Oral Health Archives - Page 2 of 4

17/Apr/2024

February 9th is National Toothache Day

Did you know there is a national day dedicated to toothache pain? No kidding! February 9th is National Toothache Day! While having a toothache is no cause for celebration, being toothache free is something to be commemorated. South Tampa Smiles would like to use National Toothache Day to remind all of our patients the importance of staying on top of your dental care and how to stay toothache free!

Toothaches are painful and unpleasant. Simply put, they are just no fun. It should be a priority to stay on top of your home dental routine to minimize the risk of developing dental problems that cause toothaches. Avoiding toothaches starts with a proper dental hygiene routine at home. Be sure to brush properly for at least 2 minutes twice daily and floss everyday. Along with a rigorous home hygiene routine, keeping your regular, professional cleanings and checkups is just as important to keep painful toothaches at bay.

Tips to Remaining Toothache Free on National Toothache Day & All Year Long:

Brush at least twice a day
Floss at least once a day
Avoid sugary / acidic foods and drinks
Avoid the use of tobacco products
Keep up with dental checkups & cleanings

A toothache is your body’s way of telling you that something’s not quite right. And you should listen! Don’t live with the discomfort of a toothache. We will do a thorough examination, dental x-rays and professional cleaning to determine the cause of your pain and the best treatment for you. If you are suffering from a toothache in South Tampa, we encourage you to take action and call us as soon as possible. We’ll perform an in depth examination to determine the cause of your pain and work with you to get you toothache free and smiling. Contact South Tampa Smiles at (813) 289 – 0560 promptly. We are here to help.

Use #NationalToothacheDay to share National Toothache Day on social media!

Black Friday

Black Friday marks the beginning of the holiday shopping season. Many people will be out shopping department stores for the best deals on electronics, toys, clothing, and whatever “door buster” items on their holiday shopping list. This day is the busiest day of the year for shopping malls. It is also a day for eager shoppers to wake up in wee hours in a mad rush to score the best bargains.

Black Friday has often been referred to by dentists as “Plaque Friday”. This is due to the fact that patients are out spending their disposable income on gifts for friends and family without putting money aside for their dental healthcare. Many people will put off overdue dental appointments until the beginning of the year. Breaking out the credit card for dental treatment is not how most people prefer to spend their money this time of year.

The staff at South Tampa Smiles would like to encourage everyone to get their dental treatment done by the end of the year. Make sure you consider all of your payment options before you neglect to get dental care you need and deserve. Many of our patients have dental insurance plans or money set aside in their health savings accounts. We also accept CareCredit, which allows you to get your dental treatment now and make easy payments over time.

This is a friendly reminder to keep your oral health in check. There is no better time than the present to schedule your next dental visit and spend this holiday season with a beautiful smile. Give us a call at (813) 289 – 0560. Our friendly staff is ready to assist you in keeping your dental care a priority through the remainder of the year. Remember, your beautiful smile needs to last a lifetime!

Dr. Cannariato

17/Apr/2024

Pumpkins are Good for Your Teeth!

Welcome to pumpkin season! This time of year you will find everything pumpkin infused, from pumpkin pies and cakes to pumpkin ales and lattes. Although these seasonal favorites tend to be loaded with sugars and tend to be on the unhealthy side, the pumpkin itself is quite good for you. There is no shortage of vitamins and other nutrients, which we all need to keep our bodies healthy and strong. South Tampa Smiles would like to take this opportunity to honor this wonderful and delicious food and share the many oral health benefits.

Pumpkin provides more than 100% of our daily vitamin A requirements. It also has a healthy source of vitamins C, E, B and various other nutrients such as magnesium, manganese, potassium, copper and zinc. Don’t forget about the seeds, which have lots of fiber, iron, protein and calcium. Each vitamin and mineral found in pumpkins play an important role in the health of your teeth and gums.

How Pumpkins are good for your teeth (Nutritional Roles & Daily Requirements):

Vitamin A promotes healing. One cup of pumpkin provides all the vitamin A you need in a single day.
B vitamins can reduce tongue inflammation (Glossitis). Ongoing deficiencies in the vitamin B families can cause the loss of the tiny fingerlike projections on the tongue (papillae).
Vitamin C boosts your immune system, which helps fight infections and inflammation.
Magnesium works with calcium to harden enamel, resist tooth decay, and is essential in bone production. One ounce of pumpkin seeds give you more than one-third of your daily magnesium needs.
Zinc keeps keep your teeth and bones strong. 1 oz of roasted pumpkin seeds gives you about a third of your daily zinc needs.

