Dr. Lauren McDonough, DMD

Dr. Lauren McDonough, DMD is a Preventive Dentistry partner on weprevent.org, practicing at Aspen Dental in Stuart, FL. She is dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive Preventive Dental care, registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practicing under 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 serving all ages and is currently welcoming new patients to begin their proactive health journey. Call (844) 225-4817 to schedule.

Dr. Lauren, the Dentist Owner of the Stuart, FL location, graduated from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. With years of valuable dental experience, she and the Aspen Dental team are proud to offer professional, compassionate care. A general dentist specializing in prosthodontics, oral surgery, dentures, and dental implants, she is also a certified Invisalign provider. Dr. Lauren's practice, rooted in Aspen Dental's commitment to treating patients with compassion and respect, prioritizes comprehensive care addressing both short- and long-term dental needs, and promises honest communication. She enjoys spending time with her husband and two dogs on their boat. In 2017, she and her husband were recognized for their dedication and commitment to developing their team. Dr. Lauren DMD provides consultations primarily in English.

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

• Bad Taste in Mouth: A bad taste in your mouth can signal a need for improved oral hygiene practices, preventing future cavities and gum disease.
• Clicking of Temporomandibular Joint: Experiencing clicking in your jaw? This could indicate TMJ issues; seeking professional evaluation helps prevent long-term jaw pain and dysfunction.
• Grinding of Teeth: If you clench or grind your teeth, you're at increased risk for gum disease and tooth loss; addressing this habit early can significantly improve your long-term oral health.
• Tooth Abscess: Preventing tooth decay and gum disease through diligent oral hygiene is crucial, as these conditions can lead to painful and costly tooth abscesses.
• Toothache: Experiencing a toothache? This underscores the importance of consistent oral hygiene practices and regular dental visits to minimize the risk and manage the impact of oral health problems.
• Canker Sore: Though often benign, recurring or unusually severe canker sores warrant a dental checkup to rule out any underlying oral health problems and prevent complications.
• Tooth Discoloration: Tooth discoloration can be an early warning sign of underlying oral health issues, so addressing it promptly helps prevent more serious problems.
• Halitosis: Halitosis can be a warning sign of poor oral hygiene, prompting proactive steps to prevent cavities, gum disease, and other oral health problems.
• Dental Injury: A dental injury, like a chipped tooth or knocked-out tooth, can be prevented through protective measures like wearing a mouthguard during sports, and prompt treatment minimizes lasting damage and infection.
• Sensitive Teeth: Protecting your teeth from sensitivity is key to preserving their long-term health and preventing the need for extensive dental work.
• Gingivitis: Managing gingivitis effectively, through professional cleaning and at-home care, reduces your risk of developing more severe gum disease.
• Tooth Damage: Protecting your teeth from damage through preventive measures like wearing a mouthguard during sports or avoiding hard candies helps maintain your oral health and overall well-being.

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. Lauren 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: As a proactive step in maintaining your oral health, amalgam fillings help restore damaged teeth and prevent future complications like tooth loss.
• Cosmetic Procedure: Cosmetic dental work can address minor imperfections that might otherwise affect your self-esteem and lead to neglecting dental care.
• Dental Cleaning: A dental cleaning is a simple yet effective preventative measure to keep your mouth healthy, detecting any issues early and avoiding future complications.
• Dental Crown: To safeguard your oral health, a dental crown can be used to strengthen a weakened tooth, preventing future infection or the need for more extensive dental work.
• Dental Hygiene Services: Ensure your teeth and gums stay healthy with regular dental hygiene appointments, allowing for early detection of oral health problems that could impact your overall health.
• Dental Implant: A dental implant offers a permanent solution to missing teeth, improving your confidence, enhancing your smile, and helping to prevent future dental problems.
• 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: Brighten your smile and boost your confidence with teeth whitening, a simple step towards maintaining overall oral health.
• 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. Lauren 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 was relieved to learn that addressing a persistent bad taste in their mouth through improved oral hygiene practices prevented the development of cavities and gum disease, ensuring a healthier smile for years to come.
• Recognizing the early signs of clicking in their jaw, a patient proactively sought a professional evaluation, reducing the risk of future TMJ pain and dysfunction and enjoying a more comfortable, pain-free quality of life.
• By addressing their teeth grinding habit early, a patient significantly reduced their risk of future gum disease and tooth loss, leading to a more confident and comfortable 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. Lauren DMD:

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

At Dr. Lauren DMD, we recommend seeing a dentist and dental hygienist every six months for a check-up and cleaning. This is a crucial preventive step to remove tartar buildup that brushing can't, catch cavities early, and 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, more importantly, 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 essential for maintaining not only a healthy mouth but also a healthy body.

Can you help with snoring or sleep apnea?

Dr. Lauren DMD can help with some cases of snoring or sleep apnea. For patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea, she 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 many.

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 causes tooth sensitivity?

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

What is TMJ disorder?

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

When should my child first see a dentist?

Dr. Lauren 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 for future care.

Aspen Dental
3951 SE Federal Hwy
Stuart FL 34997
Phone: (844) 225-4817

Dr. Lauren McDonough, 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): 1568802510

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. Lauren 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.