Dr. Alexa Fritz, DMD

Dr. Alexa Fritz, DMD is a Preventive Dentistry specialist dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive preventive dental care. As a partner in preventive health featured on weprevent.org, she practices at Merchants Way Dental Care in Jacksonville, FL, and is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine, practicing under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). General Preventive Dentistry serves as your primary partner in lifelong oral health, creating personalized plans to prevent cavities and gum disease, coordinating necessary screenings, and managing your overall wellness to ensure optimal oral and systemic health. She is committed to providing this vital care to all ages and is currently welcoming new patients to begin their proactive health journey. Please call (904) 290-8645 to schedule. Dr. Fritz is a member of the American Dental Association, the Florida Dental Association, Academy of General Dentistry, and the Northeast District Dental Association. Using her extensive training as a member of American Academy of Facial Esthetics, she is able to use botulinum toxin to help patients with issues such as chronic migraines, TMD, and of course helping them achieve beautiful smiles. While she was born in Wisconsin, Jacksonville has been Dr. Fritz's home for more than 10 years. Outside the office, you will find Dr. Fritz spending quality time with family and friends. She is an avid sports fan and especially enjoys playing tennis! Volunteering in the community is another passion. During her free time, she volunteers with the Florida Mission of Mercy and supports the local arts. My mission is to provide the best dental care possible and to do so with genuine enthusiasm, passion, and commitment to quality. It's my goal to create meaningful relationships with our patients and inspire them to maintain a lifetime of healthy, beautiful smiles. Dr. Alexa DMD provides consultations primarily in English.

A key part of the WePrevent mission is building your personalized prevention roadmap. Dr. Alexa DMD is a vital partner in this journey, focusing on proactive strategies to protect and enhance your long-term health.

By working together, you and Dr. Alexa DMD can create a clear, actionable plan to address your unique risk factors and health goals.

A proactive approach to health involves understanding and managing potential risks. Dr. Alexa DMD provides expert care for a range of conditions, focusing on early detection and effective management to support your long-term wellness. Common areas of focus include:

• Gum Disease: Gum disease, or periodontal disease, is a preventable infection that damages the gums and bone supporting your teeth, and early detection through regular checkups is key to preventing serious complications.
• Tooth Loss: Preventing tooth loss starts with regular dental checkups and good oral hygiene to catch problems early and avoid major issues down the line.
• Mouth Conditions: Maintaining good oral hygiene prevents many mouth conditions, reducing your risk of cavities, gum disease, and other serious health problems.
• Swollen Gums: Preventing swollen gums starts with diligent brushing and flossing to remove plaque and bacteria, reducing your risk of gum inflammation and infection.
• Clicking of Temporomandibular Joint: Catching clicking in your jaw joint early can help avoid severe TMJ problems; schedule an appointment with your dentist to assess and manage it.
• Tender Gums: Tender gums can be a sign of early gum disease, so addressing them promptly helps prevent more serious problems like tooth loss.
• Dental Trauma: Addressing dental trauma promptly and effectively helps prevent secondary infections and complications such as bone loss or facial deformities, maintaining healthy oral structures.
• Receding Gums: Protecting your gums from recession through proper oral hygiene is a key component of preventative dental care, safeguarding your smile and overall well-being.
• Tooth Discoloration: Tooth discoloration can be an early warning sign of underlying oral health issues, so addressing it promptly helps prevent more serious problems.
• Gingivitis: Inflamed gums, a sign of gingivitis, can be reversed with diligent brushing and flossing, protecting your teeth and overall health.
• Canker Sore: Though often benign, recurring or unusually severe canker sores warrant a dental checkup to rule out any underlying oral health problems and prevent complications.
• Tooth Malformation: Malformed teeth can be more prone to chipping, cracking, and decay, making preventive care, including regular cleanings and protective sealants, even more crucial.

This list highlights some common health concerns and is for informational purposes only. The best way to understand your personal health and create a prevention plan is to schedule a consultation. Accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment plans are developed based on individual patient evaluations.

Taking proactive steps is central to long-term health. Dr. Alexa DMD offers a range of key preventive screenings and services designed to provide crucial insights into your health and support your well-being:

• Amalgam Dental Fillings: Amalgam fillings are a durable way to restore teeth damaged by decay, proactively preventing further infection and preserving your natural smile.
• Cosmetic Procedure: Improving your smile's appearance through cosmetic procedures can motivate you to maintain better oral hygiene, preventing future problems.
• Dental Cleaning: Protect your smile and overall health with professional dental cleanings, which screen for early signs of gum disease and cavities.
• Dental Crown: A dental crown is a restorative procedure that protects a weakened or damaged tooth, serving as a proactive measure to prevent further complications and support long-term oral health.
• Dental Hygiene Services: Take proactive steps toward a healthier smile by scheduling regular dental hygiene services to detect and prevent cavities and gum disease.
• Dental Implant: Investing in a dental implant is a proactive step in preserving your facial structure and preventing the common issues related to missing teeth.
• Root Canal: By addressing severe inflammation and infection within the tooth's root, root canal therapy significantly reduces the risk of painful complications like abscesses and prevents future dental issues.
• Teeth Whitening: Brighten your smile and boost your confidence with teeth whitening, a simple step towards maintaining overall oral health.
• Tooth-Conserving Dentistry: Protecting your natural teeth is key to your overall health, and tooth-conserving dentistry provides the necessary preventive and restorative care to achieve that.

Service availability can change, and not all services listed may be appropriate for every patient. For a comprehensive understanding of all available services and to create your personalized screening plan, please schedule a consultation.

All medical services are provided in accordance with the standard scope of practice for Preventive Dentistry Services in Florida.

Dr. Alexa DMD is dedicated to partnering with Dental Caregivers to achieve their unique health objectives. The following examples illustrate how a proactive approach can make a tangible difference in a Patient's life:

• By attending regular checkups and following a personalized oral hygiene plan, a patient successfully prevented gum disease, maintaining a healthy smile and overall well-being.
• By diligently following a preventive dentistry plan, a patient successfully avoided the need for extensive dental work, maintaining a healthy and confident smile for years to come. Regular checkups and excellent oral hygiene allowed them to proactively address potential issues before they became major problems.
• By consistently practicing good oral hygiene and attending regular checkups, a family significantly reduced their risk of developing mouth conditions, enjoying a healthier smile and increased peace of mind.

These scenarios are illustrative examples of positive health outcomes. Individual results may vary and depend on many factors specific to each patient. She will work with you to define and achieve your personal health goals.

Here are answers to some common questions about proactive Preventive Dental care with Dr. Alexa DMD:

How often should I visit the dentist for a check-up and cleaning?

At Dr. Alexa DMD, we recommend visiting every six months for a check-up and cleaning. This allows us to remove tartar buildup that brushing misses, catch cavities early, and screen for gum disease and oral cancer.

Why are routine dental cleanings so important for prevention?

Even with excellent brushing and flossing, plaque hardens into tartar that only a professional cleaning can remove. This is crucial for preventing cavities and, critically, gum disease, which is linked to other health problems.

How is oral health connected to my overall health?

Oral health is intrinsically linked to overall health. Chronic gum inflammation (periodontitis) has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and poorly controlled diabetes. Regular preventive dental care is essential for maintaining not only a healthy mouth, but also a healthy body.

Are dental X-rays safe, and why do I need them?

Yes, modern digital dental X-rays are very safe, using extremely low levels of radiation. They allow Dr. Alexa DMD to see issues like cavities, bone loss, and impacted teeth that aren't visible otherwise, enabling early intervention and better oral health.

What are dental sealants, and who should get them?

Dental sealants are a thin, protective plastic coating applied to the chewing surfaces of back teeth. They are a powerful preventive tool, primarily for children and teenagers, that seals out food and plaque to prevent cavities from forming in the deep grooves of the teeth.

Can you help with snoring or sleep apnea?

Dr. Alexa DMD can help some patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea. We can create a custom-fitted oral appliance to keep your airway open while you sleep, offering a comfortable alternative to CPAP. This is a common and effective treatment option for many patients.

How can I whiten my teeth safely?

The safest and most effective way to whiten your teeth is under professional supervision. Dr. Alexa DMD can assess your oral health to ensure you're a good candidate and offer professional-grade treatments, like custom trays or in-office procedures, for better and safer results than over-the-counter products.

When should my child first see a dentist?

Dr. Alexa DMD recommends a child's first dental visit within six months of their first tooth erupting, or by their first birthday. This early visit is crucial for ensuring proper tooth development and establishing a positive dental home for future care.

Merchants Way Dental Care
8324 Merchants Way Unit 9
Jacksonville FL 32222
Phone: (904) 290-8645

Dr. Alexa Fritz, DMD is regulated by the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice) in Florida and is licensed by The Florida Board of Medicine.

National Provider Identifier (NPI): 1326658683

Registration can typically be verified through The Florida Board of Medicine website or by direct inquiry.

The information on this profile, provided by weprevent.org, is for general informational purposes and to help you connect with preventive health partners. It does not constitute direct medical advice from the physician named. Preventive Dentistry Services like Dr. Alexa DMD are skilled in helping patients create proactive health plans. For urgent or life-threatening emergencies, please call 911 or visit the nearest emergency department. It is always recommended to maintain open communication with your preventive dentistry about all aspects of your health and your personalized prevention plan.