Everyone can see that pumpkins are good for your teeth, but we are speaking of the actual pumpkin and not the flavorings and spices. Keep snacks in moderation and include healthy portions of pumpkin into your diet. There are many ways to incorporated pumpkin into your diet such as smoothies, soups and roasted pumpkin seeds for a snack. How the pumpkins are prepared, cooked and served define whether or not you get the full nutritional benefits that pumpkins have to offer.

Keep following South Tampa Smiles to learn more about the nutritional facts of the foods you eat and their impact on your oral health. Call us today if it is time for your six month checkup or if you are experiencing any dental concerns at (813) 289 – 0560.

Further Reading: Thanksgiving Foods that are Good for Your Teeth

Dr. Cannariato

17/Apr/2024

Crowded Teeth – Problems and Fixes

Not everyone is lucky enough to have been born with straight, perfectly spaced teeth. Most people with the perfect smile have had cosmetic and/or orthodontic treatment at some point in their lives. A beautiful smile is the most common reason most people seek treatment for crowded teeth, but crowded teeth can negatively affect your dental and overall health as well.

First of all, properly cleaning crowded teeth can be quite difficult. Reaching all the areas of the tooth surfaces can be problematic and bacteria can begin to accumulate in those hard-to-reach areas. This allows bacteria continue to colonize and break down the enamel on the teeth resulting in decay. Crowding can sometimes hinder the discovery of dental decay because it may be difficult to see and even be masked on dental x-rays. Decay may not become evident until it has turned into a bigger problem, thus requiring more extensive dental treatment.

Along with the negative impact crowding causes on your teeth, it also affects the health of your gums. Your gums protect the underlying hard tissues of your mouth: bones and teeth. If bacteria are not properly cleaned away from your gums regularly, your gum tissue can wear leading to recession. Recession occurs when the gums pull away from the teeth. This can ultimately lead to bone and tooth loss if left untreated.

Treatment for Crowded Teeth

South Tampa Smiles offers various forms of treatment for crowded teeth in Tampa, FL and surrounding communities. When teeth are rotated, it is usually because there is not enough room for them. Moving the teeth through orthodontic treatment remains to be the most common solution. Braces are used to expand the space and allow for more room between the teeth. Many advancements have been made including 6 month braces to make orthodontic treatment a more pleasant experience. There are many cosmetic methods of achieving a straighter look such as bonding, crowns and veneers. The form of treatment weighs heavily on severity of crowding & positioning and personal expectations of the patient. Give us a call to schedule a consultation and find out what type of treatment is best for you! (813) – 879 – 0560.

National Stand Up to Cancer Day

This Friday Sept. 9th is National Stand Up to Cancer Day. At South Tampa Smiles, we strongly promote meaningful dates that serve a purpose and have a positive impact our patients and community. We stress the value in spreading news and events concerning health, environment, and community issues. With 1600 people dying every day from cancer in the United States, this illness is sure to affect most people at some time in their lives. For this reason we would like to give this day the special attention and promotion it deserves.

Stand Up To Cancer, SU2C, was established in 2008 and has brought together more than 1,200 research scientists from leading institutions across the world. Their collaborative approach to cancer research is targeted towards ending cancer’s reign as a leading cause of death. Friday, Sept 9 at 8|7c, there will be a live commercial-free fundraising telecast including Hollywood favorites. Join in on this hour-long telecast to benefit groundbreaking cancer research. Visit their website at Su2Cshow.org for more information and make a donation to this important cause.

“SU2C’s mission, to ensure that all cancer patients become cancer survivors, is one that is very close to my heart.”

—Bradley Cooper, who lost his father, Charles Cooper, to lung cancer in 2011

We often share important oral and overall health to keep our patients, followers and community informed. Visit our blog to get caught up on various topics we’ve covered as well as keep up with our latest posts. To help spread awareness of National Stand Up to Cancer Day use #STANDUPTOCANCERDAY and #REASONS2STANDUP on social media. Contact South Tampa Smiles to make your next dental appointment and stay on top of your oral health at (813) 289 – 0560. We look forward to hearing from you.

Be sure to read our previous cancer related articles:

Oral Cancer Risks & Detection

Protect Your Lips From the Sun

Dr. Cannariato

17/Apr/2024

August is National Eye Exam Month

It’s the perfect time to schedule your next eye exam in observance of National Eye Exam Month. Regular eye exams are important to make sure that your eyes are in good condition, determine eyeglass prescription and check for common eye diseases. Often, your eye doctor is the first healthcare professional to detect chronic, systemic diseases such as high blood pressure and diabetes.

Did you know that the health of your teeth and gums can affect your vision?

