Dr. Tara Griffin, DMD

Dr. Tara Griffin, DMD is a Preventive Dentistry specialist dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive preventative dental care. She practices at her clinic in Orlando, 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 is committed to serving all ages, and welcomes new patients to begin their proactive health journey. Please call (407) 502-0110 to schedule.

Dr. Tara's passion for dentistry stems from a desire to enhance lives through improved oral health. With over 15 years of dedicated experience in Preventive Dental care, she brings a wealth of clinical knowledge and compassionate care to her patients and their families. She earned her medical degree from Nova Southeastern University in 2006 and is a certified practitioner in Botox® and Juvederm® treatments, as well as a worldwide instructor for DNA Appliances® for BioModeling Solutions. Dr. Tara is a member of several prestigious dental organizations, including the American Dental Association (ADA), and is deeply committed to the Emerald Coast Dental Spa's philosophy of compassionate, caring, and premier dental service. She is dedicated to providing the finest dental and spa services available, enhancing smiles, prolonging youth, and changing lives in a relaxing and calm environment. Dr. Tara DMD provides consultations primarily in English.

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

• Sensitive Teeth: Sensitive teeth, often a sign of enamel wear or exposed dentin, can be managed early to prevent further tooth decay and discomfort.
• Excessive Tooth Wear: Managing factors contributing to tooth wear, such as bruxism or acidic diets, is essential for preventing irreversible damage and maintaining a healthy, comfortable smile.
• Gingivitis: Gingivitis, characterized by red, swollen gums, is a preventable condition; addressing it promptly safeguards your gums and supports overall well-being.
• Grinding of Teeth: Protecting your teeth from the damage caused by teeth grinding is vital for preventing costly and painful dental work down the line; talking to your dentist is the first step.
• 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.
• Loose Teeth: Don't ignore loose teeth – they indicate a problem that, if left untreated, can lead to infections, further tooth loss, and even impact your overall health.
• Mouth Conditions: Managing mouth conditions effectively helps protect your teeth, gums, and overall well-being, enhancing your quality of life.
• Tooth Discoloration: Preventing tooth discoloration starts with good oral hygiene habits to maintain the natural whiteness of your teeth and avoid future complications.
• Teething: Teething, while a normal part of baby development, requires careful monitoring to prevent potential gum irritation and infections, ensuring your child's healthy smile from the start.
• Halitosis: Managing halitosis through good oral hygiene is key to preventing the progression of gum disease and cavities, safeguarding your overall oral health.
• Oral Infection: Catching an oral infection early through routine dental visits can help prevent serious complications like tooth loss or spread of infection to other parts of the body.
• 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.

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. Tara 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: 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.
• Fluoride Varnish: As part of your commitment to overall wellness, fluoride varnish offers a powerful preventative measure against tooth decay, contributing to a healthier, brighter smile.
• Dental Procedure: A dental procedure is a proactive step to detect and prevent cavities and gum disease through a comprehensive oral exam and cleaning.
• Gum Disease Treatment: Take proactive steps towards preventing gum disease and its potential health complications by seeking gum disease treatment.
• Dental Bridge: To maintain a healthy smile and prevent bite problems, consider a dental bridge as a solution for restoring missing teeth.
• 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.
• Teeth Scaling: Teeth scaling is a professional cleaning that removes plaque and tartar buildup, helping prevent cavities and gum disease before they start.
• Pediatric Dental Exam: A pediatric dental exam is a proactive approach to ensuring your child's teeth and gums develop properly, helping prevent future dental problems and maintain overall oral health.
• Teeth Polishing: Teeth polishing helps remove surface stains and plaque buildup, preventing cavities and keeping your smile bright.
• Amalgam Dental Fillings: Amalgam fillings are a durable way to restore teeth damaged by decay, proactively preventing further infection and preserving your natural smile.
• Dental Cleaning: A dental cleaning is a simple yet effective preventative measure to keep your mouth healthy, detecting any issues early and avoiding future complications.
• 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.

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. Tara 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 sensitive teeth early, a patient avoided further dental discomfort and proactively maintained a healthy smile. A proactive approach to dental care significantly reduced the risk of future complications.
• By understanding and addressing potential causes of tooth wear, like bruxism, a patient significantly reduced the risk of future dental problems, maintaining a healthy and confident smile.
• By attending regular checkups and following a personalized oral hygiene plan, a patient successfully maintained healthy gums, preventing the onset of gingivitis and promoting overall well-being.

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. Tara DMD:

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

At Dr. Tara DMD, we recommend seeing a dentist and dental hygienist every six months for checkups and cleanings. This helps remove tartar buildup that 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 process is crucial for preventing cavities and, more importantly, gum disease, which is linked to other health problems like heart disease.

How is oral health connected to my overall health?

Oral health is intricately linked to overall well-being. Chronic gum inflammation, or periodontitis, is associated with an increased risk of serious conditions like heart disease, stroke, and poorly controlled diabetes. Preventive dental care, including regular checkups and cleanings, is crucial for maintaining not only a healthy mouth but also a healthy body.

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, sealing out food and plaque to prevent 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?

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. Tara DMD can help diagnose the issue and recommend treatments, such as a custom nightguard to prevent damage from teeth grinding.

What are veneers and how are they different from crowns?

Veneers are thin porcelain shells bonded to the front of teeth to improve their appearance. Crowns, on the other hand, are caps that cover the entire tooth to restore its shape, size, and strength after significant damage or decay.

What causes tooth sensitivity?

Tooth sensitivity can be caused by worn enamel, receding gums exposing the tooth root, or tiny cracks in the teeth. A proper diagnosis by Dr. Tara DMD is necessary to determine the specific cause and recommend effective treatments, such as desensitizing toothpaste or in-office procedures.

6424 Alexandra Louise Dr Ste 250
Orlando FL 32827
Phone: (407) 502-0110

Dr. Tara Griffin, 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): 1205084704

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. Tara 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.