23
Oct
Family dental care that lifts the health of the Seminole community, one smile at a time
Boulevard Dental is proud to be a community steward. Every day, we strive to lift our communities by elevating their overall health through oral health. The Seminole office is led by our dental team of Drs. Chris Wujick and Lester Castillo, while Dr. Jason Kopakin leads our Clearwater office. Dr. Skyler Clark is available at both office locations. They and their families take advantage of all the culture, cuisine, and activities that our area has to offer, and they also strive to make our communities a better place through causes like the ‘Pinellas County Give Kids a Smile’ program. We look forward to welcoming you and those you love most to our “dental family.”
Is my child too young to visit the dentist?
They are likely not too young. The recommendations from industry associations like the American Dental Association note that children should have their mouths examined by a dentist for the first time within six months of the first tooth coming in or erupting. And, since the first tooth usually appears at around six months of age, that means the first appointment is ideally scheduled around their first birthday.
Why should my child visit the dentist when their baby teeth will just fall out?
Baby teeth are temporary, yes, but they are also very important. Our dentists need to check that your child’s teeth and other tissues are developing properly. Baby teeth help to guide the permanent teeth into their healthy positions. If these teeth are not cared for properly and fall out prematurely, your child’s secondary teeth can grow in crooked or out of alignment. It may require costly and time-consuming orthodontic care to fix the problem when early monitoring and care could have prevented the misalignment in the first place.
Can my child benefit from sealants?
Sealants are a good idea. They protect the back teeth, where most cavities form. Think of sealants as coverings that keep the bad stuff (harmful bacteria, plaque) out. We generally recommend that they be applied as soon as those back teeth are visible, and that’s usually around the age of six. That way, food particles never have a chance to get caught in the grooves and uneven surfaces that tend to trap these disease-causing substances. When foods get caught like this, it’s a breeding ground for harmful bacteria and plaque that feed off the starches and sugars in those foods. Adult members of your family may benefit from sealants, too. They aren’t just for children. As you get older, you may experience challenges to your health that you never had before. These challenges could be due to medical conditions and the medications used to treat them. These changes may affect your ability to consistently care for your teeth and increase your risk of developing oral problems like cavity-causing dry mouth. Think of dental sealants as a fast, non-invasive, and low-cost “ally” in your lifelong journey of oral care.
Won’t I just lose my teeth as I get older?
Not on our watch! Tooth loss is not a foregone conclusion as we age. For many people, all it takes is maintaining checkups every six months. These checkups involve our dentists examining your mouth. No checkup would be complete without a professional cleaning. We also stay on top of any changes to your mouth. So, if you do have changes that could put you at an increased risk of tooth decay or gum disease, we can identify those quickly and recommend things like sealants or modifications to your oral care routine/products. That way, we stay ahead of damage to your teeth. You can keep your natural teeth for life by making preventive visits scheduled at least twice a year at our offices in Seminole or Clearwater, FL, a priority and a part of your healthy lifestyle and self-care.
Is it true that oral health problems can cause diseases like diabetes?
There is an undeniable relationship between conditions like diabetes and oral problems, such as advanced gum disease.
Research indicates that there are two connections:
- Systemic diseases like diabetes can make you more susceptible to developing oral inflammation and infections
- Oral inflammation and infections can make existing diagnoses, such as Type 2 diabetes, worse by affecting things like your blood sugar levels
For this reason, during every checkup, be prepared to discuss changes in your health, including prescription medications, OTC drugs, and supplements that you may have started to take since your last visit. This is not to be intrusive; it’s all about understanding those factors that can influence your oral health and how your oral health can also affect any diseases that you may acquire over time. Boulevard Dental is elevating the overall health of the Seminole and Clearwater, FL community, one smile at a time.
To schedule your checkup with Drs. Wujick, Castillo or Clark, call our Seminole office at (727) 308-6224. To see Drs. Kopakin or Clark in Clearwater, call (727) 758-2898. We accommodate urgent needs quickly, often same day, and also have Spanish speakers on staff.
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Skyler Clark, DMD
Dr. Skyler Clark graduated with a perfect 4.00 GPA from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine and received the Academy of General Dentistry Senior Student Dental Award. Furthering his expertise, he completed an AEGD at the University of Florida. Dr. Clark excels in various dental procedures, from implants to Invisalign. He prioritizes trust and empathy in his patient relationships and is dedicated to ongoing education to deliver top-quality care.
Christopher Wujick, DMD
Dr. Christopher Wujick earned his B.S. in Molecular and Cellular Biology from the University of Florida and completed his DMD. at their College of Dentistry in 2004. A dedicated academic, he stays current with hundreds of hours in continuing education across all areas of dentistry. Dr. Wujick is a Past President of the Tampa Bay and Florida Academies of General Dentistry. An active member of the Pinellas County Dental Association, ADA, AGD, and Florida Dental Association, he has served the Pinellas County Health Department since 2005 and organized the Give Kids a Smile program for three years.
Dr. Jason Kopakin
Dr. Jason Kopakin is a graduate of the University of Florida, where he earned both his bachelor’s degree and dental degree. He has advanced training and experience in implant restorations, Invisalign®, and cosmetic dentistry. Dr. Kopakin is a dedicated member of the Academy of General Dentistry, American Dental Association, and Florida Dental Association. He also served as the past president of the Tampa Bay Academy of General Dentistry, demonstrating his commitment to advancing the field of dentistry.
Dr. Lester Castillo
Dr. Lester Castillo has a Bachelor’s Degree in Biomedical Science from the University of South Florida and earned his dental degree from the University of Florida in 2019. He has completed advanced training with a focus on Implant Dentistry and incorporates digital dentistry into his practice. His specialties include prevention, crowns and bridges, dentures, root canals, fillings, extractions, and implants. Dr. Castillo is passionate about continuing education and has completed a Fellowship with the International Congress of Oral Implantologists (ICOI).