Dr. Clayton Smith, DDS

Dr. Clayton Smith, DDS is a Preventive Dentistry practitioner dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive preventive dental care. As a partner in preventive health featured on weprevent.org, he practices at his clinic in Largo, FL, and is committed to creating personalized plans to prevent cavities and gum disease. He is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practices under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice), ensuring adherence to the highest standards of care. 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. He serves all ages.

Dr. Clayton Smith, DDS is a dentistry practitioner in Largo, FL, committed to a collaborative, evidence-based approach to patient care. He strives to create a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. His practice emphasizes the importance of early detection and intervention, minimizing the need for extensive restorative procedures. Understanding that proactive oral health contributes significantly to overall well-being, Dr. Clayton DDS prioritizes preventative measures and personalized care for every patient. Please call (727) 535-9993 to confirm if he is currently accepting new patients. Dr. Clayton DDS provides consultations primarily in English.

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

• Misshapen Teeth: Regular dental checkups help identify misshapen teeth, allowing for timely orthodontic intervention, preventing more severe issues and improving long-term oral health.
• Orofacial Pain: Orofacial pain can be a warning sign of various oral health problems, ranging from simple infections to more complex conditions. Preventative care, including regular dental visits, helps minimize risks and pain.
• Tooth Abrasion: Preventing tooth abrasion is crucial for preserving your natural teeth and preventing sensitivity, ensuring comfortable chewing and maintaining a healthy smile throughout your life.
• Orofacial Infection: Practicing good oral hygiene, including proper brushing and flossing, is vital in reducing the risk of developing painful and potentially serious orofacial infections.
• Dentinogenesis Imperfecta, Shield's Type II: With Shield's Type II Dentinogenesis Imperfecta, teeth are more prone to fracture and decay, highlighting the importance of preventive dental care to minimize damage and preserve tooth structure.
• Excessive Tooth Wear: Early identification of excessive tooth wear through routine dental exams allows for timely interventions, preventing further damage and preserving the natural structure of your teeth.
• Oral Thrush (Candidiasis): Maintaining good oral hygiene significantly reduces your risk of developing oral thrush, a common yet preventable infection.

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. Clayton DDS offers a range of key preventive screenings and services designed to provide crucial insights into your health and support your well-being:

• Pulpotomy: A pulpotomy is a procedure that helps save a child's tooth by removing the infected or inflamed pulp, preventing the need for a full extraction and preserving the natural tooth.
• Full Mouth Rehabilitation: Full mouth rehabilitation is a comprehensive approach to restoring your oral health, identifying and addressing any issues to prevent future problems like cavities and gum disease.
• Incognito™ Invisible Braces: Incognito™ Invisible Braces straighten your teeth discreetly, improving your smile and preventing future jaw problems associated with misalignment.
• Implant-Supported Dentures: Protect your jawbone and maintain a natural-looking smile with implant-supported dentures; this approach offers superior stability and comfort compared to traditional dentures.
• Teeth Whitening: Teeth whitening can reveal underlying dental issues early, allowing for prompt treatment and prevention of more significant problems.
• Implant-Supported Crown: An implant-supported crown is a strong, permanent tooth replacement that protects your jawbone and prevents further tooth loss, keeping your smile healthy and functional for years to come.
• Bracket Braces: By proactively addressing crooked or crowded teeth with bracket braces, you're improving your oral hygiene and reducing the likelihood of future dental complications.

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. Clayton DDS 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:

• Regular dental checkups allowed a family to identify misshapen teeth early, enabling timely orthodontic intervention and preventing more severe issues, leading to a happier, healthier smile for everyone.
• By attending regular checkups and following a personalized preventive plan, a patient significantly reduced their risk of orofacial pain, enjoying a healthier and more comfortable smile.
• By understanding the risks of tooth abrasion and following a proactive preventive plan, a patient felt confident in maintaining a healthy smile, free from sensitivity and discomfort.

These scenarios are illustrative examples of positive health outcomes. Individual results may vary and depend on many factors specific to each patient. He 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. Clayton DDS:

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

At Dr. Clayton DDS, we recommend seeing a dentist and dental hygienist every six months for checkups and cleanings. This helps prevent tartar buildup, which brushing alone can't remove, and allows us to catch cavities early and screen for gum disease and oral cancer.

Why are routine dental cleanings so important for prevention?

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

How is oral health connected to my overall health?

Your oral health is directly linked to your overall well-being. Chronic gum inflammation (periodontitis) has been associated with an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and poorly controlled diabetes. Preventive dental care is essential for maintaining a healthy body.

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, preventing cavities from forming in the deep grooves of the teeth.

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, which are then topped with a natural-looking crown. This helps prevent bone loss and preserves the health of surrounding teeth.

How can I whiten my teeth safely?

The safest and most effective way to whiten your teeth is under professional supervision. Dr. Clayton DDS can assess your oral health to ensure you are 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.

Can you help with snoring or sleep apnea?

Dr. Clayton DDS can help with snoring and sleep apnea. For some patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea, we 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.

What is a root canal and why is it needed?

A root canal is a procedure to save a badly infected or damaged tooth. It involves removing the inflamed pulp, cleaning the inside of the tooth, and sealing it. This treatment relieves pain and prevents the need for tooth extraction.

10427 Ulmerton Rd Ste B-3
Largo FL 33771
Phone: (727) 535-9993

Dr. Clayton Smith, DDS 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): 1114763166

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. Clayton DDS 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.