27/Dec/2024

Dr. Rebecca Benedict is a native Floridian, and attended the University of Florida where she obtained her BS in Microbiology and Cell Science with an additional concentration in Chemistry. While at the University of Florida, she was named a University Scholar for her work in cancer research at Shands Hospital. After obtaining her undergraduate degree, Dr. Benedict elected to attend Nova Southeastern University in Ft Lauderdale to obtain her Doctorate in Dental Medicine. She has since furthered her education through her alma mater, the University of Florida, with additional training in implant surgery. Dr. Benedict has also earned a fellowship with the International College of Oral Implantologists.

She remains involved in continuing education, staying at the forefront of dental research and technology. Dr. Benedict also has additional training in Relaxation Dentistry with DOCS Education, and has been published by both the American Association for Dental Research and the International Association for Dental Research.

Active memberships include: American Dental Association (ADA), Florida Dental Association (FDA), West Coast District Dental Association (WCDDA), Hillsborough County Dental Association (HCDA), International Congress of Oral Implantologists (ICOI), Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), and the Seattle Study Club.

Dr. Benedict strives for excellence and believes in providing her patients with the highest quality care possible.

When not at the office, Dr. Benedict believes in giving back to the community. She is an active volunteer through the Junior League of Tampa, and wants to eventually establish a nonprofit foundation benefitting the Tampa Bay area. She also can be found renovating her 1920’s home, which has proven to be an ongoing project and source of enjoyment.

Contact South Tampa Smiles at (813) 289 – 0560 for further questions about dental implants or to schedule your next dental visit. Our friendly staff is ready to assist you.


27/Dec/2024

Valentine’s Day is the special day for everyone can spend time with our special someone or express love and appreciation to our loved ones and dearest friends. It is a time to enjoy a night at the movie, dinner at your favorite restaurant, or simply sharing a big box of chocolates. Many people like to show affection by gifting sugary treats to their loved ones. The South Tampa Smiles staff would like to spread awareness that everyone can celebrate the holiday in a healthier way by making dark chocolate your confection of choice.

 

Choosing Your Chocolate

Chocolate candy can be enjoyed in moderation without damaging the health of your teeth. Choosing dark chocolate is a great way to treat your self this Valentine’s Day without any feeling of guilt. Dark chocolate has some surprising health benefits. The antioxidants in dark chocolate are believed to be good for your heart and even lower blood pressure. It is also better for your teeth than some other sticky candies such as taffy or caramel. These types of candies are more likely to get stuck in between the teeth and put you at risk of developing cavities. When you choose your chocolate, try opting for the plain varieties. They do not contain the sticky ingredients that could get lodged in the crevices and remain on the teeth for a much longer period of time.

Enjoy in moderation

Most of us have the mindset of “save some for later” and continue nibbling on our chocolatey treats for several days. So instead of enjoying the candy for a brief time and brushing right away, we repeatedly expose our teeth to sugar. It is this constant exposure of sugar that damages the teeth rather than the amount. It is easy to make health conscious decisions for your sweetheart, friends, and loved ones. Offer them sweet indulgences that have hidden health benefits and less damaging to their oral health.

We encourage everyone to enjoy the sweeter things in life while maintaining long-lasting dental health. Keep your smiles in top health with regular dental visits along with your at-home routine.  Call us today at (813) 289 – 0560 to schedule your next dental exam, cleaning and x-rays.

Happy Valentine’s Day from South Tampa Smiles!

For further reading on candy and oral health,
Read Top 5 Healthy Halloween Dental Tips

 


27/Dec/2024

Wisdom teeth are the third molars located in the very back of your teeth. They typically erupt during late teen years and early twenties. Often times, there may not be enough room for your wisdom teeth to break through. They may all come in fully, be partially impacted, or fully impacted. Some of the tooth is visible when it is partially impacted and part of the tooth is still underneath your gums. The tooth is fully impacted if it never erupted through the soft tissue and is not visible.

Impacted wisdom teeth may never show any signs or symptoms and go unnoticed. However, they also can cause a multitude of problems that must be addressed.

Common signs and symptoms of impacted wisdom teeth include:
  • Overcrowded Teeth – making it difficult to clean properly and more susceptible to tooth decay and gum disease
  • Pain – mild to severe discomfort such as headaches, pain when chewing, tender gums, and difficulty opening your mouth
  • Swelling – the soft tissue around the un-erupted tooth or swollen jaw area
  • Halitosis (Bad Breath) – typically related to swelling or the inability to properly clean crowded teeth
Treatment for Impacted Wisdom Teeth

Many times, patients will need to have wisdom teeth extracted under local anesthesia. Sometimes, a simple surgical procedure is needed for impacted wisdom teeth. For dental x-rays and an examination by Dr. Cannariato, call South Tampa Smiles at (813) 289 – 0560 to determine if you have impacted wisdom teeth and to discuss your treatment options.

Our friendly staff is ready to assist you with all of your dental needs. Don’t hesitate to call us for further information, questions and appointment scheduling. We are conveniently located on Henderson Ave. by the Kahwa and CVS in South Tampa, FL.

For further reading on impacted wisdom teeth, visit MayoClinic.com.


