Dr. Alina De La Torre, DMD

Dr. Alina De La Torre, DMD is a Preventive Dentistry practitioner dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive Preventive Dental care. She practices at her clinic in Tampa, FL, and is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine, practicing under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). 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. She is committed to collaborating with patients of all ages, providing a supportive environment where they feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health.

Dr. Alina DMD is a dentistry practitioner in Tampa, FL, currently welcoming new patients to begin their proactive health journey. She completed rigorous medical training from recognized institutions, culminating in residency training in Preventive Dentistry Services at the University of Florida, College of Dentistry, specializing in the comprehensive medical care of all ages. Her approach to care is collaborative and evidence-based, utilizing the latest advancements in dentistry. Dr. Alina DMD offers consultations in Spanish. Call (813) 792-9400 to schedule your appointment.

A key part of the WePrevent mission is building your personalized prevention roadmap. Dr. Alina DMD 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. Alina DMD 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. Alina DMD 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 Loss: Protecting your teeth from loss involves diligent brushing, flossing, and regular professional cleanings to reduce your risk of cavities and gum disease.
• Dental Disorders: Regular dental checkups are crucial for early detection and management of dental disorders, allowing for timely intervention to prevent further damage and improve long-term oral health.
• Tooth Decay: Regular dental visits for cleaning and fluoride treatments help prevent tooth decay and strengthen your teeth, shielding them from harmful bacteria.
• Chipped Tooth: A chipped tooth can lead to increased sensitivity and pain if left untreated; regular dental checkups are crucial for early detection and management.
• Grinding of Teeth: Grinding your teeth, or bruxism, can wear down enamel, leading to cavities and sensitivity—catching it early with a dental check-up prevents major problems.
• Cavity: Catching cavities early through regular checkups and cleanings helps prevent larger, more painful problems down the line and keeps your teeth healthy longer.
• Tooth Attrition: Managing tooth attrition involves proactive measures like adjusting your brushing technique and using fluoride toothpaste to minimize further enamel loss and protect against sensitivity.
• Gum Disease: Don't let gum disease put your overall health at risk; proactive steps such as brushing, flossing, and regular dental checkups can significantly minimize your chances of developing this preventable condition.
• 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.
• Toothache: Toothaches often signal underlying dental problems; addressing them early helps prevent complications and preserves your oral health, impacting overall well-being.
• Tooth Abrasion: By understanding the risk factors for tooth abrasion, like aggressive brushing or teeth grinding, you can take proactive steps to protect your enamel, reducing the chances of needing restorative treatments later on.
• Gingivitis: Gingivitis, characterized by red, swollen gums, is a preventable condition; addressing it promptly safeguards your gums and supports overall well-being.

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

• Teeth Whitening: Professional teeth whitening is more than just aesthetics; it encourages regular dental checkups, supporting the early detection of oral health concerns.
• 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.
• Teeth Scaling: Teeth scaling is a professional cleaning that removes plaque and tartar buildup, helping prevent cavities and gum disease before they start.
• Composite Fillings: Protect your teeth from the further spread of decay by proactively addressing cavities with composite fillings – a safe and effective restorative option.
• Non-Surgical Gum Treatment: Take proactive steps towards preventing gum disease with a non-surgical gum treatment, helping catch and address issues early before they worsen.
• Dental Inlays: Take charge of your oral health with dental inlays; they're a conservative approach to repairing teeth and avoiding more invasive treatments like crowns.
• 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.
• Porcelain Veneers: Porcelain veneers are thin shells that cover the front surface of your teeth, improving their appearance and protecting them from further damage, thus proactively enhancing your smile and oral health.
• Denture Repair: Maintaining your dentures through repair helps prevent the discomfort and potential infections caused by ill-fitting dentures.
• Restoration of Dental Implants: Restoring your dental implants ensures their long-term health and prevents future complications, safeguarding your smile and overall well-being.
• Dental Bridge: Replacing missing teeth with a dental bridge helps improve chewing function and prevents the remaining teeth from drifting out of alignment.
• Ultrasonic Dental Cleaning: Protect your smile and overall health with an ultrasonic dental cleaning, a key procedure for preventing serious dental problems and maintaining healthy gums.

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. Alina DMD 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 diligently following a preventive dentistry plan, including regular cleanings and at-home care, a patient significantly reduced their risk of tooth loss, ensuring a healthy and confident smile for years to come.
• By attending regular dental checkups, a family proactively managed potential dental issues, significantly reducing the risk of future complications and enjoying a healthier, more confident smile.
• By attending regular dental checkups and cleanings, a family proactively reduced their risk of tooth decay, ensuring a healthy, confident smile for years to come. Their proactive approach meant fewer potential problems and more peace of mind.

These scenarios are illustrative examples of positive health outcomes. Individual results may vary and depend on many factors specific to each patient. She 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. Alina DMD:

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

At Dr. Alina DMD, we recommend seeing a dentist and dental hygienist every six months. This crucial preventive care helps remove tartar buildup, which brushing can't, catch cavities early, and screen for gum disease and oral cancer.

Why are routine dental cleanings so important for prevention?

Even with excellent home care, plaque hardens into tartar that only a professional cleaning can remove. This is crucial for preventing cavities and, importantly, gum disease, which is linked to other health problems like heart disease.

How is oral health connected to my overall health?

Your oral health is intrinsically linked to your overall well-being. Chronic gum inflammation, or periodontitis, is associated with an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and poorly controlled diabetes. Preventive dental care is essential for maintaining optimal body health.

Do you perform oral cancer screenings?

Yes, an oral cancer screening is a routine and important part of every dental check-up. Dr. Alina DMD will visually inspect the lips, tongue, gums, and entire mouth for any abnormalities, as early detection is key to successful treatment.

What are veneers and how are they different from crowns?

Veneers are thin porcelain shells bonded to the front of teeth to improve their appearance. Crowns, on the other hand, are caps that cover the entire tooth to restore its shape, size, and strength after significant damage or decay.

What are dental sealants, and who should get them?

Dental sealants are a thin, protective plastic coating applied to the chewing surfaces of back teeth. They are a powerful preventive tool, primarily for children and teenagers, that seal out food and plaque to help prevent cavities from forming in the deep grooves of the teeth.

Can you help with snoring or sleep apnea?

Dr. Alina DMD can help with snoring and sleep apnea. For some patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea, she can create a custom-fitted oral appliance to keep the airway open while you sleep. This is a comfortable and effective alternative to CPAP for eligible patients.

What is TMJ disorder?

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

10830 Sheldon Rd
Tampa FL 33626
Phone: (813) 792-9400

Dr. Alina De La Torre, DMD 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): 1801013024

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. Alina DMD 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.