Dr. Rachel Smith, DMD

Dr. Rachel Smith, DMD is a Preventive Dentistry practitioner dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive Preventive Dental care. As a partner in preventive health featured on weprevent.org, she practices at Aspen Dental in Saint Augustine, 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 committed to collaborative, evidence-based medicine, fostering 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. Call (844) 225-8667 to schedule.

Dr. Rachel Smith, DMD is a dentistry practitioner in Saint Augustine, FL. She is accepting new patients and focuses on the critical importance of prevention in maintaining optimal oral and systemic health. Her approach emphasizes personalized care plans, proactive screenings, and a commitment to creating a supportive environment for patients to take ownership of their dental health. Dr. Rachel DMD is dedicated to empowering her patients through education and collaboration, ensuring they understand their oral health needs and how to achieve long-term wellness. She provides consultations primarily in English.

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

• Malocclusion (Bad Bite): Preventing future dental problems starts with identifying a bad bite early on; malocclusion can lead to uneven wear, jaw pain, and difficulty cleaning teeth effectively.
• Treacher Collins Syndrome: Individuals with Treacher Collins Syndrome may face unique oral health challenges, highlighting the need for regular monitoring and prompt dental intervention to prevent severe complications.
• Dental Tissue Neoplasm: Preventative dental care, including regular checkups and screenings, plays a vital role in the early detection of mouth tumors (dental tissue neoplasms), facilitating timely intervention and improved prognosis.
• Bad Taste in Mouth: A bad taste in your mouth can be a warning sign of poor oral hygiene or underlying health issues, making regular checkups crucial for early detection and prevention.
• Receded Upper Jaw: Preventing further recession of your upper jaw requires prompt attention to gum health, with regular brushing, flossing, and professional cleanings being key preventative measures.
• Congenital Nasal Deformity: A congenital nasal deformity is a birth defect affecting the nose's structure, and while not directly a dental issue, early identification can help prevent potential breathing problems that might indirectly impact oral health.
• Jaw Bone Tissue Deterioration: Maintaining strong jawbone health is crucial for preventing tooth loss and other oral health complications, making regular dental visits essential.

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

• Cerec® Tooth Restoration Procedure: Maintain optimal oral health and prevent further decay by choosing CEREC®; this procedure delivers durable restorations, ensuring the long-term health of your teeth.
• Inlay Restoration: An inlay restoration is a precise and long-lasting solution for moderate tooth decay, preventing the need for more invasive treatments like crowns and ultimately saving your tooth.
• Smile Makeovers: Invest in your well-being with a smile makeover – it provides a thorough evaluation of your oral health, enabling early intervention and prevention of major problems.
• Ultrasonic Dental Cleaning: Ultrasonic dental cleaning helps remove plaque and tartar buildup, preventing cavities and gum disease before they start.
• Impacted Tooth Removal: Addressing impacted teeth through removal is a key step in preventing serious dental issues, like gum disease and damage to adjacent teeth, and preserving the long-term health of your smile.
• Essix Retainer: An Essix retainer helps maintain the straightness of your teeth after orthodontic treatment, preventing them from shifting and potentially needing further correction.
• Philips Zoom!: As part of your comprehensive oral health plan, Philips Zoom! can enhance your smile's aesthetic appeal, which contributes to improved oral self-care and overall well-being.

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. Rachel 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 addressing potential malocclusion early, a family gained peace of mind knowing they were proactively reducing the risk of future dental issues and maintaining a healthy smile.
• By adhering to a proactive dental care plan, a family with a child diagnosed with Treacher Collins Syndrome found early intervention greatly reduced the risk of future dental complications, fostering a sense of peace and proactive health management.
• By adhering to a proactive dental care plan, including regular checkups and screenings, a patient identified and addressed a potential dental tissue neoplasm early, significantly reducing their risk and fostering peace of mind.

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. Rachel DMD:

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

We recommend visiting Dr. Rachel DMD and our dental hygienists every six months for a check-up and cleaning. This schedule is crucial for removing tartar buildup that brushing can't, catching cavities early, and screening 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, importantly, gum disease, which can be 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 optimal body health.

What causes tooth sensitivity?

Tooth sensitivity can stem from various factors, including worn enamel, receding gums exposing the tooth root, or tiny cracks in the tooth. A proper diagnosis by Dr. Rachel DMD is needed to determine the specific cause and recommend appropriate treatments, such as desensitizing toothpaste or in-office procedures.

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

Can you help with snoring or sleep apnea?

Dr. Rachel DMD can help manage sleep-disordered breathing. For some 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 eligible patients.

How can I whiten my teeth safely?

The safest and most effective way to whiten your teeth is under professional supervision. Dr. Rachel DMD can assess your oral health, recommend appropriate professional-grade treatments like custom trays or in-office procedures, and ensure a safe and effective whitening process.

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 tooth extraction.

Aspen Dental
1747 US Highway 1 S
Saint Augustine FL 32084
Phone: (844) 225-8667

Dr. Rachel Smith, 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): 1225392889

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. Rachel 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.