Dr. Kristina Galligan, DMD

Dr. Kristina Galligan, DMD is a Preventive Dentistry specialist dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive Preventive Dental care. She practices at her clinic in Melbourne, FL, and is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine, adhering to 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 experienced in providing care for all ages and is passionate about delivering high-quality, gentle dental care to her patients. To confirm whether she is currently accepting new patients, please call (321) 373-0809.

Dr. Kristina Galligan is an experienced and compassionate dentist with a deep commitment to patient well-being. A Florida native, she graduated from the University of Central Florida with a BS in Molecular and Microbiology, and later earned her Doctorate of Dental Medicine from Nova Southeastern University. At Christie Dental in Palm Bay, FL, the team is dedicated to making every patient feel comfortable and secure, and to providing a level of service that helps you achieve a lifetime of good oral health. Dr. Galligan welcomes patients of all ages and looks forward to meeting you and offering professional and gentle dental care. While not in the office, she enjoys spending time outdoors with her family. Dr. Kristina DMD provides consultations primarily in English.

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

• Tooth Decay: Regular dental visits for cleaning and fluoride treatments help prevent tooth decay and strengthen your teeth, shielding them from harmful bacteria.
• 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.
• Toothache: Ignoring a toothache can lead to more serious problems like gum disease or the need for extensive dental work, emphasizing the value of prompt treatment.
• Swollen Gums: Preventing swollen gums starts with diligent brushing and flossing to remove plaque and bacteria, reducing your risk of gum inflammation and infection.
• 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.
• Sensitive Teeth: Sensitive teeth, often a sign of enamel wear or exposed dentin, can be managed early to prevent further tooth decay and discomfort.
• Tooth Discoloration: Managing tooth discoloration through proper oral hygiene and regular dental checkups helps maintain a healthy smile and prevent further aesthetic and dental problems.
• Tender Gums: Preventing gum tenderness through proper brushing and flossing is essential for maintaining healthy gums and keeping your smile bright.
• 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.
• Dental Injury: Preventing dental injuries starts with proactive measures such as avoiding risky activities or using safety equipment, protecting your teeth and gums from harm.
• Bad Taste in Mouth: Persistent bad taste might indicate gum disease or infection, highlighting the importance of proactive dental care to avoid more serious complications.
• Tooth Abscess: A tooth abscess is a painful infection at the root of a tooth, highlighting the importance of regular dental checkups for early detection and prevention of serious complications.

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. Kristina 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: Amalgam fillings are a durable way to restore teeth damaged by decay, proactively preventing further infection and preserving your natural smile.
• Cosmetic Procedure: While primarily aesthetic, cosmetic dentistry can sometimes uncover underlying dental issues during the process, leading to early intervention.
• Dental Cleaning: Regular dental cleanings are a proactive step towards maintaining healthy gums and teeth, catching potential problems early.
• 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: Invest in your smile's future! Dental hygiene services provide essential cleanings and screenings to help detect and stop the progression of gum disease and cavities.
• Dental Implant: Replacing a missing tooth with a dental implant prevents the shifting of adjacent teeth and maintains the proper alignment of your bite.
• Root Canal: A root canal helps save a severely infected tooth by removing the damaged pulp and preventing further infection or tooth loss, preserving your natural smile.
• Teeth Whitening: Enhance your oral hygiene routine with teeth whitening, helping you maintain a healthy, attractive smile for years to come.
• Tooth-Conserving Dentistry: Protecting your natural teeth is key to your overall health, and tooth-conserving dentistry provides the necessary preventive and restorative care to achieve that.

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. Kristina 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 attending regular dental checkups and cleanings, a family significantly reduced their risk of tooth decay, ensuring a healthy and confident smile for years to come. This proactive approach provided peace of mind knowing their oral health was well-managed.
• By addressing jaw clicking early with a proactive dental plan, a patient avoided the potential for future TMJ pain and dysfunction, leading to a more comfortable and enjoyable daily life.
• By scheduling regular checkups and following a personalized preventative plan, a patient avoided the pain and expense of extensive dental work, maintaining a healthy smile for years to come.

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. Kristina DMD:

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

At Dr. Kristina DMD, we recommend visiting for a check-up and cleaning every six months. This allows us to remove tartar buildup that brushing can't, detect cavities early, and screen for gum disease and oral cancer.

Why are routine dental cleanings so important for prevention?

Even with excellent home care, 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?

Oral health is intrinsically linked to overall health. Chronic gum inflammation, or periodontitis, is associated with an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and poorly controlled diabetes. Preventive dental care is therefore essential for maintaining optimal body health.

Do you perform oral cancer screenings?

Yes, an oral cancer screening is a routine and important part of every dental check-up. Dr. Kristina DMD will visually inspect the lips, tongue, gums, and entire mouth for any abnormalities, as early detection is key to successful treatment.

What is TMJ disorder?

Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) disorder is a condition affecting the jaw joint and muscles that control jaw movement. Common symptoms include jaw pain, clicking or popping sounds, and headaches. Dr. Kristina DMD can help diagnose the issue and recommend treatments like a custom nightguard to prevent damage from grinding.

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

When should my child first see a dentist?

Dr. Kristina DMD 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.

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. Kristina DMD to see issues like cavities, bone loss, and impacted teeth that aren't visible without them, enabling early intervention and better oral health.

7954 N Wickham Rd Ste 109
Melbourne FL 32940
Phone: (321) 373-0809

Dr. Kristina Galligan, 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): 1578970091

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. Kristina 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.