Dr. Peter Harrison, BDS

Dr. Peter Harrison, BDS is a Preventive Dentistry practitioner dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive preventative dental care. He practices at his clinic in Gainesville, FL, and is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine, practicing under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). His commitment to preventative care is central to his approach, recognizing that oral health is intricately linked to overall well-being.

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. Dr. Peter BDS is committed to collaborative, evidence-based medicine, fostering a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. He serves all ages and is dedicated to providing high-quality, comprehensive care. Please call (352) 273-5785 to confirm if he is currently accepting new patients.

Dr. Peter Harrison, BDS is a dentistry practitioner in Gainesville, FL, dedicated to preventive care and providing personalized plans to maintain optimal oral health. He prioritizes a patient-centered approach, emphasizing collaboration and empowering patients to actively participate in their dental health journey. Dr. Peter BDS provides consultations primarily in English.

A key part of the WePrevent mission is building your personalized prevention roadmap. Dr. Peter BDS 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. Peter BDS 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. Peter BDS 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: Don't ignore a lingering bad taste; it could be a symptom that needs attention to prevent cavities, gum disease, or other oral health issues.
• Tooth Attrition: Early detection of tooth attrition through routine dental visits allows for timely intervention, preventing further damage and preserving your teeth's natural structure.
• Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorder: TMJ disorder, affecting your jaw joint, can cause pain and limit function, but early detection and management through lifestyle changes and professional guidance can prevent long-term complications.
• Excessive Tooth Wear: Excessive tooth wear, often unnoticed until advanced, can lead to increased sensitivity and tooth damage, highlighting the importance of regular dental checkups for early detection and preventive treatment.
• Dental Spacing: Proper dental spacing prevents food particles from getting trapped, reducing your risk of cavities and gum disease.
• Infected Tooth Pulp: An infected tooth pulp is a serious complication of untreated tooth decay, highlighting the importance of proactive dental care to avoid pain, extensive treatment, and potential systemic health issues.
• Van der Woude Syndrome: Children with Van der Woude syndrome benefit from proactive dental check-ups to mitigate potential challenges associated with the condition, preventing secondary oral health 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. Peter BDS offers a range of key preventive screenings and services designed to provide crucial insights into your health and support your well-being:

• Oral Sedation: Oral sedation helps make dental procedures more comfortable, allowing for thorough exams and treatments to prevent future dental problems.
• Pulpotomy: By addressing the inner portion of your child's damaged tooth, a pulpotomy helps prevent the spread of infection and preserves the natural tooth structure for better long-term oral health.
• ViziLite® Plus: ViziLite® Plus enhances your regular dental checkup by providing a more thorough examination, helping your dentist detect subtle changes in your mouth's tissues that might otherwise go unnoticed, potentially preventing serious oral health issues.
• Jaw Reconstruction Surgery: Jaw reconstruction surgery can correct structural issues in your jaw, improving bite alignment and preventing future dental problems.
• Same-Day Dental Onlays: Protect your smile and your overall health by opting for same-day onlays – a convenient way to address moderate tooth decay before it becomes a more serious problem.
• Jaw Surgery: To maintain optimal oral health, consider jaw surgery as a way to address structural abnormalities that could increase your risk of developing gum disease or cavities.
• MAC Veneers™: Enhance your smile and safeguard your teeth with MAC Veneers™; this cosmetic treatment can improve your oral health by protecting vulnerable enamel from further wear and tear.

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. Peter BDS 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 patient, noticing a persistent bad taste, proactively scheduled a checkup. Early intervention helped prevent the development of more serious oral health problems, providing peace of mind and a healthier smile.
• By attending regular dental checkups, a family proactively identified early signs of tooth attrition, reducing the risk of future damage and maintaining healthy smiles for years to come.
• By addressing potential TMJ issues proactively through regular checkups and lifestyle modifications, a patient experienced reduced jaw pain and improved overall comfort, preventing future complications.

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. Peter BDS:

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

For most people, a checkup and cleaning every six months is recommended by Dr. Peter BDS. This crucial preventive care removes tartar buildup that brushing misses, catches cavities early, and screens for gum disease and oral cancer.

Why are routine dental cleanings so important for prevention?

Even with meticulous brushing and flossing, plaque hardens into tartar that only a professional cleaning can remove. This crucial step prevents cavities and, more importantly, gum disease, which has links to other health problems like heart disease.

How is oral health connected to my overall health?

Oral health is intricately 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 crucial for maintaining good oral and overall body health.

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. Left untreated, gingivitis can progress to periodontitis, a more serious stage where the bone supporting your teeth is damaged, potentially leading to tooth loss.

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

How can I whiten my teeth safely?

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

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. It's not a painful procedure, but rather a necessary one to protect your smile.

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 seal out food and plaque to prevent cavities from forming in the deep grooves of the teeth.

1600 SW Archer Rd
Gainesville FL 32610
Phone: (352) 273-5785

Dr. Peter Harrison, BDS 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): 1265727994

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. Peter BDS 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.