Dr. Kelly McKnight, DMD

Dr. Kelly McKnight, DMD 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, she practices at her clinic in The Villages, 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 collaborative, evidence-based medicine, fostering a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. Dr. Kelly DMD provides consultations primarily in English and welcomes all ages to begin their proactive health journey. She is currently accepting new patients. Please call (352) 259-7950 to schedule.

Dr. Kelly McKnight, DMD is a dentistry practitioner in The Villages, FL. She is dedicated to preventative dentistry and creating personalized plans to maintain optimal oral and systemic health. Her practice emphasizes the importance of proactive care, empowering patients to understand and participate in their own preventive health journey. Dr. Kelly DMD is accepting new patients and encourages you to call (352) 259-7950 to schedule your consultation. She prioritizes collaborative care, understanding that a strong partnership between patient and provider is crucial for long-term well-being.

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

• Teething: Teething, while a normal part of baby development, requires careful monitoring to prevent potential gum irritation and infections, ensuring your child's healthy smile from the start.
• Craniofrontonasal Syndrome, Teebi Type: Early identification of Craniofrontonasal syndrome, Teebi type, is crucial for proactive dental management, minimizing potential oral health issues and improving quality of life.
• Swollen Gums: Preventing swollen gums starts with diligent brushing and flossing to remove plaque and bacteria, reducing your risk of gum inflammation and infection.
• Oral or Facial Cleft: Preventing serious complications associated with oral or facial clefts involves early diagnosis, which can facilitate early treatment and reduce the risk of feeding difficulties, speech problems, and hearing issues.
• Dentinogenesis Imperfecta: Since Dentinogenesis Imperfecta makes teeth unusually brittle, early diagnosis allows for tailored preventive strategies to safeguard against decay, fractures, and the need for extensive dental work.
• Facial Ectodermal Dysplasia: Because facial ectodermal dysplasia can cause missing or abnormally shaped teeth, proactive dental care, including regular checkups and potential interventions, is vital to minimize long-term oral health problems.
• Jaw Misalignment Leading to TMJ: Early detection of jaw misalignment is crucial for preventing the progression to TMJ disorders and their associated health problems; your dentist can provide preventive solutions to protect your jaw joint.

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

• Picasso® Soft Tissue Laser Procedure: Take charge of your oral health by utilizing the Picasso® Soft Tissue Laser, a minimally invasive procedure that can help prevent gum disease and improve overall oral health.
• Zoom!® Teeth Whitening: Enhance your smile's appearance with Zoom! Teeth Whitening, complementing your regular dental checkups and improving your overall oral health confidence.
• Nitrous Oxide Sedation: Nitrous oxide sedation helps make dental visits more comfortable, allowing for thorough checkups and early detection of potential problems like cavities or gum disease.
• Cerinate One-Hour™ Permanent Veneer: Enhance the beauty and durability of your teeth with Cerinate One-Hour™ Permanent Veneers, helping you maintain a healthy, confident smile for years to come.
• Pre-Operative Examination for Dental Surgery: Protecting your overall health, a pre-operative dental exam helps your dentist identify and address any oral health concerns before your surgery, minimizing potential risks and improving outcomes.
• Dental Implant: Securing a dental implant helps prevent jawbone deterioration and improves chewing and speaking capabilities, contributing to overall quality of life.
• Replacing All Teeth: Replacing all your teeth, such as with dentures or implants, can restore your ability to chew, speak, and smile confidently, preventing further oral health 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. Kelly 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:

• A family felt reassured knowing a proactive preventive dentistry plan helped them identify and manage potential teething discomfort, ensuring a smooth transition for their little one's developing smile. Early intervention minimized potential gum irritation and infections, promoting a healthy start to their child's oral health.
• By proactively scheduling dental checkups and following a personalized preventative plan, a family was able to minimize potential oral health challenges associated with Craniofrontonasal syndrome, Teebi type, ensuring a positive outlook for their child's long-term well-being.
• By consistently following a preventive oral hygiene routine, a patient significantly reduced the risk of swollen gums, ensuring a healthy and confident smile.

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. Kelly DMD:

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

At Dr. Kelly DMD, we recommend seeing your dentist and dental hygienist every six months for a check-up and cleaning. This helps prevent tartar buildup, which brushing alone can't remove, and allows us to detect cavities early. Regular checkups also help 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 gum disease, which can be linked to other health problems like heart disease.

How is oral health connected to my overall health?

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

When should my child first see a dentist?

Dr. Kelly 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.

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 your teeth is damaged, potentially leading to tooth loss.

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. Dr. Kelly DMD is dedicated to providing comfortable and effective root canal therapy.

What causes tooth sensitivity?

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

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. Kelly to see issues like cavities between teeth, bone loss, and impacted teeth that aren't visible, enabling early intervention and better oral health.

1950 Laurel Manor Dr Ste 160
The Villages FL 32162
Phone: (352) 259-7950

Dr. Kelly McKnight, 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): 1871506014

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. Kelly 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.