07/May/2024

Here at South Tampa Smiles, we want to say thank you to each of our patients that help make our practice so special. We are grateful for each and every one of you and your wonderful smiles. We wish all of you the best holiday season possible.

Of course we all like to splurge on our Thanksgiving Day feast and have an abundance and variety of our favorite foods. There are some foods that are not only delicious, but are quite healthy. Because we focus on the oral health of our patients, we would like to share some Thanksgiving Day foods that are good for your teeth.

Turkey

Turkey is the big staple of this Holiday and it’s very good for your teeth. It is loaded with protein and has the highest amount of phosphorus, which rebuilds hydroxyapatite matrices (enamel) that have been damaged from acid-producing bacteria.

Spinach

For those that perhaps do not eat meat, you can still get a good source of protein from green leafy vegetables. Spinach has an abundance of protein and is a good source of iron and Vitamin A. Spinach has a large amount of oxalic acid so it may leave a fuzzy feeling in your mouth. Just rinse with water if this is bothersome.

Sweet Potatoes & Mashed Potatoes

There are a good amount of vitamins in potatoes. Even though they are starchy, they do not stick to your teeth like many other starchy foods that are a haven for bacteria.

Dairy Products

Mashed potatoes wouldn’t be the same without some creamy milk in the mix. Milk has calcium, which is great from your teeth. Dairy is also low in acidity and sugar so indulge in a nice helping or two.

Cranberries

Cranberries are tart and juicy and are loaded with nutrients such as vitamin C, Vitamin A, beta-carotene, and potassium. They help prevent tooth decay by interfering with bacteria’s ability to stick to your teeth and forming dental plaque.

Pumpkin

Pumpkin, carrots and squash (orange foods) are rich in Vitamin A. Our bodies use Vitamin A to form tooth enamel. They are also a good source of minerals like copper, calcium and phosphorus, which protects your gums. Calcium also helps in the development and re-mineralization of teeth.

We hope you found our article “Thanksgiving Day Foods That Are Good for Your Teeth” helpful. Thanksgiving is even more joyful when our loved ones are healthy and happy. Be sure not to let the busy holiday season distract you from keeping your teeth in great health. Schedule your next dental appointment with us at (813) 289 – 0560.

Happy Thanksgiving from South Tampa Smiles!

Dr. Cannariato

07/May/2024

Top 5 Healthy Halloween Dental Tips

Parents should be mindful of the effects of Halloween treats on overall health without spoiling all of the enjoyment for your children. We have compiled a list of our favorite Healthy Halloween Dental Tips to help keep your children’s smile healthy during the Halloween season and all year. Our Top 5 Healthy Halloween Dental Tips:

Timing Your Sweet Indulgences:
Eat Halloween candy after mealtime. Your salivary glands are kicked in gear when you have a meal. The production of saliva helps to naturally rinse the food particles away. This also helps rid the bacteria from the sugary foods that can cause tooth decay.
Staying Properly Hydrated:
Drinking plenty of water each day not only keeps you hydrated, it keeps your teeth strong. Drinking water helps flush away debris and bacteria that are harmful if left to grow and flourish. Make water your primary source for hydration and stay away from sweet drinks. Sweet beverages keep the teeth in frequent contact with sugar increasing the risk of tooth decay.
Eating Nutritious Meals:
Diets high in sugar are dangerous not to your overall wellness, but also can wreak havoc on your teeth. Teaching your children the importance of healthy eating habits will keep them fueled-up and help keep their teeth and gums in top shape.
Choosing Your Sweets:
Just as the time you choose to enjoy your sweet treats is important, the length of time these sugary foods remain in your mouth plays a role as well. Hard candies that you hold in your mouth for a longer time keep your teeth saturated in sugar. Also, sticky candies cling to your teeth such as taffy and gummy bears. These stickier candies take longer to get washed away by saliva and increase the risk of tooth decay. Softer sweets that dissolve quickly are more favorable.
Brushing Twice a Day:
Lastly, we always encourage proper oral hygiene as one of the top picks to maintaining oral health during any holiday season and all year long. Brushing twice a day and flossing between the teeth will ensure that the plaque that has accumulated throughout the day has been properly removed.

South Tampa Smiles would like to wish everyone a Happy Halloween. We encourage everyone to enjoy the sweeter things in life while maintaining long-lasting dental health. Be sure to keep your dental checkups every 6 months and stay on top of your professional cleanings, x-rays and examinations. Call us today for further questions or to schedule your dental checkup at (813) 289 – 0560.

Dr. Cannariato

07/May/2024

There are many everyday habits that may seem perfectly harmless, but in fact can actually cause damage to your overall oral health. Chewing ice is one of those routine habits that can cause some major dental problems. Understanding the potential harmful effects may keep you from biting down on an ice cube and save you from unnecessary dental problems.

Chewing Ice & Tooth Damage

Chewing ice can cause microscopic fractures in enamel that can become larger and even broken teeth. Your teeth are made of enamel and dentin. The enamel is the hard surface that is exposed and covers the dentin underneath that is not as hard. Chewing on ice can wear down and weaken the enamel of your teeth, which can cause cracking. If the enamel is cracked and dentin is exposed, your teeth can become weakened and sensitive because within the dentin is the nerve of the tooth. This could also lead to increase sensitivity to hot and cold and make your teeth more vulnerable to decay.

