perfect or it needs to be reconstructed.

The team at Your Time Dental Urgent Care and the marvelous staff at our dental lab work together to provide the highest quality dental restorations for our valued patients.

We are accepting new patients!

If you would like more helpful specifics about crowns, veneers, and other cosmetic dental procedures, I invite you to reach out to us to schedule a cosmetic dental consultation. I can help you achieve a smile that is both healthy and remarkable. Call 813-519-0128 today!

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ArticleID 7129

Jun24

Affordable One-Visit Tooth Fix

Some Tampa people are unhappy with the way their teeth look but many mistakenly assume that cosmetic dentistry is far too pricey to pursue.

Sure, a complete mouth reconstruction can be an expensive investment. Consider the cost of dental school and post-graduate training for a master level cosmetic dentist. Consider the expense of individually creating multiple restorations at a high-tech dental lab. Consider the cost of setting up and maintaining a full-service dental practice or laboratory.

Before you give up on improving your smile, however, think about a less celebrated but extremely effective and affordable cosmetic dental remedy: dental bonding.

Dental bonding has a wide range of applications for unsightly teeth. Bonding can repair a tooth that is damaged, chipped, short, or discolored. It can also fix teeth that have gaps in between them.

How does the dental bonding procedure work?

First, your tooth will be slightly (but painlessly) roughed up to help the resin adhere. Your dentist will use a shade guide to ascertain the precise color of the composite to match the existing teeth. Your dentist will apply liquid composite resin on the tooth, layer by layer. He or she will carefully shape and polish it before it hardens. The tooth is then covered with a conditioning liquid that assists with adhesion.

Once the resin is bonded, it is further molded to the exact shape for your bite and appearance. A laser helps quickly bond the resin in place as it hardens. Further shaping and polishing, if required, complete the procedure. The result is a beautiful smile.

Bonding is a simple and cost-effective method for perfecting your smile. Call today at to set up an appointment at 813-519-0128.

We invite you to meet the fantastic team at Your Time Dental Urgent Care in Gibsonton. We are proud of our esteemed reputation for important personalized attention and first-rate care. Our comfortable team can answer any questions you have about our top services: urgent dental care, emergency dental care, and sedation dentistry.

We are now accepting new patients and look forward to meeting you.

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ArticleID 7045

Jun17

Cavity Fighting Chewing Gum?

I’m Richard Kernagis DMD of Your Time Dental Urgent Care in Gibsonton. My patients often ask me if chewing xylitol gum is an effective substitute for tooth brushing and regular dental exams.

Before I answer that question, let me tell you a little bit about xylitol:

Xylitol is a natural sweetener that was first discovered in birch tree bark but is also found in many fruits and vegetables. Unlike most other sweeteners (natural or synthetic), xylitol is actually beneficial for your teeth.

Numerous clinical studies have demonstrated that xylitol prevents the growth of the bacteria that initiates cavities. It also lessens plaque and strengthens tooth enamel.

Xylitol has other benefits, as well. Because it is low on the glycemic index, many of my patients with diabetes enjoy it as a healthy alternative to sugar. For my patients that cope with frequent dry mouth, I recommend xylitol gum or mints to stimulate saliva production while protecting against cavities.

Now, back to the golden question. Is xylitol gum just as effective as brushing your teeth and seeing your family dentist regularly? Absolutely not! If you cannot brush your teeth after a meal, chewing xylitol gum for five or ten minutes is probably a good idea. However, you should still brush your teeth thoroughly (with a soft brush) after meals and get twice-yearly exams and dental cleanings.

At Your Time Dental Urgent Care, our goal is to keep your smile healthy and beautiful for life by preventing dental issues before they start. If you postpone dental visits until you feel pain, you risk losing teeth and most certainly will require more extensive treatment than if the dilemma was caught earlier.

Is it time for a dental exam? Call us at 813-519-0128 to book an appointment. Our comfortable team is waiting to take care of all your dental needs.

Contact Your Time Dental Urgent Care:

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ArticleID 1368

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All Sugar Is Equally Bad For Teeth

You Don’t Need To Worry About Baby Teeth Because They Will Fall Out Anyway

Pulling A Tooth Is Just As Good As A Root Canal

Contact Your Time Dental Urgent Care:

Locations: (Tap to open in Google Maps):

South Shore – Gibsonton

FishHawk – Lithia

Contact Your Time Dental Urgent Care:

Locations: (Tap to open in Google Maps):

South Shore – Gibsonton

FishHawk – Lithia

Contact Your Time Dental Urgent Care:

Locations: (Tap to open in Google Maps):

South Shore – Gibsonton

FishHawk – Lithia

Contact Your Time Dental Urgent Care:

Locations: (Tap to open in Google Maps):

South Shore – Gibsonton

FishHawk – Lithia

The alveolar bone

What can cause alveolar bone loss?

What if I can’t get an implant immediately after a tooth extraction?

Dentures don’t preserve alveolar bone

Contact Your Time Dental Urgent Care:

Locations: (Tap to open in Google Maps):

South Shore – Gibsonton

FishHawk – Lithia

Contact Your Time Dental Urgent Care:

Locations: (Tap to open in Google Maps):

South Shore – Gibsonton

FishHawk – Lithia

Few People Avoid Cavities

Restorations Have Come a Long Way

Contact Your Time Dental Urgent Care:

Locations: (Tap to open in Google Maps):

South Shore – Gibsonton

FishHawk – Lithia

Dental Crowns vs. Porcelain Veneers

Your Dentist and the Dental Lab Technician Work Together

We are accepting new patients!

Contact Your Time Dental Urgent Care:

Locations: (Tap to open in Google Maps):

South Shore – Gibsonton

FishHawk – Lithia

Contact Your Time Dental Urgent Care:

Locations: (Tap to open in Google Maps):

South Shore – Gibsonton

FishHawk – Lithia

Contact Your Time Dental Urgent Care:

Locations: (Tap to open in Google Maps):

South Shore – Gibsonton

FishHawk – Lithia

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