Dr. Laura Carrasco, DDS

Dr. Laura Carrasco, DDS is a Preventive Dentistry specialist practicing at Dental Care of Davenport in Davenport, FL. As a partner in preventive health featured on weprevent.org, she is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practices under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). Her dedication lies in empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive Preventive Dental care. 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 serves all ages and is currently welcoming new patients to begin their proactive health journey. Please call (321) 722-7493 to schedule. Dr. Carrasco is a member of the American Dental Association. Outside of the office, Dr. Carrasco enjoys spending time with her family, music, traveling, and cooking. She also enjoys rock climbing and relaxing at the beach. I am passionate about my profession and every aspect of ensuring my patients enjoy healthier, brighter, and more confident smiles. I strive to provide an empathetic, patient-friendly, and comfortable environment. I have committed myself to not only keeping up with the latest advancements in the field of dentistry but also learning the unique needs of each individual patient in order to provide them with the best service possible. I look forward to every opportunity to improve my patients' self-esteem and confidence while educating them on how to achieve and maintain a beautiful, healthy smile that lasts a lifetime. Dr. Laura DDS provides consultations primarily in English.

A key part of the WePrevent mission is building your personalized prevention roadmap. Dr. Laura DDS 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. Laura DDS 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. Laura DDS 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:

• Swollen Gums: Swollen gums are a warning sign that your oral health needs attention; addressing it promptly prevents long-term complications like periodontitis.
• Cavity: A cavity, or tooth decay, is a hole in your tooth caused by bacteria, and preventing them starts with good oral hygiene to avoid more serious dental problems.
• Halitosis: Managing halitosis through good oral hygiene is key to preventing the progression of gum disease and cavities, safeguarding your overall oral health.
• Bad Taste in Mouth: Don't ignore a lingering bad taste; it could be a symptom that needs attention to prevent cavities, gum disease, or other oral health issues.
• Loose Teeth: Don't ignore loose teeth – they indicate a problem that, if left untreated, can lead to infections, further tooth loss, and even impact your overall health.
• Mouth Conditions: Maintaining good oral hygiene prevents many mouth conditions, reducing your risk of cavities, gum disease, and other serious health problems.
• Grinding of Teeth: Teeth grinding puts excessive pressure on your jaw and teeth, potentially causing damage and pain; proactive management through stress reduction or mouthguards protects your oral health.
• Dental Injury: Managing dental injuries promptly through professional care can reduce the need for extensive restorative work later, protecting your smile and preventing complications.
• Tooth Loss: Preventing tooth loss starts with regular dental checkups and good oral hygiene to catch problems early and avoid major issues down the line.
• Sensitive Teeth: Sensitive teeth are a warning sign; acting promptly can reduce your risk of developing painful cavities or needing costly dental procedures.
• Tooth Abscess: Preventing tooth decay and gum disease through diligent oral hygiene is crucial, as these conditions can lead to painful and costly tooth abscesses.
• Tooth Decay: Preventing tooth decay is crucial for maintaining a healthy smile and overall well-being, as untreated decay can lead to infections and other health problems.

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

• Amalgam Dental Fillings: Amalgam fillings are a durable way to restore teeth damaged by decay, proactively preventing further infection and preserving your natural smile.
• Cosmetic Procedure: By enhancing your smile with cosmetic procedures, you indirectly promote better oral health through increased self-care and regular visits.
• Dental Cleaning: A dental cleaning helps remove plaque and tartar buildup, preventing cavities and gum disease before they start.
• Dental Crown: Investing in a dental crown can prevent the loss of a tooth and help maintain a healthy, functional bite by protecting a compromised tooth from further damage.
• Dental Hygiene Services: Ensure your teeth and gums stay healthy with regular dental hygiene appointments, allowing for early detection of oral health problems that could impact your overall health.
• Dental Implant: Securing a dental implant helps prevent jawbone deterioration and improves chewing and speaking capabilities, contributing to overall quality of life.
• Root Canal: Protecting your overall oral health, a root canal treatment addresses severe tooth decay or injury, relieving pain and preventing the need for an extraction.
• Teeth Whitening: Professional teeth whitening is more than just aesthetics; it encourages regular dental checkups, supporting the early detection of oral health concerns.
• Tooth-Conserving Dentistry: Investing in tooth-conserving dentistry means making a smart choice for your long-term oral health, helping prevent future problems and reducing the need for extensive dental work.

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. Laura DDS 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 attending regular checkups and following a personalized oral hygiene plan, a patient successfully managed swollen gums, preventing the development of more serious oral health issues. This proactive approach ensured a healthy smile and peace of mind.
• By diligently practicing good oral hygiene and attending regular checkups, a family significantly reduced their risk of cavities, ensuring a lifetime of healthy smiles.
• A patient, empowered by preventive dentistry guidance, learned simple oral hygiene techniques to effectively manage halitosis, improving their confidence and overall well-being. This proactive approach helped prevent the progression of gum disease and cavities.

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. Laura DDS:

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

For most people, a checkup and cleaning every six months is recommended. This helps remove tartar buildup that 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 meticulous brushing and flossing, plaque hardens into tartar that only a professional cleaning can remove. This is crucial for preventing cavities and, more importantly, gum disease, which has been linked to other health problems like heart disease.

How is oral health connected to my overall health?

Oral health is intrinsically linked to overall health. Chronic gum inflammation, or periodontitis, has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and poorly controlled diabetes. Preventive dental care is crucial for maintaining optimal oral health and, consequently, overall body health.

What are dental implants?

Dental implants are the modern gold standard for replacing missing teeth. They are titanium posts that act like artificial tooth roots, which are then topped with a natural-looking crown. This helps prevent bone loss and preserves the health of surrounding teeth.

Are dental X-rays safe, and why do I need them?

Yes, modern digital dental X-rays use extremely low levels of radiation and are very safe. They allow Dr. Laura DDS to see issues like cavities, bone loss, and impacted teeth that aren't visible otherwise, enabling early intervention and better oral health.

How can I whiten my teeth safely?

The safest and most effective way to whiten your teeth is under professional supervision. Dr. Laura DDS can assess your oral health to ensure you're a good candidate and offer professional-grade treatments, like custom trays or in-office procedures, for better and safer results than over-the-counter products.

What causes tooth sensitivity?

Tooth sensitivity can be caused by worn enamel, receding gums exposing the tooth root, or tiny cracks in the teeth. A proper diagnosis by Dr. Laura DDS is needed to determine the cause and recommend effective treatments, like desensitizing toothpaste or in-office procedures.

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, sealing out food and plaque to prevent cavities from forming in the deep grooves of the teeth.

Dental Care of Davenport
7551 Osceola Polk Line Rd
Davenport FL 33896
Phone: (321) 722-7493

Dr. Laura Carrasco, 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): 1053920785

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. Laura DDS 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.