Dr. Stephanie Baya, DMD

Dr. Stephanie Baya, DMD is a Preventive Dentistry specialist dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive preventative dental care. She practices at her clinic in Destin, 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 empowering all ages to take control of their oral health, and welcomes new patients to begin their proactive health journey. Call (850) 654-8665 to schedule.

Dr. Stephanie Baya is an associate dentist at The Center for Cosmetic and Family Dentistry, practicing at both their Destin and Panama City Beach locations. A second-generation dentist and a true local, Dr. Baya graduated from Niceville High School and earned a BS in Microbiology and Cell Science from the University of Florida before pursuing her Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from the University of Florida's College of Dentistry. Her commitment to continuous learning and patient-centered care is evident in her membership in several respected dental associations, including the Florida Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, the American Dental Association, Florida Dental Association, and Northwest District Dental Association. She is also actively engaged in continuing education at the Dawson Academy for Advanced Dental Studies, ensuring she stays current with the latest techniques and technology. Dr. Baya's approach to care is deeply collaborative and evidence-based, fostering a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to actively participate in their long-term oral health. Dr. Stephanie DMD provides consultations primarily in English.

A key part of the WePrevent mission is building your personalized prevention roadmap. Dr. Stephanie 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. Stephanie 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. Stephanie 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 Disorders: Maintaining good oral hygiene is key to preventing many dental disorders, significantly reducing your risk of developing cavities, gum disease, and other complications.
• Dental Spacing: Proper dental spacing prevents food particles from getting trapped, reducing your risk of cavities and gum disease.
• Dental Crowding: Dental crowding, where teeth are too tightly packed, increases your risk of cavities and gum disease if not addressed early, highlighting the importance of regular checkups.
• Toothache: A toothache can be a warning sign of a cavity or infection, highlighting the importance of regular dental checkups for early detection and prevention.
• Bleeding Gums: Regular brushing and flossing are your first line of defense against bleeding gums, and early detection and treatment help protect your overall health.
• Chipped Tooth: Protecting your teeth from chipping through preventive measures like wearing a mouthguard during sports can significantly reduce your risk of future dental problems.
• Stained Teeth: Preventing tooth staining through good oral hygiene practices can significantly reduce your risk of developing more serious dental conditions.
• Tooth Discoloration: Discolored teeth can sometimes indicate more serious conditions, emphasizing the importance of preventive dental care and early detection.
• Tooth Loss: Managing existing dental problems like gum disease and cavities promptly can help you maintain your natural teeth and avoid the need for tooth replacements.
• Cavity: Maintaining good oral hygiene significantly reduces your risk of developing cavities, protecting your smile and contributing to your overall well-being.
• Gum Disease: Gum disease is a chronic condition, but regular dental visits and proper at-home care can help manage the disease and prevent its progression.
• Tooth Decay: Catching tooth decay early through regular dental checkups can prevent painful cavities, fillings, and more extensive treatments down the line.

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

• Porcelain Veneers: Porcelain veneers offer a proactive approach to addressing chipped, stained, or misshapen teeth, significantly improving your smile's aesthetics and protecting tooth structure.
• Simple Tooth Extractions: Simple tooth extraction helps prevent future dental problems by removing a damaged tooth that might otherwise lead to more extensive and costly treatment.
• Implant-Supported Bridge: An implant-supported bridge offers a long-lasting and natural-looking solution to missing teeth, improving your confidence and maintaining your overall oral health.
• Composite Fillings: Composite fillings are a proactive way to repair cavities and prevent further tooth decay, protecting your smile's long-term health.
• Dental Crown: To safeguard your oral health, a dental crown can be used to strengthen a weakened tooth, preventing future infection or the need for more extensive dental work.
• Dental Bridge: To maintain a healthy smile and prevent bite problems, consider a dental bridge as a solution for restoring missing teeth.
• Dental Bonding: As part of your commitment to overall wellness, dental bonding offers a straightforward solution to improve tooth structure and esthetics, thereby reducing the risk of more complex dental issues down the line.
• 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.
• Gum Disease Treatment: Invest in your well-being with gum disease treatment; it's a crucial step in maintaining healthy gums and preventing more serious issues.
• Implant-Supported Dentures: Securely replace missing teeth and enhance your chewing function and oral health with implant-supported dentures, a reliable long-term solution that helps prevent further dental problems.
• Root Canal: Protecting your overall oral health, a root canal treatment addresses severe tooth decay or injury, relieving pain and preventing the need for an extraction.
• Dental Procedure: Protecting your smile and overall well-being starts with regular dental procedures which act as a vital screening and preventive measure.

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. Stephanie 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 following a proactive preventive dentistry plan, a family experienced significantly reduced risk of dental disorders, enjoying the peace of mind that comes with healthy smiles and confident oral hygiene.
• By addressing dental spacing proactively, a family experienced a significant reduction in the risk of cavities and gum disease, fostering a greater sense of oral health confidence.
• By scheduling regular checkups and following a personalized prevention plan, a family proactively addressed potential dental crowding, significantly reducing their risk of future dental problems and enjoying a confident smile.

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. Stephanie DMD:

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

For most people, visiting Dr. Stephanie DMD and our dental hygienists every six months is recommended for a check-up and cleaning. This helps prevent tartar buildup, which brushing alone can't remove, and allows us to 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 (calculus) that only a professional cleaning can remove. This removal is crucial for preventing cavities and, importantly, gum disease, which has links to other health problems like heart disease.

How is oral health connected to my overall health?

Your oral health is deeply connected to your overall well-being. Chronic gum inflammation, or periodontitis, is linked to an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and poorly controlled diabetes. Preventive dental care is crucial for maintaining not only a healthy mouth but also your overall body health.

How can I whiten my teeth safely?

The safest and most effective way to whiten your teeth is under professional supervision. Dr. Stephanie DMD can assess your oral health to ensure you're 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.

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. Stephanie DMD can help with snoring and some cases of sleep apnea. 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, offering a comfortable and effective alternative to CPAP.

What is TMJ disorder?

Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) disorder is a condition affecting the jaw joint and muscles that control jaw movement. Common symptoms include jaw pain, clicking or popping sounds, and headaches. Dr. Stephanie DMD can help diagnose the issue and recommend treatments like a custom nightguard to prevent damage from grinding.

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. Stephanie DMD is happy to discuss this further with you.

4635 Gulfstarr Dr
Destin FL 32541
Phone: (850) 654-8665

Dr. Stephanie Baya, 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): 1982959805

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. Stephanie 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.