09/May/2025

Proper tooth brushing techniques are essential to ward off tooth day and gum disease. Proper tooth brushing will remove food particles and bacteria without scrubbing your teeth and gums too heavily. Brushing too heavily can lead to erosion. To avoid damaging the surface of your teeth, choose a soft bristly toothbrush and apply following steps to ensure proper tooth brushing:

Only use a thin strip or pea-sized amount of toothpaste on your toothbrush. The toothpaste is to freshen your breath. The toothbrush is actually responsible for cleaning your teeth, not the toothpaste. The extra toothpaste used when brushing is basically an added amount of abrasive cleaner, which can lead to erosion and receding gums.
Keep your toothbrush at a 45 degree angle to the surface of your teeth pointing towards the gum line.
Avoid the straight, back-and-forth motion, which can abrade the teeth. Using a gentle, circular motion covering all surfaces (front, back, & chewing surfaces)
After cleaning all surfaces using the circular pattern, it is also good practice to hold your toothbrush vertically to clean the inner areas of the teeth.
Don’t forget to brush your tongue. Bacteria can accumulate on the tongue between the taste buds and other structures of the tongue. There are special brushes available specifically for your tongue and they are easy to use.
The recommended time to spend brush your teeth is 2 to 3 minutes.

Flossing is also an important part of proper oral health care. Flossing can be performed before or after brushing. A quality mouth rinse can add even more protection after brushing and flossing. Do not hesitate to contact South Tampa Smiles team for further tips on proper brushing, flossing and other health care concerns at 813 – 289 – 0560.

#propertoothbrushing

#oralhealth

#flossing

#toothbrushing

#southtampadentist

Dr. Cannariato

09/May/2025

Dr. Cannariato

09/May/2025

Signs and Symptoms

Oral cancer can occur on the inside or outside of the mouth. It can be on the lips, inside the mouth, tonsils, salivary glands or the back of the throat. Oral cancer may require surgery, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy treatment. If it is not detected early, it can also be fatal. Recognizing early symptoms is the key to successful treatment.

See your dentist if you notice any of the following symptoms:

A sore on your lips or inside the mouth that bleeds easily and doesn’t heal
An unexplained pain inside your mouth or ear
A lump on your cheek that you can feel with your tongue
A lump on your neck
A white or red patch on the gums, tongue, tonsil, or inside cheeks
A persistent sore throat or feeling that something is caught in the throat
Difficulty chewing or swallowing food
Numbness of the tongue or mouth
Changes in voice or slurred speech

Oral Cancer Risk Factors

Tobacco and alcohol use have been linked to oral cancer. Heavy alcohol use along with cigarette smoking together poses a much greater risk of developing oral cancer than either substance used alone. The sexually transmitted disease human papillomavirus, or HPV, has been linked to certain oral cancers. Age is another factor. Your risk of oral cancer increases with age, mostly affecting those over 40. Sun exposure can play a role, such as cancers of the lip. A diet low in fruits and vegetables may be a contributor as well. Eating a healthy diet, not smoking tobacco, and limiting alcohol consumption will significantly lower your risk of developing oral cancer.

Regular Dental & Medical Checkups

You will not always be able to spot the earliest warning signs of oral cancer, which is why regular check-ups with both your dentist and doctor are so important. Your dentist is trained to detect early warning signs of oral cancer so keeping up with your routine dental checkups is imperative. If you don’t have a regular dentist, we would like to invite you to come visit South Tampa Smiles for your dental exam and cleaning. Call us at (813) 289 – 0560.

#oralcancer

#cancer

#mouthsores

#lipsores

#southtampadentist

Dr. Cannariato

09/May/2025

Happy Friday!

#southtampasmiles

#fridayfunny

#southtampadentist

Dr. Cannariato

09/May/2025

Most of us encounter stressful periods at some point in our lives. We are all aware that stress can have negative effects on our emotional health, but stress can also have significant negative effects on our oral health.

We know that stress can be a major contributing factor to the following conditions:

Bruxism

Bruxism is the grinding and clenching of your teeth that often occurs while you sleep. Daily stresses can bring on the pattern of Bruxism and can cause your teeth to become worn, cracked, and loose.

Periodontal Disease

Long-term stress can cause the immune system to weaken. This increases the risk of having the gums infected by plaque and developing Periodontal Disease, also known as gum disease.

Canker Sores

Although these shallow lesions have an unknown cause, research suggests several factors including the likelihood of being stress induced. Canker sores are generally harmless, but they can be quite painful.

TMJ

Stress contributes to temporomandibular joint disorders, known as TMJ or TMD. Stress and Bruxism are common causes of TMJ disorder. The trauma from grinding the teeth as well as anxiety and depression are common triggers.

