Dr. Clark Brown, DDS is a General Dentist dedicated to providing compassionate, comprehensive dental care for older adults, 65 years and older, at his clinic in Melbourne, FL. He is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practices under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). General dentists play a vital role in the overall health of older adults, providing comprehensive oral care, managing age-related dental issues like dry mouth and gum disease, and collaborating with other healthcare providers to ensure optimal oral and overall well-being. Dr. Brown understands the unique needs of this population and is committed to creating a supportive and comfortable environment for his patients.
Dr. Clark Brown, DDS is a dentistry practitioner in Melbourne, FL, with over 45 years of experience in the medical field. He earned his medical degree from Georgetown University School Of Dentistry in 1978. To further specialize, he pursued fellowship training in the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, deepening his expertise in a specific area of patient health. With this extensive experience, he brings a wealth of clinical knowledge and compassionate care to his patients and their families. He is accepting new patients and can be reached at (321) 372-7700 to schedule an appointment. Quality and expert patient care in a friendly environment is our goal. Dr. Clark Brown provides consultations primarily in English.
A cornerstone of effective senior care is a strong patient-provider partnership. Dr. Clark Brown is a vital partner in this journey, focusing on holistic strategies to protect health and enhance quality of life.
Dr. Clark Brown is a dedicated partner in your senior's health journey, providing compassionate and comprehensive dental care tailored to the unique needs of older adults. He prioritizes managing age-related oral health issues like dry mouth and gum disease, while collaborating with other healthcare providers to ensure optimal overall well-being. His approach emphasizes a holistic understanding of each senior's needs and goals, creating a supportive and reassuring experience for both the patient and their family.
By working together, you, your family, and Dr. Clark Brown can create a clear, actionable plan that respects your individual needs and healthcare goals.
Specific Plans Accepted
Sun Life Financial
Also Accepts These Carriers
- Ameritas
- Ameritas PPO
- Anthem
- BlueDental Choice & Choice Plus DPPO
- Cigna
- Connection Dental
- Connection Dental PPO
- Dental
- Dental Choice DPPO
- Dental Complete DPPO
- Dental PPO
- DentalConnect PPO
- DentalGuard Preferred
- Dominion National
- Elite Plus DPPO
- Florida Blue
- Guardian
- Humana
- Humana PPO
- Lincoln Financial Group
- MetLife
- PDP Plus (Preferred Dentist Program) DPPO
- Principal Financial Group
- SimplyBlue
- Total Dental DPPO
- United Concordia Dental
- UnitedHealthCare
Effective management of health is key to well-being in later life. Dr. Clark Brown provides expert, compassionate care for a range of conditions common in older adults, with a focus on managing symptoms and maintaining function. Common areas of focus include:
- Tooth Damage: Tooth damage, such as chips, cracks, or cavities, can be repaired by your dentist to prevent further problems and help you eat comfortably.
- Cavity: A cavity, or dental caries, is a hole in your tooth caused by tooth decay that can be repaired with a filling to prevent further damage and discomfort.
- Dental Disorders: Dental disorders can sometimes cause pain or discomfort, making it challenging to eat properly and affecting your nutrition; proactive dental care can alleviate these issues.
- Broken Tooth: A broken tooth, unfortunately common as we age, can be repaired by your dentist to restore chewing function and prevent further damage, improving your ability to enjoy your favorite foods.
- Gingivitis: Gingivitis, a common gum problem, causes redness, swelling, and sometimes bleeding in your gums; regular dental checkups and good oral hygiene can prevent it from worsening.
- Toothache: If you're dealing with a toothache, it's important to seek dental care right away. Your dentist can assess the pain, determine the source (like a cavity or impacted wisdom tooth), and create a personalized treatment plan for lasting relief.
- Chipped Tooth: Don't let a chipped tooth cause you pain or affect your ability to eat; a simple dental visit can often fix it with a filling, veneer, or crown, improving your quality of life.
- Tooth Loss: If you've lost teeth, don't worry your dentist can help you explore different replacement options like dentures or implants, helping to restore your ability to eat, speak, and smile comfortably.
- Tooth Abscess: Experiencing intense pain, swelling, and sensitivity in your tooth? It may be an abscess. Your dentist can provide effective treatment to alleviate your discomfort and prevent complications.
- Tooth Discoloration: As we age, teeth can naturally darken; however, discoloration can also be a sign of other issues. Your dentist can help determine the cause and recommend the best treatment option for a healthier, more aesthetically pleasing smile.
- Gum Disease: Maintaining healthy gums is crucial for overall well-being, and while gum disease can be a concern for seniors, diligent brushing, flossing, and regular dental visits can significantly reduce your risk and improve your quality of life.
- Tooth Demineralization: Weakening of tooth enamel due to mineral loss is called demineralization, which can lead to cavities and discomfort; thankfully, your dentist can detect and address it, helping you preserve your natural teeth and smile.
This list highlights some common health concerns and is for informational purposes. An accurate diagnosis and a personalized care plan can only be developed through a direct consultation with a qualified medical professional based on your specific health history.
To provide comprehensive and person-centered care, Dr. Clark Brown offers a range of services designed to diagnose, manage, and support the health of older adults:
- Upper Dentures: For seniors with missing upper teeth, dentures help maintain facial structure and improve self-esteem, playing an essential role in their overall health journey.
- Ultrasonic Dental Cleaning: By removing plaque and bacteria with ultrasonic technology, this cleaning helps reduce inflammation and improve gum health, a vital aspect of your overall health journey.
- Non-Surgical Gum Treatment: Non-surgical gum treatment helps identify and manage gum disease, a common problem for seniors that can impact overall health.
