Dr. Lindsay Shirley, DDS is a General Dentist dedicated to providing compassionate, comprehensive dental care for older adults at her clinic in Freeport, FL. She is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practices under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice), ensuring that her patients receive the highest quality and safest care. 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. Shirley's practice specifically focuses on serving adults 65 years and older, and she is currently welcoming new patients. Call (850) 835-4127 to schedule an appointment.
Dr. Lindsay Shirley, DDS is a dentistry practitioner in Freeport, FL with over 10 years of experience in the medical field. She earned her medical degree from Marquette University, School Of Dentistry in 2011, and subsequently completed residency training in General Dentists at Barksdale Air Force Base in 2012. With over 10 years of dedicated experience in dental care, she brings a wealth of clinical knowledge and compassionate care to her patients and their families. Dr. Shirley is committed to collaborative, evidence-based medicine, creating a supportive environment where patients and their families feel heard and empowered in their healthcare decisions. She is accepting new patients and provides consultations primarily in English.
A cornerstone of effective senior care is a strong patient-provider partnership. Dr. Lindsay Shirley is a vital partner in this journey, focusing on holistic strategies to protect health and enhance quality of life.
Dr. Shirley is a compassionate partner in your senior's health journey, offering comprehensive dental care tailored to their unique needs. She expertly addresses age-related dental concerns like dry mouth and gum disease, collaborating closely with other healthcare professionals to ensure the best possible oral and overall well-being. Her patient-centered approach prioritizes understanding each individual's goals and circumstances, creating a supportive environment for optimal comfort and independence.
By working together, you, your family, and Dr. Lindsay Shirley can create a clear, actionable plan that respects your individual needs and healthcare goals.
Specific Plans Accepted
Sun Life Financial
Also Accepts These Carriers
- Aetna
- Ameritas
- Ameritas PPO
- Anthem
- Cigna
- Connection Dental
- Connection Dental PPO
- Dental
- Dental Choice DPPO
- Dental Complete DPPO
- Dental DPPO
- Dental PPO
- DentalConnect PPO
- DentalGuard Preferred
- Dominion National
- Elite Plus DPPO
- Guardian
- Humana
- Humana PPO
- Lincoln Financial Group
- MetLife
- PDP Plus (Preferred Dentist Program) DPPO
- Principal Financial Group
- Total Dental DPPO
- United Concordia Dental
- UnitedHealthCare
Effective management of health is key to well-being in later life. Dr. Lindsay Shirley 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:
- Loose Teeth: Loose teeth can impact your confidence and ability to eat properly, but a dentist can assess the situation, explore treatment options like crowns or implants, and restore your smile and quality of life.
- 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.
- Tooth Demineralization: Tooth demineralization is the loss of minerals from tooth enamel, making teeth weaker and more prone to cavities, but with proper dental care and fluoride treatments, you can strengthen your teeth and prevent further damage.
- Gum Disease: Experiencing bleeding gums, red or swollen gums, or persistent bad breath could be signs of gum disease; seeking prompt professional care from your dentist allows for early intervention and preservation of your teeth.
- 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.
- Toothache: A toothache can significantly impact your quality of life, affecting your ability to enjoy meals and even sleep. Your dentist is the best resource for diagnosing and treating the underlying cause, helping you regain comfort and confidence.
- Tooth Decay: Untreated tooth decay can lead to serious dental problems like infections or tooth loss, negatively affecting your ability to eat and speak clearly. Regular dental care will help prevent such issues and keep you healthy and independent.
- 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 Loss: Tooth loss, a common concern as we age, can be managed effectively with various replacement options like dentures, bridges, or implants, improving chewing, speaking, and overall confidence.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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. Lindsay Shirley offers a range of services designed to diagnose, manage, and support the health of older adults:
- Denture Repair: As part of your comprehensive dental care, denture repair ensures your dentures remain effective for eating and speaking.
