We provide care that will set the stage for your childs dental care well into adulthood. Most people who have a fear of the dentist had bad experiences in their childhood. Our main goal is to make sure your child only has great experiences at Cumberland Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, everytime. As both Pediatric and Orthodontic specialists, we know that we need to bring together technologies that protect your childs health, comforts that help them receive anxiety-free dental care, and amenities that make trips to the dentist fun!

Dr. Rucker graduated from the University of Tennessee Knoxville with a Bachelors Degree in Psychology. She went on to Meharry School of Dentistry followed by a General Practice Residency at Bronx Lebanon Hospital in New York. After practicing General Dentistry for several years, Dr. Rucker returned to New York to complete her Pediatric Dental Residency at Harlem Hospital Center in association with Columbia University.

Dr. Rucker is a member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, American Dental Association, and the American Association of Women Dentists and is a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentists.

Dr. Luther was born and raised in western New York. She graduated magna cum laude from the University of Notre Dame with a Bachelors of Science Degree in Science Pre-Professional Studies and was named an Emil Hoffman Chemistry scholar. She went on to Columbia University College of Dental Medicine where she was an active board member on the national level for the American Student Dental Association. Following graduation, Dr. Luther completed her pediatric Dental Residency at the University of Buffalo, where she was highly involved in many of their unique outreach programs such as Clean Sweep Buffalo and Smile Education Day.

In her spare time she loves to read, be active, and spend time with her family and friends. She loves to play with her two pets, a dog name Kingsley and a cat named Minnerva, and even brushes their teeth to ensure the whole family has good oral hygiene!

Dr. Pete received a Doctor of Dental Medicine degree in 2001 from the University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine. He went on to complete a three-year orthodontic residency at Vanderbilt University Medical Center where he received extensive training in orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics. Dr. Pete practiced as an associate orthodontist with a large group practice until 2011 when he and his partners founded Cumberland Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics. Dr. Pete is an active member of the American Association of Orthodontics, Southern Association of Orthodontists, American Dental Association, and the Tennessee Dental Association.

Dr. Mike was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, where he started his undergrad at Washington University. After his first year, he transferred to Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN and graduated with a B.A. in Neuroscience. Shortly after, he went to University of Louisville School of Dentistry and graduated in May 2017 with magna cum laude honors. Then, Dr. Mike received a Certificate in Orthodontics and Masters of Oral Sciences at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry, where he was also awarded theDr. Jerome and Mrs. Joy Fein Endowed Scholarshipin recognition of excellence in the Orthodontics Residency Program.

Community involvement is also important to Dr. Mike, who has participated in mission trips with the Christian Dental Society and has worked in a mobile dental unit with St. Matthews Baptist Church. He is a member of the American Association of Orthodontists and the American Dental Association.

Dr. Mike is excited to be back in Middle Tennessee to continue his love for dentistry and helping people every day. He is in search of the best wings in the area! Dr. Mike likes to spend his free time outdoors, golfing, barbecuing, hiking, and fishing, and watching professional and college sports. He is a die-hard Blues and Cardinals fan.

Dr. Jennell Galloway, one of our beloved pediatric dentists in our Murfreesboro clinic, is being deployed at the end of April 2022, and shes planning to be back home at the end of fall this year. To support her and wish her well and the rest of our troops we are having a celebration week!

Wear your favorite superhero gear! Whether it be a Tshirt, socks, or the whole costume we want to see your superhero shine! Dr. Galloways favorite superhero is Wonder Woman so you will see lots of her around the office!

If you take any photos in our clinic during this week, show it off on Instagram with #cumberlandsmiles we will be randomly selecting patients to win a fun prize! You can either add the hashtag, or tag our main Instagram account @cumberlandsmiles, to enter to win!

White spot lesions (WSL) are areas that appear lighter than the surrounding tooth enamel. These white spots appear because bacteria or food acids have been in contact with the tooth too long and started to dissolve the tooth surface. When bacteria sits on your teeth, it produces acids that can wear away the enamel. The enamel then becomes discolored and chalky.

WSLs are a common issue for people who have braces. Braces can be challenging to clean around and trap food and bacteria around the teeth. Whether you have braces or not, the good news is that WSLs can be prevented.

To prevent white spots, brush your teeth at least twice a day for 2 minutes, especially before bedtime. Focus on the areas at the gum line or between the orthodontic brackets and gums where WSLs are most common. Make sure to floss at least once a day to remove plaque and debris from between your teeth.

A healthy diet is also important in preventing white spots. Reduce the intake of acidic sugary food, drinks, and carbohydrates, which basically break down into sugar. If you can, brush after every meal or least rinse with water. In fact, when it is time to reach for a drink, make an effort to go for the water more often! Many other drinks contain sugar or acids which will definitely contribute to white spot lesions. And lastly, dont forget to visit the dentist twice a year for a professional cleaning and check-up.

There are things you can do on your own or with your oral health care provider to take care of these spots. You can help repair the enamel with regular brushing and flossing and using toothpaste with fluoride.

Your dentist can use a remineralizing agent or microabrasion to improve appearance and protect against decay. Your dentist may also recommend a prescription fluoride toothpaste to help strengthen the enamel in the area of the WSLs.

Dr. Melvin attended the University of Georgia where she earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology and Psychology and graduated Magna Cum Laude. She then attended the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Dentistry where she received her Doctor of Dental Medicine degree.