Dry Mouth

Xerostomia, more commonly known as Dry Mouth, occurs when the mouth doesn’t produce enough saliva. Dry Mouth can result from conditions caused by stress or the medications used to treat anxiety and depression.

Burning Mouth Syndrome

Burning Mouth Syndrome by definition is a burning sensation on the tongue, lips gums or palate. Though the direct cause is unknown, stress is one of the triggers for burning mouth syndrome.

Lichen Planus

Lichen Planus of the mouth produces white, lacy patches or lines in the mouth. It is believed to be a reaction to viral infections triggered from stress.

All of these symptoms show the indirect ways stress can influence your oral health. Stay vigilant on your daily oral hygiene routine during periods of high stress. If you are concerned that stress is affecting your teeth and gums, contact SouthTampaSmiles at (813)289–0560.

#stress

#southtampasmiles

#southtampadentist

#tampadentist

Dr. Cannariato

09/May/2025

Happy Friday from South Tampa Smiles!

#southtampasmiles

#fridayfunny

#funny

#dentaljoke

Dr. Cannariato

09/May/2025

Ever wonder if your toothbrush has microscopic germs that you can’t see? It’s not something we like to think about as we place the head of the brush inside our mouth daily, but the answer is YES! Germs can be living within the bristles on your toothbrush.

With the oral cavity housing hundreds of different types of microorganisms, there is a good chance of some of those germs to be transferred to your toothbrush. Brand new toothbrushes may also have bacteria on them when you take them out of the package. There is no requirement for toothbrushes to be sold in sterile packages.

Germs from your mouth are not the only contributors to those germs living on your toothbrush. If you store your toothbrush on the bathroom counter unprotected and in the open, simply flushing the toilet can introduce germs into the air. They can propel onto your toothbrush making toilet flushes the worst culprit to imagine contaminating your toothbrush.

This is an unpleasant truth, but there are a few steps you can take to help keep your mind at ease before, during and after brushing your teeth daily:

Rinse your toothbrush thoroughly with hot water before and after brushing your teeth.
Store your toothbrush in an upright position if possible allowing ventilation. Do not store toothbrushes in airtight containers.
Keep toothbrushes separated to avoid cross-contamination.
Never share your toothbrush. Exchange of body fluids equals exchange of harmful bacteria.
Throw away your toothbrush after you’ve been sick.
Replace toothbrushes every 3-4 months when it starts to show signs of wear.

These practices combined with visiting your dentist regularly for check-ups and cleanings will help to ensure that you have a lifelong healthy smile.

Contact South Tampa Smiles at (813) 289 – 0560.

Source Information:

ADA.org

#germs

#toothbrush

#germslivingontoothbrush

#southtampadentist

#dentaleducation

Dr. Cannariato

09/May/2025

Happy Friday, Everyone!

Here’s Your South Tampa Smiles Friday Funny!

#southtampasmiles

#southtampasmilesfridayfunny

#fridayfunny

Dr. Cannariato

09/May/2025

Smile More

Cosmetic dentistry boosts confidence and gives you the self-assurance to smile more! Cover your mouth when laughing or speaking in public? If your smile is holding you back, or non-existent, there are dental enhancement procedures that can make you love your smile. When you are not afraid to let your teeth show, you are much more at ease. You are less likely to hold back because of insecurities with your teeth.

Professional Success

People who are unsatisfied with their teeth miss out on countless opportunities in their life from being overly self-conscious. Restraining from the impulse to smile and speak freely without inhibitions can be detrimental to any career advancement. This can leave you feeling “stuck” in life and further bring down your level of self-confidence. A radiant smile boosts confidence to succeed in whatever your career choice.

More Fulfilling Personal Life

Cosmetic dentistry boosts confidence, which has a direct impact on your overall happiness. A person that is insecure about their teeth can find it more difficult in the dating game or engaging in other social situations without feeling insecure. This can leave you feeling unsatisfied in your personal life. Consider cosmetic dentistry if you are unhappy with your smile. People that love their smile enjoy life to the fullest.

Overall Wellness

Improving your physical appearance is important, but the biggest impact of a beautiful smile is your overall wellness. A radiant smile could fill that missing element holding you back. Cosmetic dentistry can positively change your self-image and live the most fulfilling life possible.

Dr. John Cannariato, DMD of South Tampa Smiles specializes in Cosmetic Dentistry. Contact us today at (813) 289-0560 for further questions or start the process of getting a healthy, radiant smile you deserve.

#cosmeticdentistry

#southtampadentist

#smile

#cosmeticdentistryboostsconfidence

#southtampasmiles