Dr. Lorraine Tomlinson, DDS

Dr. Lorraine Tomlinson, DDS 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 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 collaborative, evidence-based medicine and creating a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. Dr. Lorraine DDS serves all ages and patients should call (813) 766-1588 to confirm if she is currently accepting new patients.

Dr. Lorraine Tomlinson, DDS is a dentistry practitioner in Tampa, FL, focused on the vital role of prevention in maintaining optimal oral health. Her approach emphasizes personalized care plans, early detection, and proactive management to minimize the risk of dental problems. She recognizes that oral health is intrinsically linked to overall well-being, and strives to create a supportive and empowering environment for all her patients. While her practice prioritizes preventative measures, she also provides necessary treatment when needed, always emphasizing the importance of ongoing oral health maintenance. Dr. Lorraine DDS provides consultations primarily in English.

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

• Dislocated Jaw: Understanding how your daily habits and activities might impact your jaw's health can help you take preventative steps, minimizing your risk of dislocation and promoting overall oral health.
• Tender Gums: Preventing gum tenderness through proper brushing and flossing is essential for maintaining healthy gums and keeping your smile bright.
• Oral Mucous Membrane Disease: Protecting your mouth's delicate lining is crucial for preventing discomfort and potential infections; regular dental visits help identify and manage oral mucous membrane diseases early.
• Cherubism: Preventive dental checkups are crucial for early detection of cherubism, allowing for timely intervention and minimizing long-term jawbone deformities.
• Dentin Dysplasia, Coronal: Regular dental visits are crucial for detecting coronal dentin dysplasia early, enabling preventative measures to minimize its impact on your teeth and overall oral health.
• Gingival Fibromatosis - Unusual Facies - Cafe-Au-Lait Pigmentation - Congenital Skin Telangiectases: Gingival fibromatosis, unusual facial features, café-au-lait spots, and skin telangiectases can sometimes indicate a genetic condition requiring early dental and medical intervention to prevent complications.
• Mouth Conditions: Addressing mouth conditions promptly can stop minor issues from escalating into major problems, saving you time, money, and discomfort.

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

• Laser Hardening of Amalgam: Protecting your existing fillings with laser hardening helps maintain the integrity of your teeth, preventing further damage and the discomfort of extensive restorative procedures.
• Panorex FMX: Invest in your oral health with a Panorex FMX; these detailed X-rays help your dentist create a personalized prevention plan to protect your teeth and gums from disease.
• Permanent Retainer: To maintain the results of your braces or aligners, a permanent retainer secures your teeth in their ideal positions, preventing future misalignment and potential gum or jaw problems.
• Broken Dental Appliance: A broken dental appliance, like a crown or denture, can harbor bacteria and lead to infections, highlighting the importance of regular check-ups to prevent complications.
• Fluoride Varnish: Take a proactive step towards better oral health with fluoride varnish—a simple treatment that significantly reduces your risk of developing cavities.
• Jaw Tracking: By monitoring your jaw's movement, jaw tracking assists in identifying issues that could lead to jaw pain, clicking, or limited opening, allowing for timely intervention.
• Nitrous Oxide Sedation: To ensure a relaxing and stress-free experience, nitrous oxide sedation can help manage anxiety during dental procedures, so you can get the preventive care you need.

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. Lorraine 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 understanding how their chewing habits could contribute to jaw issues, a family proactively addressed potential risks, ensuring a healthy and pain-free future for their family.
• Following a proactive preventive dentistry plan, a patient experienced significantly reduced gum tenderness, enjoying a brighter smile and increased confidence in their oral health.
• By attending regular checkups and following recommended oral hygiene practices, a family proactively reduced the risk of oral mucous membrane diseases, ensuring a healthy and comfortable mouth for years to come.

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. Lorraine DDS:

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

Dr. Lorraine DDS recommends visiting every six months for a checkup and cleaning. This allows our dental hygienists to remove tartar buildup, which brushing can't, and catch cavities early. Regular checkups also 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 crucial step prevents 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 intricately linked to overall health. Chronic gum inflammation, or periodontitis, is associated with an increased risk of serious conditions like heart disease, stroke, and poorly controlled diabetes. Maintaining good oral hygiene through preventive dental care is essential for overall body health.

When should my child first see a dentist?

Dr. Lorraine DDS recommends a child's first dental visit within six months of their first tooth erupting, or by their first birthday. This early visit is crucial for ensuring proper tooth development and establishing a positive dental home for future care.

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're a powerful preventive tool, especially for children and teenagers, that seal out food and plaque, preventing cavities from forming in the deep grooves of the teeth.

What is the difference between gingivitis and periodontitis?

Gingivitis is an early, reversible stage of gum disease, characterized by red, swollen gums that may bleed easily. If left untreated, gingivitis can progress to periodontitis, a more serious stage where the bone supporting your teeth is damaged, potentially leading to tooth loss.

What causes tooth sensitivity?

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

How can I whiten my teeth safely?

The safest and most effective way to whiten your teeth is under professional supervision. Dr. Lorraine DDS can assess your oral health to ensure you are 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.

3911 N Boulevard
Tampa FL 33603
Phone: (813) 766-1588

Dr. Lorraine Tomlinson, 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): 1134549249

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. Lorraine 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.