Dr. Melissa Herrera, DMD

Dr. Melissa Herrera, DMD is a Preventive Dentistry practitioner committed to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive preventative dental care. As a partner in preventive health featured on weprevent.org, she practices at Shore Haven Dentistry in Jacksonville, 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 dedicated to collaborative, evidence-based medicine and creating a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. She serves all ages and is currently welcoming new patients to begin their proactive health journey. Please call (772) 264-1174 to schedule.

Dr. Melissa Herrera, DMD is a dentistry practitioner in Jacksonville, FL, dedicated to proactive preventative dentistry. Her practice prioritizes comprehensive care, focusing on the prevention of oral diseases and the promotion of optimal oral and systemic health. She works with patients of all ages, customizing preventative strategies to meet individual needs. Dr. Melissa DMD is committed to providing a patient-centered approach, fostering a collaborative environment where patients actively participate in their oral health journey. She is accepting new patients. Dr. Melissa DMD provides consultations primarily in English.

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

• Dental Trauma: Taking preventive steps like wearing a mouthguard helps safeguard your teeth from trauma, protecting your smile and overall oral health.
• 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 Loss: Preventing tooth loss starts with regular dental checkups and good oral hygiene to catch problems early and avoid major issues down the line.
• Canker Sore: Early detection of unusually large, painful, or persistent canker sores is crucial, as it could indicate a more serious underlying medical condition.
• Loose Teeth: Loose teeth can be a sign of underlying gum disease or bone loss, highlighting the importance of regular dental checkups for early detection and preventive treatment.
• Gingivitis: Managing gingivitis effectively, through professional cleaning and at-home care, reduces your risk of developing more severe gum disease.
• 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.
• Tooth Malformation: Early detection of tooth malformation is key to preventing complications like misaligned bites, difficulty chewing, and potential speech impediments, emphasizing the role of preventive dentistry.
• 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.
• Receding Gums: Early detection of receding gums is crucial; addressing this issue early helps prevent tooth loss and potential systemic health problems.
• 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.
• Stained Teeth: Addressing tooth stains early can prevent further discoloration and improve your overall oral health, minimizing the need for more extensive treatments later.

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. Melissa 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: Protecting your teeth from further damage and potential infection, amalgam fillings act as a proactive measure to maintain your overall oral health.
• Cosmetic Procedure: Cosmetic dental work can address minor imperfections that might otherwise affect your self-esteem and lead to neglecting dental care.
• Dental Cleaning: Invest in your well-being with routine dental cleanings; they're essential for preventing serious oral health issues and promoting good systemic health.
• Dental Crown: A dental crown is a cap placed over a damaged tooth to restore its shape, strength, and protect it from further decay, helping you keep your natural smile for longer.
• Dental Hygiene Services: Maintain optimal oral hygiene and prevent costly dental work down the line with routine dental hygiene services—a small investment with huge returns for your smile.
• 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: 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: 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. Melissa 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 proactively implementing a mouthguard regimen, a young athlete avoided dental trauma, ensuring a healthy smile and continued confidence in their athletic pursuits.
• By addressing sensitive teeth early, a patient avoided the discomfort and potential complications of worsening tooth sensitivity, leading to a more comfortable and confident smile.
• By attending regular dental checkups and practicing excellent oral hygiene, a family proactively addressed potential tooth loss issues, ensuring a healthy smile for years to come. This proactive approach provided them with lasting peace of mind and prevented more extensive, costly dental work later.

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. Melissa DMD:

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

At Dr. Melissa DMD, we recommend seeing our dental team every six months for a checkup and cleaning. 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 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?

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, including regular checkups and cleanings, is essential for maintaining optimal oral and overall health.

When should my child first see a dentist?

Dr. Melissa 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 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. Melissa DMD is committed to providing comfortable and effective root canal therapy.

What are veneers and how are they different from crowns?

Veneers are thin porcelain shells bonded to the front of teeth to improve their appearance. Crowns, on the other hand, are caps that cover the entire tooth to restore its shape, size, and strength after significant damage or decay.

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. Melissa DMD can help diagnose the issue and recommend treatments, such as a custom nightguard to prevent damage from grinding.

Shore Haven Dentistry
11919 Atlantic Blvd Unit 101
Jacksonville FL 32225
Phone: (772) 264-1174

Dr. Melissa Herrera, 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): 1386488179

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. Melissa 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.