Dr. Barbara Mizell, DMD

Dr. Barbara Mizell, DMD is a Preventive Dentistry specialist dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive preventive dental care at her clinic in Destin, FL. Registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practicing under Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice), she serves all ages. 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 currently welcoming new patients to begin their proactive health journey; please call (850) 424-6996 to schedule.

With over 35 years of dedicated experience in Preventive Dental care, Dr. Mizell brings a wealth of clinical knowledge and compassionate care to her patients and their families. She earned her medical degree from University Of Louisville School Of Dentistry in 1989 and consistently pursues advanced training and stays current on oral healthcare research, new technology, and developments in treatments. Dr. Mizell and her staff strive to combine the latest technology with attention to individual needs to give you the highest level of treatment and comfort available. Dr. Barbara DMD provides consultations primarily in English, and delivers a range of dental treatments that improve her patients’ oral health and smiles, always focusing on their particular needs and goals. Understanding that every patient has specific concerns, she encourages open and honest conversations to identify the care processes that are best for each person. She is known throughout the area as a skilled and gentle dentist, and loves providing care to all ages, considering it an honor to care for multiple generations of the same family. Visit http://www.destinharbordentist.com/ for more information.

A key part of the WePrevent mission is building your personalized prevention roadmap. Dr. Barbara 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. Barbara 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. Barbara 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:

• Sensitive Teeth: Don't ignore sensitive teeth – catching the underlying issue early can stop it from becoming a chronic problem, potentially impacting your overall oral health.
• Tooth Malformation: Early detection of tooth malformation is key to preventing complications like misaligned bites, difficulty chewing, and potential speech impediments, emphasizing the role of preventive dentistry.
• Receding Gums: Receding gums indicate a need for professional dental care to help prevent serious gum disease and the potential for costly treatments.
• Clicking of Temporomandibular Joint: Don't ignore jaw clicking – it might signal TMJ trouble. Early detection and management with your dentist will help you prevent future jaw pain and dysfunction.
• Halitosis: Halitosis, or bad breath, can be a sign of underlying oral health issues like gum disease or cavities, so addressing it early helps prevent more serious problems.
• Dental Disorders: Addressing dental disorders promptly helps stop minor issues from becoming major health concerns, impacting not only your smile but also your overall well-being.
• Chipped Tooth: Addressing a chipped tooth promptly minimizes the chance of the chip worsening, possibly leading to a more complex and costly repair later on.
• Grinding of Teeth: Teeth grinding puts excessive pressure on your jaw and teeth, potentially causing damage and pain; proactive management through stress reduction or mouthguards protects your oral health.
• Gingivitis: Gingivitis is an early stage of gum disease, easily treatable with good oral hygiene, preventing it from progressing to more serious problems.
• Gum Disease: Managing gum disease effectively prevents tooth loss and other systemic health issues, highlighting the importance of early intervention and consistent oral care.
• Tooth Loss: Managing existing dental problems like gum disease and cavities promptly can help you maintain your natural teeth and avoid the need for tooth replacements.
• Loose Teeth: Experiencing loose teeth? Addressing this early prevents further tooth loss and potential complications, emphasizing the value of proactive dental care.

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. Barbara 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: As a proactive step in maintaining your oral health, amalgam fillings help restore damaged teeth and prevent future complications like tooth loss.
• Cosmetic Procedure: While primarily aesthetic, cosmetic dentistry can sometimes uncover underlying dental issues during the process, leading to early intervention.
• Dental Bonding: Dental bonding is a simple, effective way to address minor cosmetic flaws and protect your teeth, helping you maintain a healthy, beautiful smile as part of your overall health routine.
• Dental Bridge: A dental bridge is a proactive way to replace missing teeth, preventing further tooth shifting and jawbone deterioration.
• 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: Maintain optimal oral hygiene and prevent costly dental work down the line with routine dental hygiene services—a small investment with huge returns for your smile.
• Dental Implant: Replacing a missing tooth with a dental implant prevents the shifting of adjacent teeth and maintains the proper alignment of your bite.
• Digital X-Ray (CDR): Invest in your overall well-being with a digital X-ray. This advanced imaging technology helps your dentist identify potential problems early, contributing to better oral and overall health.
• Intraoral Camera: Take a proactive step towards better oral health with an intraoral camera exam; it allows for early detection of hidden issues, preventing more extensive and costly treatments down the line.
• 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: Enhance your oral hygiene routine with teeth whitening, helping you maintain a healthy, attractive smile for years to come.
• Tooth-Conserving Dentistry: Investing in tooth-conserving dentistry means making a smart choice for your long-term oral health, helping prevent future problems and reducing the need for extensive dental work.

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. Barbara 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 addressing sensitive teeth early through a proactive dental plan, a patient avoided more extensive and costly procedures, maintaining a healthy and confident smile.
• By attending regular checkups and following a proactive dental plan, a family gained valuable insights into potential tooth malformations, allowing them to address any issues early and reduce the risk of future problems. This proactive approach ensured a healthy smile and peace of mind for years to come.
• By attending regular checkups and following a personalized oral hygiene plan, a patient successfully maintained healthy gums, avoiding the need for more extensive and costly procedures. This proactive approach ensured long-term oral health and 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. Barbara DMD:

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

Dr. Barbara DMD recommends visiting for check-ups and cleanings every six months. This helps remove tartar buildup, catch cavities early, and screen for gum disease and oral cancer.

Why are routine dental cleanings so important for prevention?

Even with excellent at-home care, plaque hardens into tartar that only a professional cleaning can remove. This is crucial for preventing cavities and, importantly, gum disease, which has links to other health problems like heart disease.

How is oral health connected to my overall health?

Oral health is intrinsically linked to overall well-being. Chronic gum inflammation, or periodontitis, has been connected to an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and poorly controlled diabetes. Preventive dental care, including regular checkups and cleanings, is therefore essential for maintaining optimal body health.

Can you help with snoring or sleep apnea?

Dr. Barbara DMD can help manage sleep-disordered breathing. For some patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea, she can create a custom-fitted oral appliance to keep the airway open while you sleep. This is a comfortable and effective alternative to CPAP for eligible patients.

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. Barbara 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 the back teeth. They are a powerful preventive tool, primarily for children and teenagers, that seals out food and plaque, preventing cavities from forming in the deep grooves of the teeth.

What causes tooth sensitivity?

Tooth sensitivity can be caused by worn enamel, receding gums exposing the tooth root, or tiny cracks in the teeth. A proper diagnosis by Dr. Barbara DMD is needed to determine the exact cause and recommend effective treatments, such as desensitizing toothpaste or in-office procedures.

What are dental implants?

Dental implants are the modern gold standard for replacing missing teeth. They are titanium posts that act like artificial tooth roots, supporting a natural-looking crown. This helps prevent bone loss and maintains the health of surrounding teeth.

415 Mountain Dr Ste 4
Destin FL 32541
Phone: (850) 424-6996

Dr. Barbara Mizell, 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): 1578642864

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. Barbara 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.