Certain dental conditions can have a negative impact on your eyes. Tooth infection and gum diseases can often lead to eye sight deterioration. Your eyes are very near to your teeth. The nerves of the eyes may become inflamed due to an infected tooth or periodontitis. Optical neuritis is the inflammation of the optic nerve. It can lead to eye pain and blurred vision. If left untreated, bacterial infections can destroy the healthy nerve tissue in the eyes and brain. The microbes are toxic and spread to the brain through the lymphatic system and be potentially fatal.

The importance of routine eye exams, in addition to regular doctor visits and dental checkups, is quite evident in maintaining optimum overall health. Neglecting one or the other can sometimes lead to missed early warning signs of developing systemic disease. Early detection plays a vital role in detecting chronic disease or other health problems in the earliest stages, which lessens the risk of illness progression.

Celebrate National Eye Exam Month this August and call your vision care specialists to set up your appointment. Also, make sure you are up-to-date on your dental exam, x-rays, and cleaning. Contact South Tampa Smiles at (813) 289 – 0560. Our friendly office staff will answer any questions you may have and assist you in making your next appointment.

Dr. Cannariato

17/Apr/2024

Dental Care for an Expecting Mother

The discovery of a new pregnancy is a beautiful blessing that brings the expecting parents much joy and excitement. Taking the right steps to ensure a healthy pregnancy is important and becomes every woman’s focus over the course of the next nine months. Continuous prenatal care along with a healthy diet and exercise plan, help your body acclimate to the many changes you are experiencing. We would like to share a few tips focusing on dental care for an expecting mother.

The changes in a woman’s body during pregnancy also have an impact on her state of oral health. Proper dental care is extremely important due to the fact that dental problems can increase the risk of complications. Pregnancy and your changing body can sometimes lead to dental conditions that you normally wouldn’t be prone to experiencing. Keeping informed about dental health problems due to pregnancy will help with your overall health throughout the nine months and further into your recovery period afterwards.

Common Concerns that Affect Dental Care for an Expecting Mother Include:

Swollen Gums – Pregnancy Gingivitis affects about 50% of pregnant women. Your gums may become tender, swollen and cause some bleeding.
Vomiting – Gastric reflux associated with morning sickness can coat your teeth with strong stomach acids that can damage tooth enamel and cause tooth decay.
Food Cravings – Sometimes those cravings can be harmful on your teeth. Cravings for acidic foods, such as pickles or sugary foods such as ice cream, can erode enamel and lead to tooth decay.
Hormonal Changes – Fluctuations in hormone levels can increase the blood flow to the gums, which can increase plaque bacteria, cause gum disease and promote tooth decay.

Along with your regular gynecology appointments, make sure to schedule your regular dental checkups to ensure overall health throughout your entire pregnancy experience.

Schedule a preventative appointment with us at South Tampa Smiles at (813) 289 – 0560.
Happy Motherhood!

For further Reading on dental health for an expecting mother, visit BetterHealth.

Dr. Cannariato

17/Apr/2024

Protect Your Lips from the Sun

Summertime is here! It’s time to get out there and enjoy some of your favorite “fun in-the-sun” activities, but remember to use sunscreen to protect your skin from those harmful rays. However, one commonly forgotten body part that also needs UV protection is our lips. The skin on the lips is thinner and more vulnerable than the rest of our bodies. Sun exposure destroys collagen, so it thins the lips even more over time.

Use Lip Balm to Protect Your Lips

Just the same as applying regular sunscreen prevents future sagging and aging of the skin on your face and body, sunscreen should be applied to the lips as well. Use a good lip balm with a broad-spectrum sunscreen to help protect your lips from the sun’s damaging rays.

Choose a lip balm with an SPF of at least 15 (preferably 30+) and apply it about 30 minutes before you go out in the sun. Keep it on hand and reapply every 2 to three hours, or even more frequently when swimming. Keep in mind that shiny lip-gloss attracts light, which increases exposure and increases the chance of developing skin cancer.

Sunburned Lip Care

If you do happen to get sunburned on your lips, apply petroleum jelly to keep them moist and keep sun exposure to a minimum until your lips are completely healed. It only takes a few simple steps to ensure protection and care for your skin and lips. By doing so, you will still be able to enjoy some of your favorite outdoor activities through the summer months without worrying about any negative effects.

As always, stay on top of your dental exams and cleanings. South Tampa Smiles provides complete exams, which includes oral cancer screening. Give us a call for your next dental visit at (813) 289 – 0560. We look forward to hearing from you!

Dr. Cannariato

17/Apr/2024

Lyme Disease is a bacterial infection transmitted by deer ticks that carry a type of bacteria called Borrelia Burgdorferi. Once bitten by an infected tick, the bacterium travels through the blood and establishes itself in various body tissues. Lyme disease is a multisystem inflammatory disease that often appears as a localized rash within 7 to 10 days along with a multitude of symptoms, which can sometimes be quite severe. The first symptoms typically start in the summer months, which is the height of the tick season. For this reason, the month of May has been named Lyme disease awareness month.

