Dr. Rick Harrison, DMD

Dr. Rick Harrison, DMD is a Preventive Dentistry specialist dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive preventive dental care. He practices at his clinic in Jacksonville Beach, Florida, 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. He is experienced in Implants, Veneers and Whitening, and is a professional member of the American Dental Association, the Florida Dental Association and the Northeast District Dental Association.

Dr. Rick K. Harrison, a General and Cosmetic Dentist serving the Jacksonville Beach area for over 25 years, brings a wealth of clinical knowledge and compassionate care to his patients and their families. He earned his medical degree from Louisville School Of Dentistry - D.M.D. in 1989. He is committed to collaborative, evidence-based medicine and creating a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health, and he serves all ages. Dr. Rick DMD provides consultations primarily in English and welcomes new patients to begin their proactive health journey. Please call (904) 241-4237 to schedule.

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

• Cavity: Catching cavities early through regular checkups and cleanings helps prevent larger, more painful problems down the line and keeps your teeth healthy longer.
• Tooth Damage: Early detection of tooth damage through routine dental exams allows for less invasive treatment, preventing further decay and preserving your natural teeth.
• Tooth Decay: Catching tooth decay early through regular dental checkups can prevent painful cavities, fillings, and more extensive treatments down the line.
• 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.
• Toothache: Toothaches often signal underlying dental problems; addressing them early helps prevent complications and preserves your oral health, impacting overall well-being.
• Gingival Fibromatosis: Overgrowth of gum tissue, known as gingival fibromatosis, can be monitored through regular dental visits, helping to prevent problems like gum disease and difficulty cleaning teeth.
• Candidiasis of Mouth: Oral thrush, or candidiasis, is a fungal infection of the mouth that's preventable with good oral hygiene and early detection, helping avoid further complications.

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

• Dental Bonding: Take a proactive step towards preventing future dental problems by considering dental bonding; it can repair minor tooth damage before it worsens, saving you from more extensive procedures later.
• Dental Bridge: Protect your overall oral health and prevent further complications by choosing a dental bridge to fill the gaps where you're missing teeth.
• Dental Cleaning: Protect your smile and overall health with professional dental cleanings, which screen for early signs of gum disease and cavities.
• Dental Crown: As part of proactive dental care, a crown can help restore a tooth after significant decay or trauma, reducing the risk of tooth loss and maintaining your overall oral 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.
• Dental Sealant: Safeguarding your smile's longevity, dental sealants offer a simple and effective way to prevent cavities, particularly in hard-to-clean areas of your teeth.
• Endodontic Treatment: Endodontic treatment, or root canal therapy, helps save your natural tooth by addressing infection or damage within the tooth's root, preventing tooth loss and potential future complications.
• Root Canal: As a proactive measure to save your natural tooth, root canal therapy eliminates infection, halting the progression of severe tooth damage and preserving your smile's structure.
• Scaling and Root Planing: Scaling and root planing is a thorough cleaning that helps detect early signs of gum disease, allowing for prompt treatment and protecting your teeth and gums.
• Teeth Whitening: Teeth whitening can reveal underlying dental issues early, allowing for prompt treatment and prevention of more significant problems.

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. Rick 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 attending regular checkups and cleanings, a family discovered and addressed a small cavity early, preventing further damage and maintaining healthy smiles for years to come.
• By attending regular checkups and following a personalized prevention plan, a family discovered early signs of potential tooth damage, enabling them to address the issue with minimal intervention and maintain healthy smiles.
• By attending regular checkups and following preventative recommendations, a family significantly reduced their risk of developing tooth decay, ensuring a healthier, more comfortable smile for years to come.

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. Rick DMD:

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

At Dr. Rick DMD, we recommend visiting every six months for a check-up and cleaning. This helps remove tartar buildup that daily 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 meticulous 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 is linked to other health problems.

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.

Can you help with snoring or sleep apnea?

Dr. Rick DMD can help with snoring and sleep apnea. For some patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea, we 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.

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. Rick to see issues like cavities and bone loss that aren't visible, enabling early intervention and better oral health.

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, preventing cavities from forming in the deep grooves of the teeth.

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 the teeth is damaged, potentially leading to tooth loss.

What is TMJ disorder?

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

227 11th Ave S
Jacksonville Beach FL 32250
Phone: (904) 241-4237

Dr. Rick Harrison, 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): 1548263445

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. Rick 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.