Dr. Mendee Bull-Ligon, DDS

Dr. Mendee Bull-Ligon, DDS is a Preventive Dentistry practitioner dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive Preventive Dental care. She practices at her clinic in Saint Petersburg, FL, and is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine, 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 serves all ages and is currently welcoming new patients to begin their proactive health journey; please call (727) 321-7880 to schedule.

Dr. Mendee Bull-Ligon, DDS is a dentistry practitioner in Saint Petersburg, FL, with over 45 years of experience in the medical field. She graduated from Meharry Medical College in 1979 and completed an internship at Gw Hubbard Hosp-Meharry, gaining foundational clinical experience at Bay Pines Va Medical Center (graduated 2011). With over 45 years of dedicated experience in Preventive Dental care, she brings a wealth of clinical knowledge and compassionate care to her patients and their families. Her mission is to provide quality, caring dental services in a relaxed and professional atmosphere. We are a family-friendly dental practice that provides general, cosmetic, and implant services. We accept most PPO insurance plans and currently are contract providers with Delta Dental, Metlife, Cigna, Humana, and Aetna. Dr. Mendee DDS offers consultations in Spanish.

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

• Cavity: A cavity, or tooth decay, is a hole in your tooth caused by bacteria, and preventing them starts with good oral hygiene to avoid more serious dental problems.
• Chipped Tooth: A chipped tooth can lead to increased sensitivity and pain if left untreated; regular dental checkups are crucial for early detection and management.
• Dental Disorders: Dental disorders encompass a range of conditions affecting your teeth and gums, and early detection through regular checkups can prevent serious problems and costly treatments.
• Gingivitis: Gingivitis is an early stage of gum disease, easily treatable with good oral hygiene, preventing it from progressing to more serious problems.
• Grinding of Teeth: Unmanaged teeth grinding can result in cracked teeth, jaw pain, and even headaches; regular dental visits and potential use of a night guard can prevent these complications.
• Gum Disease: Protecting your gums from disease involves practicing good oral hygiene and visiting your dentist regularly for professional cleanings to reduce your risk of gum problems.
• 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.
• Tooth Decay: Tooth decay, or cavities, is preventable with good oral hygiene habits like brushing and flossing, protecting your teeth and gums from serious damage.
• Tooth Discoloration: Preventing tooth discoloration starts with good oral hygiene habits to maintain the natural whiteness of your teeth and avoid future complications.
• Tooth Loss: Protecting your teeth from loss involves diligent brushing, flossing, and regular professional cleanings to reduce your risk of cavities and gum disease.
• 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.

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

• Pocket Reduction Surgery: To prevent further gum disease progression and potential tooth loss, pocket reduction surgery helps to eliminate deep gum pockets and improve the health of your gums.
• Platelet-Rich Fibrin (PRF): Platelet-Rich Fibrin (PRF) is a natural concentrate from your own blood that can help accelerate healing and tissue regeneration after dental procedures, reducing recovery time and improving outcomes.
• Oral Soft Tissue Assessment: During your oral soft tissue assessment, our dentist carefully examines the tissues in your mouth to identify any irregularities, enabling early diagnosis and treatment of conditions like oral thrush or lesions.
• E4D Dentist® CAD-CAM System: Take a proactive step towards better oral health with the E4D Dentist® system, which allows for same-day crowns and restorations, minimizing discomfort and getting you back to a healthy smile faster.
• Dental Prophylaxis: Early detection is key! A dental prophylaxis allows your dentist to identify potential problems like cavities or gum disease before they become major issues, saving you time and expense in the long run.
• Panoramic and Cephalometric Digital Dental X-Rays: Invest in your long-term oral health by getting panoramic and cephalometric X-rays. This advanced imaging helps us comprehensively assess your teeth and jaw structure, enabling early diagnosis and preventing more extensive procedures down the line.
• Limited Gum Surgery: Limited gum surgery helps proactively address early gum disease, preventing more extensive procedures and protecting your overall oral health.

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. Mendee 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 diligently following a preventive dentistry plan, a family significantly reduced their risk of cavities, enjoying the peace of mind that comes with proactive oral health management.
• A patient, noticing a small chip in their tooth early, proactively scheduled a checkup, avoiding the potential for increased sensitivity and pain. Regular dental checkups allowed for prompt intervention and minimized future dental issues.
• By attending regular checkups and following a proactive oral hygiene plan, a family significantly reduced their risk of developing costly dental problems, ensuring a lifetime of healthy smiles.

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. Mendee DDS:

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

At Dr. Mendee DDS, we recommend visiting every six months for a check-up and cleaning. This crucial preventive care helps remove tartar buildup, detects cavities early, and screens 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 removal is crucial for preventing cavities and gum disease, which is linked to other health problems.

How is oral health connected to my overall health?

Your oral health is profoundly connected to your overall well-being. Chronic gum inflammation (periodontitis) has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and poorly controlled diabetes. Regular preventive dental care is crucial for maintaining good oral health and overall 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. Mendee DDS will visually inspect the lips, tongue, gums, and entire mouth for any abnormalities; early detection is key to successful treatment.

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

Can you help with snoring or sleep apnea?

Dr. Mendee DDS can help with some cases of snoring or sleep apnea. For some patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea, we can create a custom-fitted oral appliance worn at night to keep the airway open. This is a comfortable and effective alternative to CPAP for eligible patients.

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, especially for children and teenagers, sealing out food and plaque to prevent cavities from forming in the deep grooves of the teeth.

How can I whiten my teeth safely?

The safest and most effective way to whiten your teeth is under professional supervision. Dr. Mendee DDS can assess your oral health to ensure you are a good candidate and offer professional-grade treatments, like custom trays or in-office procedures, for better and safer results than over-the-counter products.

5201 Central Ave
Saint Petersburg FL 33710
Phone: (727) 321-7880

Dr. Mendee Bull-Ligon, 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): 1508983909

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. Mendee 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.