St. Pete Smiles, wishing you a safe and relaxing Memorial Day weekend

Memorial Day weekend, a time to remember and honor the men and women lost while serving for our country. Memorial Day is also the unofficial start of summer, and for many folks in St. Petersburg, Largo and Seminole, getting out of town for three days after being cooped up in the classroom or the office spells sweet, sweet relief.

What about you? What are you up to this Memorial Day weekend? Whether you are headed to a barbecue, a camping trip, or just hitting the great American open roads, we’d like to hear all about it!

Our entire team at St. Pete Smiles wishes you a happy, safe and relaxing Memorial Day weekend!

What, exactly, are wisdom teeth?

Wisdom teeth are a type of molar that is found in the very back of your mouth and are the last molars to develop. There are four wisdom teeth: upper left, upper right, lower left, and lower right. These teeth usually appear in late teens or early twenties but may become impacted (fail to erupt) due to lack of room in the jaw or angle of entry. The removal of wisdom teeth has become so commonplace that it is almost a rite of passage for young adults.

Dr. Bracy will tell you that when a tooth is impacted, it may need to be removed. If it is not removed, you may develop gum tenderness, swelling, or even severe pain. Impacted wisdom teeth that are partially or fully erupted tend to be quite difficult to clean and are susceptible to tooth decay, recurring infections, and yes, even gum disease.

In addition to visiting our website with any questions you may have about wisdom teeth, our friends at WebMD have developed a helpful explanation about wisdom teeth and how they impact your health. Also, feel free to give us a call with any questions you have or ask us on Facebook!

Meet Marsha, St. Pete Smiles' Returning Dental Hygienist!

Please join us in giving Marsha a warm St. Pete Smiles welcome. She will be joining us as a dental hygienist. Marsha was a part of the St. Pete Smiles team about 10 years ago, until she left to start a family. Married with 2 daughters now, we are thrilled that we had an opening at the time she wished to return to dentistry.

Welcome back, Marsha!

St. Pete Smiles celebrates Secretary's Day

Last week, Dr. Bracy treated our staff at St. Pete Smiles to a delicious, extended lunch at the Vinoy in celebration of Secretary's Day. In our office, we not only honor our receptionist, Susie, for all her hard work and dedication throughout the year, but we make this our day to honor our assistant and hygienists as well. In addition to the wonderful meal, everyone received a lovely artisan crafted bracelet, each with a unique, beautiful natural stone. Our staff is truly a team when in comes to providing the best care possible for our patients.

Staff Spotlight: Welcome Becky to St. Pete Smiles!

Dr. Bracy and our team are excited to welcome Becky as a new staff member at St. Pete Smiles. We are thrilled to have Becky as one of our hygienists. She has been practicing dental hygiene for 11 years now and has been an orthodontic assistant for 16 years. Becky is married, and has a 4 year old son.

Be sure to say "hello" to Becky at your next appointment!

Play it safe this spring, from St. Pete Smiles

With spring here, many children, teens and adults in Saint Petersburg, Florida will once again pick up the ball, bring the bat out of seasonal retirement, and lace up their cleats to hit the fields for the return of spring sports! April is National Facial Protection Month, and during this time, Dr. Bracy and our dedicated team urge our young athletes to play it safe when out on the field. According to the National Youth Sports Safety Foundation, children, high-school athletes and adults will have more than 5,000,000 teeth knocked out in sporting events this year.

Protective gear is vital for anyone engaging in tooth or mouth-threatening activities. We recommend that patients wear mouth guards, helmets, and any other appropriate facial protection. Please contact St. Pete Smiles if you have any questions. Stay safe and have fun!

April marks Oral Cancer Awareness Month

Visiting Dr. Bracy regularly will not only help keep your teeth and mouth healthy, but will also help keep the rest of your body healthy. The fact is, every hour of every day in the U.S., someone dies of oral cancer, which is the sixth-most common diagnosed form of the disease. The five-year survival rate is only 50 percent, and oral cancer is one of the few cancers whose survival rate has not improved. Since April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month, Dr. Bracy would like to take this opportunity to remind all of our patients about the importance of visiting our office for regular checkups and maintaining good oral hygiene.

As a dentist, Dr. Bracy is a specialist who works to diagnose, treat, and prevent oral health problems. Please let us now if you have any questions about your oral health during your next appointment. Take care of your teeth, and smile bright!