- Simple Tooth Extractions: Simple tooth extractions help remove problematic teeth that may be causing pain, infection, or impacting the health of surrounding teeth, thus improving overall oral health.
- Lower Dentures: Lower dentures are a practical solution to replace missing teeth and help maintain a confident smile and improved self-esteem in later life.
- Teeth Extraction: Tooth extraction is the removal of a severely damaged or infected tooth, helping to prevent further oral health problems and improve overall comfort.
- Dental Implant: If you're dealing with missing teeth, dental implants can be incorporated into your comprehensive dental care plan to restore your smile, improve your bite, and prevent further oral health problems.
- Composite Fillings: Composite fillings offer a durable and aesthetically pleasing solution for repairing decayed or damaged teeth, enhancing your smile and confidence.
- Denture Repair: As part of your comprehensive dental care, denture repair ensures your dentures remain effective for eating and speaking.
- Dental Crown: A dental crown is a cap placed over a damaged tooth to restore its shape, strength, and appearance, helping maintain your smile and ability to eat comfortably.
- Dental Inlays: As part of your regular dental care, inlays offer a durable solution to moderate tooth decay, preventing further damage and discomfort.
- Root Canal: Root canal treatment is a vital part of preserving your natural teeth, preventing the need for more extensive procedures like extractions.
Service availability can change. To understand which services are appropriate for your specific health needs, please schedule a consultation to develop a personalized care plan.
All medical services are provided in accordance with the standard scope of practice for General Dentists in Florida.
Dr. Clark Brown is dedicated to partnering with older adults and their families to achieve their unique health objectives. The following examples illustrate how compassionate care can make a tangible difference in a patient's life:
- With repaired tooth damage, a senior woman regained the confidence to enjoy her favorite meals with family, smiling brightly once more.
- A senior enjoyed a delicious meal without the persistent toothache, a problem that had been plaguing them for months. The cavity was treated, and their smile was restored, allowing them to fully enjoy their favorite foods again.
- With improved dental health, a senior couple regained the joy of sharing meals with their family, a cherished tradition they had been hesitant to continue due to discomfort. Their ability to enjoy meals with their loved ones, a previously difficult task, brought immense satisfaction and strengthened their family bonds.
These scenarios are illustrative examples of positive health outcomes. Individual results vary and depend on many factors specific to each person. He will work with you to define and achieve your personal health goals.
- Primary Location:
Practice
3801 E Highway 98 Ste 100100, Port St. Joe, FL, 32456
Phone: (850) 229-5752
View on Map
- HCA Florida St. Lucie Hospital Port St. Lucie (Residency Hospital)
Here are answers to some common questions about Dental care with Dr. Clark Brown:
- How is dental health connected to my overall health, like my heart?
- Maintaining healthy teeth and gums is crucial for overall health. Bacteria from chronic gum disease can enter the bloodstream, potentially increasing the risk of heart disease, stroke, and poorly controlled diabetes. Regular dental care is essential for maintaining not only healthy teeth but also overall well-being.
- My medications make my mouth constantly dry. Is this a dental problem?
- Yes, dry mouth (xerostomia) is a very common side effect of many medications, and it is a dental problem. Saliva is your body's natural defense against cavities, so dry mouth significantly increases the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Dr. Clark Brown can recommend special rinses, gels, and other strategies to manage dry mouth and protect your teeth.
- Is it normal for my gums to bleed when I brush or floss?
- Healthy gums do not bleed. Bleeding gums are usually the first sign of gum inflammation, which can progress to more serious gum disease. This is often reversible with professional cleaning and improved daily oral hygiene, and Dr. Clark Brown can help create a gentle and effective home care routine.
- How should I be cleaning my dentures properly?
- To clean your dentures properly, remove and rinse them after eating. Use a soft denture brush and a non-abrasive denture cleaner to clean all surfaces daily. Gently brush your gums, tongue, and roof of your mouth, and soak your dentures overnight in a denture solution or water.
- What is the difference between a crown and a filling?
- A filling is like a patch to repair a small area of damage, while a crown is a cap or helmet that covers the entire tooth, providing strength and protection when a tooth is significantly damaged, cracked, or has had a root canal.
- Why are my teeth becoming more sensitive as I get older?
- Tooth sensitivity in older adults is often due to receding gums, exposing the tooth root. Years of brushing can also wear down enamel, making teeth more sensitive. Dr. Clark Brown can recommend desensitizing toothpastes, fluoride treatments, or check for other issues that could be causing the problem.
- Are dental implants a safe and good option for older adults?
- Dental implants are often an excellent solution for seniors with sufficient jawbone health. They provide a secure, long-term way to replace missing teeth, anchoring crowns, bridges, or even full dentures and preventing slippage. This is a great investment in restoring chewing ability and confidence.
- My dentures don't fit as well as they used to. What can be done?
- Changes in your jawbone and gums over time can sometimes cause dentures to loosen. We can often reline your existing dentures to create a better fit, or make a new set if needed. A proper fit is important for comfortable eating and speaking.
1801 W Hibiscus Blvd
Melbourne FL 32901
Phone: (321) 372-7700
Dr. Clark Brown, 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): 1649449968
Registration can typically be verified through The Florida Board of Medicine website or by direct inquiry.
The information on this profile, provided by infoaging.org, is for general informational purposes and to help you connect with healthcare partners for yourself or a loved one. It does not constitute direct medical advice from the provider named. General Dentists like Dr. Clark Brown are skilled in helping seniors and their families navigate their health journey. For urgent or life-threatening emergencies, please call 911 or visit the nearest emergency department. Always consult with a qualified medical professional for any health concerns or before making any decisions related to your care plan.