Dr. Jelena Vathielil, DDS is a General Dentist practicing at her clinic in Jacksonville, FL, dedicated to providing compassionate, comprehensive dental care for older adults. She is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practices under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). Dr. Vathielil understands the unique dental needs of individuals 65 years and older, recognizing that general dentists play a vital role in the overall health of this population. This includes 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. She is committed to a patient-centered approach, fostering a supportive environment where patients and their families feel heard and empowered in their healthcare decisions, using evidence-based medicine.
Dr. Vathielil's practice emphasizes preventive care and educating her patients, reflecting her passion for pediatric dentistry and her commitment to establishing a healthy relationship of mutual respect and trust with each individual. She strives to provide the best possible dental care while ensuring patient comfort. Dr. Vathielil, who was born and raised in South Florida, earned her Bachelor's degree from the University of Miami and her Dental Medicine degree from Nova Southeastern University. She is a member of the American Dental Association and the Florida Dental Association, and believes in the importance of ongoing learning and professional development. Dr. Vathielil is currently welcoming new patients. Please call (904) 777-1477 to schedule an appointment. While Dr. Vathielil is committed to providing high-quality care, she primarily provides consultations in English.
A cornerstone of effective senior care is a strong patient-provider partnership. Dr. Jelena Vathielil is a vital partner in this journey, focusing on holistic strategies to protect health and enhance quality of life.
Dr. Vathielil is a compassionate and dedicated partner in your senior's health journey, providing comprehensive dental care tailored to the unique needs of older adults. She meticulously manages age-related dental concerns, including dry mouth and gum disease, and collaborates closely with other healthcare providers to ensure the optimal oral and overall well-being of her patients. Her approach prioritizes a holistic understanding of each senior's individual needs and goals, fostering a supportive and reassuring environment for both patient and family.
By working together, you, your family, and Dr. Jelena Vathielil can create a clear, actionable plan that respects your individual needs and healthcare goals.
Specific Plans Accepted
Dental
DenteMax
Sun Life Financial
Also Accepts These Carriers
- Advantage Plus 20 DHMO
- Advantage Plus PPO
- Aetna
- Alliance EPO
- Ameritas
- Ameritas PPO
- Anthem
- BlueDental Choice & Choice Plus DPPO
- Cigna
- Connection Dental
- Connection Dental PPO
- Coventry Health Care
- Delta Dental
- Delta Dental PPO
- Delta Dental Premier
- Dental Advantage DPPO
- Dental Choice DPPO
- Dental Complete DPPO
- Dental DPPO
- Dental Maintenance Organization DMO
- Dental PPO
- Dental Prime DPPO
- DentalConnect PPO
- DentalGuard Preferred
- Dominion National
- Elite Plus DPPO
- Florida Blue
- Guardian
- Humana
- Humana PPO
- Lincoln Financial Group
- Managed DentaGuard
- MetLife
- MetLife PDP
- PDP Plus (Preferred Dentist Program) DPPO
- Principal Financial Group
- SimplyBlue
- Total Dental Administrators PPO
- Total Dental Administrators PPO PPO
- Total Dental DPPO
- United Concordia
- United Concordia Dental
- UnitedHealthCare
- Wellpath Preferred PPO
Effective management of health is key to well-being in later life. Dr. Jelena Vathielil 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:
- Swollen Gums: Swollen gums, a common issue as we age, can often be managed with improved oral hygiene and regular dental checkups, helping you keep your smile healthy and comfortable.
- Plaque: Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that builds up on your teeth, and regular brushing and flossing help remove it to prevent cavities and gum disease.
- Gingivitis: Inflamed and irritated gums, known as gingivitis, can be addressed through better oral care habits and professional cleaning by your dentist to keep your mouth healthy and comfortable.
- Loose Teeth: Loose teeth can make eating and speaking difficult, but your dentist can help stabilize them or replace them with comfortable, secure options to maintain your independence.
- Toothache: Experiencing a toothache? Don't suffer in silence; a prompt visit to your dentist can identify the cause whether it's a cavity, gum disease, or something else and provide effective pain relief and treatment.
- Sensitive Teeth: Experiencing discomfort or pain in your teeth when exposed to temperature changes or certain foods is a sign of sensitive teeth, a condition easily addressed by your dentist through various treatments that can restore comfort to your daily meals.
- Canker Sore: If you're experiencing recurring or unusually large canker sores, it's important to consult your dentist, as they might indicate an underlying medical condition that needs attention, and your dentist can help identify the cause and provide effective treatment.
