Dr. Kenyon Fort, DDS

Dr. Kenyon Fort, DDS is a Preventive Dentistry specialist dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive dental care. He practices at St. Petersburg Oral Surgery in St. Petersburg, FL, and is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine, practicing under Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). His commitment extends beyond traditional treatments; 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 is committed to preventative care for all ages and welcomes new patients to begin their proactive health journey. Please call (727) 626-2698 to schedule an appointment.

Dr. Kenyon Fort's dedication to preventive dentistry stems from his rigorous medical training at esteemed institutions. Following medical school, he completed a residency in Preventive Dentistry Services, honing his skills in the comprehensive medical care of all ages. His deep understanding of the interconnections between oral and overall health is a cornerstone of his approach. He is passionate about educating patients on preventative measures and empowering them to take control of their oral health. Dr. Fort's mission is a commitment to excellence in every aspect of patient care, and he is dedicated to providing the highest quality dental services. He provides consultations primarily in English.

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

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Dental Injury: Managing dental injuries promptly through professional care can reduce the need for extensive restorative work later, protecting your smile and preventing complications.
• Halitosis: Persistent bad breath may indicate an oral health problem that, if left untreated, could lead to more significant health complications.
• Gingivitis: Gingivitis, characterized by red, swollen gums, is a preventable condition; addressing it promptly safeguards your gums and supports overall well-being.
• 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.
• Bad Taste in Mouth: Experiencing a bad taste? Addressing this early can prevent more extensive dental problems and protect your overall health, since oral health impacts your whole body.
• 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 Decay: Preventing tooth decay is crucial for maintaining a healthy smile and overall well-being, as untreated decay can lead to infections and other health problems.
• Tooth Discoloration: Preventing tooth discoloration starts with good oral hygiene habits to maintain the natural whiteness of your teeth and avoid future complications.
• Grinding of Teeth: Grinding your teeth, or bruxism, can wear down enamel, leading to cavities and sensitivity—catching it early with a dental check-up prevents major problems.

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. Kenyon DDS 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: By filling cavities with amalgam, we prevent the spread of decay and maintain the structural integrity of your teeth, safeguarding your long-term oral health.
• 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: Protect your oral health and overall well-being with professional dental hygiene services, which help identify potential issues early and prevent more serious problems.
• 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: Root canal treatment is a vital step in preventing the spread of infection from a severely damaged tooth to other areas of your mouth and body, promoting overall well-being.
• Teeth Whitening: Teeth whitening can reveal underlying dental issues early, allowing for prompt treatment and prevention of more significant problems.
• Tooth-Conserving Dentistry: Tooth-conserving dentistry focuses on preserving your natural teeth through early detection and treatment of dental problems, preventing the need for more extensive procedures later.

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. Kenyon 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 addressing a small chip promptly, a patient avoided a more extensive and costly dental procedure, ensuring a healthy smile for years to come. This proactive approach provided peace of mind and a confident smile.
• By scheduling regular checkups and addressing the early signs of jaw clicking, a patient proactively managed potential TMJ problems, ensuring a comfortable and pain-free future.
• By attending regular checkups and following a personalized preventive plan, a family significantly reduced their risk of developing future dental issues, enjoying a healthier, more confident smile.

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. Kenyon DDS:

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

At Dr. Kenyon DDS, we recommend visiting every six months for a check-up and cleaning. This allows our team to remove tartar buildup that brushing can't, detect cavities early, and screen for gum disease and oral cancer. Regular visits are a crucial preventive step for maintaining optimal oral health.

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 is linked to other health problems like heart disease.

How is oral health connected to my overall health?

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

When should my child first see a dentist?

Dr. Kenyon 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.

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 to prevent cavities from forming in the deep grooves of the teeth.

Can you help with snoring or sleep apnea?

Dr. Kenyon DDS can help some patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea. We offer custom-fitted oral appliances worn at night to keep the airway open, providing a comfortable and effective alternative to CPAP for eligible patients.

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 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 adjacent teeth.

St. Petersburg Oral Surgery
7135 Dr Martin Luther King Jr St N
St Petersburg FL 33702
Phone: (727) 626-2698

Dr. Kenyon Fort, 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): 1396830741

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. Kenyon 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.