The initial symptoms of Lyme disease can present as flu-life symptoms including rash, fever, chills, stiff neck, headaches, muscle aches and joint pain. It is important to be informed of the early symptoms of this disease as the later symptoms can include arthritis, neurological and cardiac disorders. We would like to bring awareness to a number of symptoms that involve the head, neck and mouth.

Lyme Disease Head and Neck Symptoms Include:

Facial Paralysis (Bell’s Palsy)
Grinding or Clenching Teeth (Bruxism)
Mouth Sores
Dizziness with Head & Movement
Dry Cough
Dry Eyes, Nose & Mouth
Ear, Palate or Gum Pain
Jaw Pain (TMJ)
Sinus Infection
Unexplained Toothaches
Difficulty Chewing & Swallowing
Runny Nose without Cold or Allergy Symptoms

It is important to seek medical attention for a proper diagnosis. At South Tampa Smiles, we try to keep our patients informed about illnesses that can affect your overall health and educated on oral manifestations that may occur. Along with regular medical checkups, keep your oral health in check by visiting your dentist every six months. Early recognition is essentially! Give us a call for your next dental exam at (813) 289 – 0560.

For further reading about Lyme disease head and neck symptoms, news and treatments visit American Lyme Disease Foundation. You can show your support and help fight against this potentially disabling or fatal illness by making a contribution online here.

Dr. Cannariato

17/Apr/2024

Cinco De Mayo, May 5^th, is a day of celebration that commemorates the Mexican army’s victory over France at the Battle of Puebla. Many people will be celebrating this holiday at their favorite Mexican restaurant with a salt-rimmed margarita, tortilla chips with salsa and a signature “spicy” Mexican dish. These fiery foods pack a powerful punch that can break you into a sweat. We can all agree that this food is appetizing and keeps us craving more, but we would like to open the discussion:

Is spicy food bad for your teeth?

Perhaps the most recognizable and distinctive ingredient in Mexican cuisine is the chili pepper. Chili peppers contain capsaicin, which help minimize infection and also believed to alleviate pain. Another commonly used ingredient to spice up a dish is onion. Onions are packed with manganese, which helps bind calcium to bones and teeth. There are a variety of chili spices that are often used to add some heat. Chili spices are loaded with vitamin A that promotes strong bones and teeth. Spicy foods also stimulate salivary production, which acts as a natural cleanser to wash away bacteria and debris.

Foods that are high in spice can actually have a positive effect on your teeth in moderation. Of course, too much of anything is never a good thing. Frequent consumption of chili peppers can be too acidic and cause erosion of enamel. Also, most of these zesty dishes are topped with a tangy squeeze of lime. Any citrus can be harsh on your teeth when consumed too frequently.

At South Tampa Smiles we believe that variety is the spice of life so celebrate and enjoy your favorite spicy foods in moderation. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and rinse the food particles and bacteria away. Maintain proper dental care at home, regular checkups and professional cleanings. Contact your South Tampa Dentist at (813) 289 – 0560 to make your next appointment and keep your smile in excellent health.

Feliz Cinco de Mayo from your South Tampa Dentist Staff at South Tampa Smiles!

Further reading related to
Is spicy food bad for your teeth?

Nutrition Affects Your Teeth & Gums

Newer Posts

Older Posts

February 9th is National Toothache Day

February 9th is National Toothache Day

Tips to Remaining Toothache Free on National Toothache Day & All Year Long:

Black “Plaque” Friday

Black Friday

Pumpkins are Good for Your Teeth!

Pumpkins are Good for Your Teeth!

How Pumpkins are good for your teeth (Nutritional Roles & Daily Requirements):

Crowded Teeth

Treatment for Crowded Teeth

National Stand Up to Cancer Day

National Stand Up to Cancer Day

National Eye Exam Month

August is National Eye Exam Month

Dental Care for an Expecting Mother

Dental Care for an Expecting Mother

Common Concerns that Affect Dental Care for an Expecting Mother Include:

Protect Your Lips from the Sun

Protect Your Lips from the Sun

Use Lip Balm to Protect Your Lips

Sunburned Lip Care

Lyme Disease Head and Neck Symptoms

Lyme Disease Head and Neck Symptoms Include:

Is spicy food bad for your teeth? – South Tampa Dentist

Is spicy food bad for your teeth?

Feliz Cinco de Mayo from your South Tampa Dentist Staff at South Tampa Smiles!

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