- Ultrasonic Dental Cleaning: Ultrasonic dental cleaning uses high-frequency vibrations to thoroughly remove plaque and tartar, helping prevent gum disease and cavities, a crucial step in maintaining your oral health as you age.
- 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.
- Porcelain Veneers: As a step in enhancing your smile and confidence, porcelain veneers can mask discoloration, chips, or gaps in your teeth, contributing to your overall well-being.
- Non-Surgical Gum Treatment: This treatment is a crucial part of your dental care plan, addressing gum inflammation and preventing further damage to teeth and gums.
- Root Planing: Root planing is an important step in creating a long-term dental care plan, addressing gum disease, a condition that can affect your overall health and well-being.
- Teeth Scaling: Scaling your teeth removes hard deposits that irritate gums, a crucial step in keeping your smile bright and healthy.
- Composite Fillings: Composite fillings offer a durable and aesthetically pleasing solution for repairing decayed or damaged teeth, enhancing your smile and confidence.
- Dental Bridge: To maintain your oral health, a dental bridge helps restore chewing ability and prevent adjacent teeth from shifting, enhancing both function and aesthetics.
- Upper Dentures: Upper dentures are removable replacements for missing upper teeth, improving chewing, speaking, and overall comfort for seniors.
- Restoration of Dental Implants: By restoring your dental implants, you're actively participating in a comprehensive oral health plan that prioritizes function, comfort, and longevity.
- 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.
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. Lindsay Shirley 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 loose teeth causing discomfort and difficulty eating, a senior felt a renewed sense of confidence and enjoyment after receiving personalized dental care and restorative treatments. The family was relieved to see their loved one regain their ability to comfortably eat their favorite foods and smile with renewed confidence.
- With repaired tooth damage, a senior woman regained the joy of biting into crunchy apples and relishing her favorite foods, enhancing her overall well-being.
- With improved oral health, a senior woman regained her confidence in eating her favorite fruits and vegetables, a joy she had lost due to tooth demineralization. The family felt a profound sense of relief knowing their loved one could once again enjoy meals without discomfort.
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. Lindsay Shirley:
- How is dental health connected to my overall health, like my heart?
- Dr. Shirley's practice understands the critical link between oral and systemic 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 and gums, but overall health and wellness.
- 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 a dry mouth significantly increases the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Dr. Shirley can recommend special rinses, gels, and other strategies to manage dry mouth and protect your teeth.
- 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 vulnerable. Dr. Shirley can recommend desensitizing toothpastes, fluoride treatments, or check for other issues like cavities or cracked teeth.
- What is the difference between a bridge and a partial denture?
- A dental bridge is a fixed, permanent appliance cemented to your teeth, while a partial denture is a removable appliance that clips onto your existing teeth.
- My dentures don't fit as well as they used to. What can be done?
- Over time, jawbone and gum tissue naturally change shape, sometimes causing dentures to loosen. Dr. Shirley can perform a relining procedure to reshape the underside of the denture for a better fit, or create a new denture if the existing one is significantly worn. A proper fit is important for comfortable eating and speaking.
- What is involved in an oral cancer screening?
- An oral cancer screening is a quick, painless, but vital part of every routine dental exam. Dr. Shirley will visually inspect your mouth and throat for any unusual sores or discolorations and gently feel your jaw and neck for lumps. Early detection is key to successful treatment.
- Are dental implants a safe and good option for older adults?
- Dental implants are often an excellent solution for older adults with sufficient jawbone health. They provide a secure, long-term way to replace missing teeth, anchoring crowns, bridges, or even full dentures, preventing slippage. This is a great investment in restoring chewing ability and confidence.
- 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 more severely damaged, cracked, or has had a root canal.
30 Blueberry Rd
Freeport FL 32439
Phone: (850) 835-4127
Dr. Lindsay Shirley, 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): 1417247529
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. Lindsay Shirley 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.