Dr. Terri Andrews, DMD

Dr. Terri Andrews, DMD is a Preventive Dentistry practitioner dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive Preventive Dental care. She practices at her clinic in Lake City, 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 and creates a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. Dr. Terri DMD provides consultations primarily in English. All ages are welcome. Please call (386) 752-3043 to confirm if she is currently accepting new patients.

As a dentistry practitioner in Lake City, FL, Dr. Terri DMD is deeply invested in the well-being of her patients. Her approach centers on the vital role of prevention, emphasizing personalized plans tailored to each individual's unique needs. She understands that optimal oral health contributes significantly to overall systemic health, and her dedication extends to coordinating comprehensive care, ensuring all necessary screenings are addressed. She believes in empowering patients with the knowledge and tools to take control of their oral health journey and maintain a lifetime of well-being. Her practice prioritizes a collaborative environment where open communication and shared decision-making are key to achieving the best possible outcomes.

Dr. Terri DMD is available to provide consultations primarily in English. Please call (386) 752-3043 to confirm if she is currently accepting new patients. She welcomes patients of all ages and is committed to offering high-quality, preventative dental care to the Lake City community.

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

• Salivary Gland Stones and Inflammation: Ignoring salivary gland issues can result in severe complications, so prompt dental care for any signs of swelling or pain is crucial for preventing long-term problems.
• Unequal Jaw Growth: Mismatched jaw growth may affect your bite and increase your risk of developing temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, highlighting the importance of regular dental checkups for preventative care.
• Tartar Buildup: Tartar buildup, a hard deposit on teeth, is a major risk factor for gum disease and cavities, so regular brushing and professional cleanings are essential for prevention.
• Gum Disease: Don't let gum disease put your overall health at risk; proactive steps such as brushing, flossing, and regular dental checkups can significantly minimize your chances of developing this preventable condition.
• Ectopic Eruption: To maintain optimal oral health, it's important to address ectopic eruptions promptly, as they can lead to misaligned teeth, impacting chewing and increasing the risk of cavities and gum disease.
• Receding Gums: Protecting your gums from recession through proper oral hygiene is a key component of preventative dental care, safeguarding your smile and overall well-being.
• Papilloma: Preventive dental care, including regular checkups and screenings, allows for the early detection of oral papillomas, which can reduce the need for more complex treatments later on.

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

• Apicoectomy: An apicoectomy is a surgical procedure that removes the infected tip of a tooth's root to prevent further infection and save the tooth.
• Mini Dental Braces: Mini dental braces, also known as lingual braces or clear aligners, are a proactive step to straighten your teeth and improve your bite, preventing future jaw problems and enhancing your smile.
• Broken Dental Appliance: Don't let a broken retainer or bridge compromise your smile and oral hygiene; scheduling a repair ensures the continued effectiveness of your dental work.
• Teeth Whitening: Teeth whitening can reveal underlying dental issues early, allowing for prompt treatment and prevention of more significant problems.
• Picasso® Soft Tissue Laser Procedure: As part of your commitment to preventive care, consider the Picasso® Soft Tissue Laser procedure to help detect and treat gum disease, preserving your smile and overall wellbeing.
• Trudenta® Treatments: Invest in your well-being with Trudenta® Treatments; these screenings help detect early signs of oral health problems, enabling timely interventions and preventing complications.
• Root Canal Retreatment: This procedure helps identify and remove residual infection in a previously root-filled tooth, preventing future problems and ensuring the long-term health of your teeth.

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. Terri 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 early signs of swelling and pain, a patient proactively managed potential salivary gland issues, avoiding the risk of severe complications and maintaining a comfortable quality of life.
• By attending regular dental checkups and following a proactive treatment plan, a family was relieved to learn that early intervention minimized the risk of mismatched jaw growth and associated TMJ issues.
• By scheduling regular dental cleanings, a patient successfully prevented tartar buildup, significantly reducing their risk of gum disease and cavities, and maintaining a healthy 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. Terri DMD:

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

At Dr. Terri DMD, we recommend visiting every six months for a check-up and cleaning. This allows our dental hygienists to remove tartar buildup that brushing alone can't, enabling 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 that only a professional cleaning can remove. This is crucial for preventing cavities and, more importantly, gum disease, which has been linked to other health problems like heart disease.

How is oral health connected to my overall health?

Your oral health is intrinsically linked to your overall well-being. Chronic gum inflammation (periodontitis) has been connected to an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and poorly controlled diabetes. Preventive dental care is essential for maintaining optimal body 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 to prevent cavities from forming in the deep grooves of the teeth.

Do you perform oral cancer screenings?

Yes, an oral cancer screening is a routine and important part of every dental check-up. Dr. Terri will visually inspect your lips, tongue, gums, and entire mouth for any abnormalities, as early detection is key to successful treatment.

Can you help with snoring or sleep apnea?

Dr. Terri DMD can help with 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. Terri DMD can assess your oral health to determine if you are 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 implants?

Dental implants are the modern gold standard for replacing missing teeth. They are titanium posts that act like artificial tooth roots, which are then topped with a natural-looking crown. This helps prevent bone loss and preserves the health of adjacent teeth.

272 SW Bentley Pl
Lake City FL 32025
Phone: (386) 752-3043

Dr. Terri Andrews, 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): 1780730754

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. Terri 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.