Dr. Terry Richmond, DDS

Dr. Terry Richmond, DDS is a Preventive Dentistry specialist dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive preventative dental care. He is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practices under Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice), at Northeast Dentistry in Pensacola, FL. His 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 committed to serving all ages, and welcomes new patients to begin their proactive health journey. Please call (859) 349-5583 to schedule an appointment.

Dr. Richmond's commitment to preventive care stems from his extensive experience. After graduating from dental school, he served his country in the U.S. Air Force, maintaining the dental health of his fellow service members. Following his military service, he relocated to Pensacola, Florida, where he has practiced for 30 years, providing reliable and affordable dental care to his community. He is a member of the American Dental Association and the Northwest District Dental Association, reflecting his dedication to professional excellence. In his spare time, Dr. Richmond enjoys the outdoors, highlighting his active and healthy lifestyle that he embodies in his practice. His care philosophy is to provide the highest quality of oral health care in a warm and welcoming environment. Dr. Terry DDS provides consultations primarily in English.

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

• Receding Gums: Receding gums, a sign of gum disease, can be prevented with diligent brushing and flossing, protecting your teeth and overall health.
• Clicking of Temporomandibular Joint: Don't ignore jaw clicking – it might signal TMJ trouble. Early detection and management with your dentist will help you prevent future jaw pain and dysfunction.
• Dental Injury: Managing dental injuries promptly through professional care can reduce the need for extensive restorative work later, protecting your smile and preventing complications.
• Swollen Gums: Noticeable gum swelling warrants a visit to your dentist; early intervention can often reverse the condition and maintain good oral health.
• Tooth Decay: Tooth decay, or cavities, is preventable with good oral hygiene habits like brushing and flossing, protecting your teeth and gums from serious damage.
• Dental Trauma: Addressing dental trauma promptly and effectively helps prevent secondary infections and complications such as bone loss or facial deformities, maintaining healthy oral structures.
• Gingivitis: Catching gingivitis early through regular dental checkups and proper brushing/flossing helps prevent permanent gum damage and tooth loss.
• Mouth Conditions: Addressing mouth conditions promptly can stop minor issues from escalating into major problems, saving you time, money, and discomfort.
• Cavity: Maintaining good oral hygiene significantly reduces your risk of developing cavities, protecting your smile and contributing to your overall well-being.
• Tender Gums: Tender gums can be a sign of early gum disease, so addressing them promptly helps prevent more serious problems like tooth loss.
• Sensitive Teeth: Experiencing sensitive teeth? Addressing this early can help avoid more serious dental problems like cavities and gum disease.
• Tooth Discoloration: Discolored teeth can sometimes indicate more serious conditions, emphasizing the importance of preventive dental care and early detection.

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

• Amalgam Dental Fillings: Protecting your teeth from further damage and potential infection, amalgam fillings act as a proactive measure to maintain your overall oral health.
• Cosmetic Procedure: Cosmetic dental work can address minor imperfections that might otherwise affect your self-esteem and lead to neglecting dental care.
• Dental Cleaning: Protect your smile and overall health with professional dental cleanings, which screen for early signs of gum disease and cavities.
• Dental Crown: A dental crown is a cap placed over a damaged tooth to restore its shape, strength, and protect it from further decay, helping you keep your natural smile for longer.
• Dental Hygiene Services: Maintain optimal oral hygiene and prevent costly dental work down the line with routine dental hygiene services—a small investment with huge returns for your smile.
• Dental Implant: Replacing a missing tooth with a dental implant prevents the shifting of adjacent teeth and maintains the proper alignment of your bite.
• Root Canal: Root canal treatment is a vital step in preventing the spread of infection from a severely damaged tooth to other areas of your mouth and body, promoting overall well-being.
• Teeth Whitening: Brighten your smile and boost your confidence with teeth whitening, a simple step towards maintaining overall oral health.
• Tooth-Conserving Dentistry: Protecting your natural teeth is key to your overall health, and tooth-conserving dentistry provides the necessary preventive and restorative care to achieve that.

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. Terry DDS 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 consistently practicing good oral hygiene, a patient successfully maintained healthy gums, preventing the onset of receding gums and ensuring a confident smile for years to come.
• By addressing jaw clicking early with preventative dental care, a patient avoided further TMJ pain and maintained a healthy, functioning jaw. This proactive approach ensured a positive outcome and peace of mind.
• By attending regular checkups and following a personalized prevention plan, a patient significantly reduced their risk of dental injury, ensuring a healthy and beautiful 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. Terry DDS:

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

At Dr. Terry DDS, we recommend seeing a dentist and dental hygienist every six months. This allows us to remove tartar buildup that brushing alone can't, catch cavities early, and screen 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 gum disease, which can be linked to other health problems.

How is oral health connected to my overall health?

Your oral health is directly linked to your overall well-being. 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 oral and overall health.

When should my child first see a dentist?

Dr. Terry DDS recommends that children's first dental visit occur within six months of their first tooth erupting, or by their first birthday. This early visit is crucial for ensuring proper tooth development and establishing a positive dental home for future care.

Are dental X-rays safe, and why do I need them?

Modern digital dental X-rays use extremely low levels of radiation and are very safe. They allow Dr. Terry DDS to see issues like cavities, bone loss, and impacted teeth that aren't visible otherwise, enabling early intervention and better oral health.

Do you perform oral cancer screenings?

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

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.

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. Terry DDS can help diagnose the issue and recommend treatments, like a custom nightguard, to prevent damage from grinding.

Northeast Dentistry
2999 Langley Ave
Pensacola FL 32504
Phone: (859) 349-5583

Dr. Terry Richmond, DDS 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): 1265704720

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. Terry DDS 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.