27/Dec/2024

Vitamin D & Your Oral HealthMost of us are aware of the importance of calcium for strong bones and teeth. But many people remain unaware that calcium and vitamin D go hand-in-hand. Vitamin D helps with the absorption of calcium in your body. Your body will naturally absorb calcium as it is, but with vitamin D, it will exhaust the resource and help your body in the absorption process. Calcium and vitamin D contribute to less bone loss, which also means lower rates of tooth loss.

How Much Vitamin D Do You Need?

The American Dietetic Associations’ recommended daily value is 2,500 mg/day of calcium and 1,000 units/day of vitamin D. Many of us struggle to meet these minimum requirements. There are many sources to increase your intake of vitamin D including:

  • Dairy Products
  • Dark Green Leafy Vegetables
  • Almond
  • Salmon (Fatty Fish)
  • Soy & Rice Drinks

Who Is Deficient?

Seniors, that may have a problem absorbing the nutrients in their food, are more likely to become vitamin D deficient. Also, there are certain medical conditions that keep younger people from absorbing nutrients. Your doctor can test you for vitamin deficiency and determine how you should be treated. Dr. Cannariato can identify oral problems and help to determine whether a vitamin deficiency is the cause.

We, at South Tampa Smiles, encourage our patients to make sure you are getting the recommended daily values to keep your teeth strong and healthy. Be sure to stay on top of your professional cleanings and regular checkups. For your next dental appointment, call us at (813) 289 – 0560.

 

Source: WebMD.com


27/Dec/2024

The Gasparilla Pirate Fest is an historic Tampa Bay celebration since 1904. The celebration includes a reenactment of an invasion of the city by the mythical Spanish pirate Jose Gaspar. The event offers a Children’s Extravanga on a separate weekend than the invasion events. For further information on the children’s event, read Gasparilla Season – Children’s Parade. Gasparilla events include a pre-invasion celebration, a Gasparilla invasion, and the Parade of Pirates.


Pre-Invasion Celebration

Friday January 29, 2016 is the Gasparilla pre-invasion celebration at 5 pm at the Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park in Downtown Tampa. There will be live music entertainment featuring The Swon Brothers, Howie Day, and The Hip Abduction. The gates will open at 5 pm with The Hip Abduction playing at 6 pm. The Swon Brothers will take the stage at 9 pm. For general admission (lawn seating) ticket information visit GasparillaPirateFest.com.

The Gasparilla Invasion

“Land, ho! Hoist the mizzen ‘n’ set sail for Tampa!”

Shouts from the legendary pirate Jose Gaspar and his band of marauding buccaneers will ring out across the waters of Hillsborough Bay as they return to invade the City of Tampa.

Source: GasparillaPirateFest.com

The Gasparilla Invasion will be Saturday January 30 from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm. Jose Gasparilla, the worlds only fully rigged pirate ship will invade the city at the south end of Hillsborough Bay. Numerous vessels join forces with Gasparilla Flotilla to defend the city. They move across Hillsborough Bay and into Seddon Channel. This marks the beginning of the invasion. Canons fire from the ship as The Gasparilla Flotilla travels the Seddon Channel towards downtown. The Gasparilla Flotilla will dock at the Tampa Convention Center at 1 pm where the Mayor surrender the Key to the City of Tampa into the hands of the Captain of Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla.

The Parade of Pirates begins as the Krewe celebrates their victory through the streets of the city.

Parade of Pirates

With the key to the city in hand, the pirates parade down Bayshore Boulevard and share their wealth by handing out glittering beads and other treasures. The Parade of Pirates is 3.8 miles and will be lively and colorful with floats, marching bands, the Krewe, and the infamous YMKG pirates. This is a free event, but there are reserved seating for the bleachers available for purchase.

For tickets and further information about the Gasparilla Pirate Fest events, go to GasparillaPirateFest.com or follow them on facebook to keep up with all the activities and events.

We, at South Tampa Smiles, hope you can enjoy this 2016 Gasparilla Pirate Fest and remember your family’s dental checkups. Give us a call at (813) 289 – 0560 to make your appointment with Dr. John Cannariato, your South Tampa Dentist.

 


27/Dec/2024

All Hands Hoay! This January 23, 2016 marks the return of the Gasparilla Season to Tampa Bay with The Children’s Gasparilla Extravaganza. The Children’s Parade has been a part of the event since 1947. The parade route is the same as The Parade of Pirates along the beautiful Bayshore Blvd. in South Tampa. This is an alcohol free event, so put on your pirate gear and take the kids out and enjoy the parade and festivities.

Explore all the fun activities with your little buccaneers and enjoy all the entertainment the Gasparilla event has to offer. As the floats ride past, the marchers will hand out a bounty of beads, soft footballs, pirates’ “gold”, and CANDY! The entire staff of South Tampa Smiles would like to wish all the families a wonderful time and experience this event to the fullest. But, Pirates aren’t exactly known for their bright and healthy smiles. All those sugary sweets throughout the day, without proper brushing, can lead to tooth decay. Keeping around some water can help rinse away some of the sugar on the teeth until you can get to brush and take care of them properly after all the fun.

Keeping that “pirate smile” at bay and ensuring your children’s smiles stay healthy and bright is a real treasure. Enjoy this 2016 Gasparilla Season and remember your family’s dental checkups. Give us a call at (813) 289 – 0560 to make your appointment with Dr. John Cannariato, your South Tampa Dentist.


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