Dental Work

In addition to the harmful effects to the teeth, you run the risk of damaging your dental work. Fillings, crowns and other previous dental work may weaken the tooth and cause it to chip more easily. This could lead to further and more extensive dental work needed and even more time in the dental chair. You’ve spent the time and money to make your smile healthy, you will want to lessen any danger of harming your beautiful smile.|

Gum Damage From Chewing Ice

The pieces of ice can become sharp as they are broken down in your mouth. This causes potential cuts on the soft tissues inside your mouth. Constantly chewing on ice and pressing down on the gums could cause injury to your gums and potentially lead to gum recession. Chewing sugar-free gum may help fight the urge of chewing and lessen the risk of puncturing your gums and causing serious damage.

Underlying Medical Concerns

The desire to chew ice cubes may be due to underlying medical conditions. Studies have shown that people with the iron deficiency anemia, nutritional deficiencies, obsessive compulsive disorder, emotional and developmental disorders may be more likely to chew on ice. If you have the consistent urge to chew on ice, it is a good idea to seek medical attention and rule out any underlying health issues.

Contact South Tampa Smiles at (813) 289 – 0560 today if you believe your habit has caused damage to your teeth or need a checkup to protect your teeth and your beautiful smile!

Dr. Cannariato

07/May/2024

Having hypersensitive teeth is a common experience with symptoms ranging from moderate to severe. It is caused by the movement of fluid within tiny tubes located in the dentin (the layer of tissue found beneath the hard enamel that contains the inner pulp), which results in nerve irritation. Finding the underlying cause is important to help alleviate the sensitivity.

Dentin Exposure (Receding Gums)

Exposure of Dentin is the most common underlying cause. Dentin is the area that surrounds the root of the tooth. It is normally covered by gum tissue. Hypersensitive teeth can occur when the gums recede and expose part of the dentin. This becomes more common as we age. Read more on aging and oral health for more information on other dental processes that can develop with age.

Other Common Causes

Sometimes sensitivity may be caused by certain activities other factors including:

Teeth Grinding
Brushing too Hard
Eating Acidic Foods
Decay
Cracked Tooth

If you have had recent dental procedures it is common to have some sensitivity that will diminish in time and should be of no concern. Dental treatments that may cause temporary hypersensitive teeth including:

Recent Fillings, Crowns,
Placement and Adjustment of Braces
Periodontal Treatment
Teeth Whitening

Treatment for Hypersensitive Teeth

Treatment for hypersensitive teeth can range from simple home treatments to office treatments and surgical procedures. You may be able to alleviate your discomfort by using desensitizing toothpaste for sensitive teeth at home. If using desensitizing toothpaste does not ease your discomfort, there are in-office fluoride treatments that can help. When your discomfort is due to an underlying dental problem, you will need office treatment such as a filling or crown. If your sensitivity is due to the loss of gum tissue, you may need a surgical gum graft to cover the root. This will protect the tooth and reduce the sensitivity. When the sensitivity is severe and cannot be alleviated by other means, you may need endodontic treatment (root canal) to eliminate the pain.

Getting Help

The first step to correct your hypersensitive teeth is to determine your cause. Whether it is due to exposure of dentin or an underlying cause such as decay or abscess, corrective measures are needed. Our professional team at South Tampa Smiles can help. Contact us at (813) 289 – 0560 if you are experiencing pain due to hypersensitive teeth. We are here to provide you with some relief!

Source: Ada.org

#hypersensitiveteeth

#sensitiveteeth

#sensitivity

#dentalpain

#toothsensitivity

Dr. Cannariato

07/May/2024

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

07/May/2024

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

07/May/2024

More Effective Than Brushing Alone

Flossing your teeth helps clean the areas of the teeth that a toothbrush cannot access. Regular flossing helps break up the bacterial plaque and keep the bacteria from colonizing. If plaque is left to organize, it can create a pathogen-rich environment in your mouth leaving you at risk for developing dental and gum related diseases or even systemic illnesses.

Prevents Buildup of Plaque

Plaque is the sticky soft film that can harden into Tartar buildup if left undisturbed for a period of time. Once this film hardens into tartar, it must be removed in the dental office. Preventing plaque from hardening into tartar can be achieved more effectively with proper brushing along with flossing the surfaces between the teeth and along the gum line.

Fresher Breath

Battling with offensive smells coming from your mouth? The bacteria in plaque and food particles left in between the teeth can cause bad breath. Flossing the areas your toothbrush cannot reach helps getting rid of this smelly plaque.

Healthier Gums

Flossing is important for the removal of the bacterial film along the gum line. Without regular bushing and flossing, you are at risk of developing infection, and possibly disease of the structures that support your teeth in your mouth. Gum infections known as gingivitis can lead to gum disease, or periodontitis, which can eventually cause tooth loss.

Prevents Serious Diseases

If bacteria is left to flourish in your mouth, it can have harmful effects on your overall health. Research has shown that bacteria in the mouth can lead to respiratory illnesses, diabetes and heart disease. Improving your oral health plays a major role in your overall health.

Brighter Smile

To keep your teeth white and shiny, incorporate flossing into your daily routine. Flossing helps remove stains from the teeth caused by the food and drinks we consume. It helps remove food particles and prevent unsightly staining resulting in a healthier and brighter smile.

Regular dental cleanings are an important part in maintaining optimum oral and overall health. Contact South Tampa Smiles today at (813) 289 – 0560 to schedule your checkup and cleaning.

#flossing

#oralheath

#plaque

#stainedteeth

Newer Posts

Thanksgiving Day Foods That Are Good for Your Teeth

Turkey

Spinach

Sweet Potatoes & Mashed Potatoes

Dairy Products

Cranberries

Pumpkin