- Dental Injury: Even minor dental injuries, like a knocked-out filling, need attention to prevent further damage and potential infection; your dentist can quickly and effectively address the issue, ensuring your comfort and oral health.
- 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.
- 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.
- Bad Taste in Mouth: A bad taste in the mouth can be more than just annoying; it can sometimes signal a health concern. Your dentist can perform a thorough examination and help resolve the issue, improving your quality of life.
- Tender Gums: Sore gums can make chewing and speaking uncomfortable. Your dentist can diagnose the cause of your gum tenderness and provide relief, helping you maintain your independence and enjoy meals.
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. Jelena Vathielil offers a range of services designed to diagnose, manage, and support the health of older adults:
- Abscess Incision and Drainage: As part of a comprehensive care plan for seniors, abscess incision and drainage helps address serious dental infections that could impact overall wellness.
- Amalgam Dental Fillings: As part of your comprehensive dental care, amalgam fillings can help manage tooth decay and prevent further damage, contributing to a healthier smile.
- Dental Cleaning: Dental cleanings help remove plaque and tartar buildup, preventing gum disease and cavities, a crucial step in maintaining your oral health as you age.
- Dental Crown: To protect a weakened tooth from further damage and prevent future dental problems, your dentist might recommend a dental crown as part of your comprehensive care plan.
- Dental Hygiene Services: Through cleanings and check-ups, dental hygiene services play a crucial role in managing oral health issues like dry mouth, protecting seniors from more serious conditions.
- Dental Implant: Dental implants are a permanent solution for missing teeth, acting as a strong foundation for crowns or dentures, and improving your overall oral health and function in the long term.
- Root Canal: If you have a tooth with significant decay or injury, a root canal can be a key component of your comprehensive dental care plan to address pain and maintain oral health.
- Teeth Extraction: Extraction may be necessary to manage severe gum disease or a tooth that's causing chronic pain or discomfort, improving a senior's quality of life.
- Teeth Whitening: Teeth whitening can brighten your smile and boost your confidence, enhancing your overall well-being as part of a comprehensive dental care plan.
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. Jelena Vathielil 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:
- Mrs. Hernandez's swollen gums were causing discomfort and embarrassment, but regular dental checkups and improved oral hygiene, guided by the dentist, significantly reduced the swelling and pain, allowing her to smile confidently again and enjoy her favorite pastime of reading with her grandchildren.
- With improved oral hygiene, a senior couple rediscovered the joy of sharing meals together, confident that their smiles would last a lifetime.
- Mrs. Hernandez's painful gums and discomfort were significantly reduced with improved oral hygiene habits and professional cleanings. She could finally enjoy eating her favorite fruits and vegetables again without the previous sensitivity.
These scenarios are illustrative examples of positive health outcomes. Individual results vary and depend on many factors specific to each person. She 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. Jelena Vathielil:
- How is dental health connected to my overall health, like my heart?
- Your oral health is critically linked to your overall health, including your heart. Bacteria from chronic gum disease can enter the bloodstream, potentially increasing your risk of heart disease, stroke, and poorly controlled diabetes. Regular dental care is essential for maintaining not only healthy teeth and gums, but also your overall health and 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 the body's natural defense against cavities, so dry mouth significantly increases the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Dr. Vathielil can recommend special rinses, gels, and other strategies to manage dry mouth and protect your teeth.
- 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 like a cap or helmet that covers the entire tooth to protect and strengthen it when the tooth is significantly damaged, cracked, or has had a root canal.
- How should I be cleaning my dentures properly?
- To keep your dentures clean, remove and rinse them after eating. Use a soft denture brush and a non-abrasive 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 bridge and a partial denture?
- A dental bridge is a fixed, permanent replacement for missing teeth, while a partial denture is a removable appliance that clips onto existing teeth.
- My dentures don't fit as well as they used to. What can be done?
- Over time, the jawbone and gums naturally change shape, sometimes causing dentures to loosen. We can often reline the denture to reshape the underside for a better fit, or create a new denture if the current one is significantly worn. A proper fit is important for comfortable eating and speaking.
- 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.
- 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. Dr. Vathielil can recommend desensitizing toothpastes, fluoride treatments, or check for other potential issues.
3706 Blanding Blvd
Jacksonville FL 32210
Phone: (904) 777-1477
Dr. Jelena Vathielil, 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): 1699184150
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. Jelena Vathielil 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.