Dr. Thomas Hand Jr, DDS

Dr. Thomas Hand Jr, DDS is a Preventive Dentistry practitioner dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive Preventive Dental care. He practices at his clinic in Winter Park, FL, and is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine, practicing under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). His commitment to 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 dedicated to a collaborative, evidence-based approach, fostering a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health, and welcomes patients of all ages.

Dr. Thomas DDS's practice focuses on the crucial role of prevention in maintaining optimal oral health. He understands that proactive care is key to avoiding future dental issues and strives to create personalized plans tailored to each patient's unique needs. This personalized approach extends beyond the immediate dental concerns, encompassing the broader context of overall wellness. He is currently accepting new patients, so please call (407) 647-6633 to schedule your appointment and begin your proactive health journey. Dr. Thomas Hand Jr, DDS is a dentistry practitioner in Winter Park, FL. He is accepting new patients. Dr. Thomas DDS provides consultations primarily in English.

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

• 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.
• Chipped Tooth: Addressing a chipped tooth promptly minimizes the chance of the chip worsening, possibly leading to a more complex and costly repair later on.
• 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.
• 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.
• Broken Tooth: Addressing a broken tooth promptly minimizes the risk of infection spreading to other teeth or to your overall health, emphasizing the connection between oral and systemic well-being.
• Toothache: Ignoring a toothache can lead to more serious problems like gum disease or the need for extensive dental work, emphasizing the value of prompt treatment.
• Tooth Demineralization: Tooth demineralization is the gradual loss of minerals from your tooth enamel, increasing your susceptibility to cavities; maintaining excellent oral hygiene and seeing your dentist regularly can stop this process.
• Cavity: Cavities are preventable! Practicing good oral hygiene and regular dental visits are key to protecting your teeth from decay and maintaining your overall oral health.
• Gingivitis: Gingivitis is an early stage of gum disease, easily treatable with good oral hygiene, preventing it from progressing to more serious problems.
• Tooth Discoloration: Discolored teeth can sometimes indicate more serious conditions, emphasizing the importance of preventive dental care and early detection.
• Tooth Attrition: Attrition, the gradual wearing down of teeth, can be significantly reduced by adopting preventive habits and seeking professional dental advice, ensuring a long-term, healthy smile.
• Tooth Abscess: Preventing tooth decay and gum disease through diligent oral hygiene is crucial, as these conditions can lead to painful and costly tooth abscesses.

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

• Porcelain Veneers: As a proactive measure for improving your smile and protecting your teeth, porcelain veneers offer a long-term solution to enhance your confidence and maintain healthy teeth.
• Restoration of Dental Implants: Maintaining the health of your dental implants through timely restoration helps preserve your smile, improve chewing function, and promotes overall oral health.
• Root Canal: A root canal helps save a severely infected tooth by removing the damaged pulp and preventing further infection or tooth loss, preserving your natural smile.
• Ultrasonic Dental Cleaning: Take a proactive step towards better oral health with an ultrasonic cleaning; it's a thorough cleaning that helps detect 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.
• Teeth Scaling: Protecting your gum health starts with scaling, a procedure that screens for early signs of gum disease and keeps your smile healthy.
• Dental Bonding: Dental bonding is a simple, effective way to address minor cosmetic flaws and protect your teeth, helping you maintain a healthy, beautiful smile as part of your overall health routine.
• Teeth Whitening: Professional teeth whitening is more than just aesthetics; it encourages regular dental checkups, supporting the early detection of oral health concerns.
• Denture Repair: Addressing denture damage promptly with repairs helps prevent food trapping, plaque buildup, and potential infections.
• Root Planing: Root planing is a deep cleaning procedure that helps remove harmful bacteria and plaque buildup beneath the gum line, preventing gum disease and improving your overall oral health.
• Dental Inlays: For lasting protection against cavities and future dental complications, dental inlays provide a strong, custom-fitted restoration to compromised teeth.
• Dental Bridge: Replacing missing teeth with a dental bridge helps improve chewing function and prevents the remaining teeth from drifting out of alignment.

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. Thomas 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 establishing a proactive oral hygiene routine, guided by a preventive dentistry plan, a family significantly reduced their risk of tooth decay, ensuring a healthy and confident smile for years to come.
• By addressing a small chipped tooth early, a patient avoided a more extensive and costly dental procedure, maintaining a healthy and confident smile.
• By attending regular checkups and following a proactive oral hygiene plan, a family significantly reduced their risk of developing costly dental problems, ensuring a healthy and confident 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. Thomas DDS:

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

At Dr. Thomas DDS, we recommend visiting every six months for a check-up and cleaning. This allows our dental hygienists to remove tartar buildup that brushing can't, helping to prevent cavities and gum disease. Early detection of oral cancer is also a critical benefit of regular visits.

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 crucial step prevents cavities and, more importantly, gum disease, which has been linked to other health problems such as heart disease.

How is oral health connected to my overall health?

Your oral health is significantly connected to your overall well-being. Chronic gum inflammation (periodontitis) has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and poorly controlled diabetes. Preventive dental care is essential for maintaining optimal oral and 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. Thomas DDS 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 your back teeth. They're a powerful preventive tool, especially for children and teenagers, that help seal out food and plaque to prevent cavities from forming in the deep grooves of the teeth.

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

Do you perform oral cancer screenings?

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

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 your teeth is damaged, potentially leading to tooth loss.

800 W Morse Blvd Ste 3A
Winter Park FL 32789
Phone: (407) 647-6633

Dr. Thomas Hand Jr, 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): 1770618001

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. Thomas 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.