Dr. Douglas Peterson, DDS

Dr. Douglas Peterson, DDS is a Preventive Dentistry practitioner dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive preventative dental care. He practices at his clinic in Boca Raton, FL, and is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine, practicing under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). His commitment extends beyond simply treating existing issues; he emphasizes the crucial role of prevention in achieving optimal oral and systemic health.

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. Dr. Douglas Peterson, DDS is a dentistry practitioner in Boca Raton, FL, committed to collaborative, evidence-based medicine and a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. He serves all ages. Please call (561) 395-1486 to confirm if he is currently accepting new patients. Dr. Douglas DDS provides consultations primarily in English.

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

• Oral Submucous Fibrosis: Oral submucous fibrosis, if left untreated, can lead to severe complications, underscoring the significance of routine dental visits and prompt attention to any oral changes.
• Ectodermal Dysplasia: Children and adults with ectodermal dysplasia often require specialized dental care to address unique oral health challenges; proactive dental checkups are crucial for preventing complications.
• Mouth Cancer: Preventing mouth cancer starts with understanding your risk factors, like tobacco use and excessive alcohol consumption, and making lifestyle changes to minimize them.
• Crouzon Syndrome: Because Crouzon syndrome can cause abnormalities in facial structure, impacting bite and jaw alignment, early diagnosis and dental management are crucial to prevent complications like TMJ disorders and difficulty chewing.
• Stained Teeth: Preventing tooth staining through good oral hygiene practices can significantly reduce your risk of developing more serious dental conditions.
• Plicated Tongue: Early identification of a plicated tongue can help manage potential complications like increased plaque accumulation, emphasizing the role of regular dental checkups in maintaining oral health.
• Tooth Damage: Managing existing tooth damage, such as chips or fractures, minimizes the risk of infection, pain, and more extensive damage requiring extensive restorative work.

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

• Thornton Adjustable Positioner® (TAP®): Take a proactive step towards a healthier smile: the TAP® helps your dentist create a custom plan to correct your bite and improve your oral health, reducing the risk of cavities and gum disease.
• Cosmetic Oral Evaluation: Invest in your long-term oral health with a cosmetic oral evaluation; it's a screening designed to catch early signs of decay, gum disease, and other issues, allowing you to address them promptly and effectively.
• Deep Bleaching: As part of your commitment to oral health, deep bleaching can help brighten your teeth, removing surface and deep stains to maintain your smile's vitality.
• ViziLite® Plus: ViziLite® Plus enhances your regular dental checkup by providing a more thorough examination, helping your dentist detect subtle changes in your mouth's tissues that might otherwise go unnoticed, potentially preventing serious oral health issues.
• Partial Dentures: Partial dentures are a proactive solution to replace missing teeth, improving chewing, speech, and preventing further tooth loss.
• Nobel Teeth in an Hour™: Ensure a healthy mouth and body by getting a speedy assessment that helps prevent costly and painful dental treatments down the road.
• Cosmetic Procedure: By enhancing your smile with cosmetic procedures, you indirectly promote better oral health through increased self-care and regular visits.

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. Douglas 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:

• By attending regular checkups and addressing early oral changes, a patient significantly reduced their risk of developing Oral Submucous Fibrosis, gaining peace of mind about their long-term oral health.
• By scheduling regular dental checkups, a family proactively managed potential oral health issues associated with ectodermal dysplasia, ensuring a comfortable and healthy smile for years to come. Early detection and preventative care empowered them to maintain optimal oral health.
• By understanding their risk factors and making healthy lifestyle choices, a patient significantly reduced their chances of developing mouth cancer, fostering a sense of peace and control over their oral health.

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. Douglas DDS:

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

At Dr. Douglas DDS, we recommend seeing your dentist and 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, screen for gum disease, and detect oral cancer in its earliest stages.

Why are routine dental cleanings so important for prevention?

Even with meticulous home care, plaque hardens into tartar that only a professional cleaning can remove. This is crucial for preventing cavities and, most importantly, 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 deeply connected to your overall well-being. Chronic gum inflammation, or periodontitis, is linked to an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and poorly controlled diabetes. Preventive dental care is essential for maintaining optimal oral and systemic health.

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 tooth extraction.

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're a powerful preventive tool, especially for children and teenagers, sealing out food and plaque to prevent cavities from forming in the deep grooves of the teeth.

What is the difference between gingivitis and periodontitis?

Gingivitis is an early, reversible stage of gum disease characterized by red, swollen gums that may bleed easily. If left untreated, gingivitis can progress to periodontitis, a more serious stage where the bone supporting the teeth is damaged, potentially leading to tooth loss.

What is TMJ disorder?

TMJ disorder affects the jaw joint and muscles controlling jaw movement, often causing jaw pain, clicking or popping sounds, and headaches. Dr. Douglas DDS can diagnose the issue and recommend treatments, such as a custom nightguard, to prevent further damage from teeth grinding.

When should my child first see a dentist?

Dr. Douglas DDS 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.

2151 NW 2nd Ave Ste 102
Boca Raton FL 33431
Phone: (561) 395-1486

Dr. Douglas Peterson, 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): 1952520710

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. Douglas 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.