Gabriela Larrea

Gabriela Larrea is a Preventive Dentistry specialist dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive dental care. As a partner in preventive health featured on weprevent.org, she practices at her clinic in Lakeland, FL, and is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine, practicing under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). Her focus on prevention is central to her approach, as 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, fostering a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. Dr. Larrea serves all ages and patients should call (863) 648-1030 to confirm if she is currently accepting new patients. As a dentistry practitioner in Lakeland, FL, Dr. Larrea's commitment is to providing the highest quality care in the field of Preventive Dentistry. Dr. Gabriela Larrea provides consultations primarily in English.

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

• Craniosynostosis - Arthrogryposis - Cleft Palate: Addressing craniosynostosis, arthrogryposis, and cleft palate through specialized care can help prevent secondary oral health issues, such as difficulties with chewing, swallowing, and maintaining good oral hygiene.
• Dentin Dysplasia - Sclerotic Bones: Dentin dysplasia affects tooth structure, making preventive dental care, including regular check-ups and appropriate cleaning techniques, crucial to avoid secondary issues such as infections or tooth loss.
• Tooth Avulsion: Preventing tooth avulsion starts with protecting your teeth from injury through activities like wearing mouthguards during sports; early intervention is key to successful reimplantation.
• Crossbite: A crossbite can affect your bite and jaw health, leading to headaches and discomfort; addressing it proactively is a key part of maintaining your overall oral health.
• Salivary Gland Stones and Inflammation: Ignoring salivary gland issues can result in severe complications, so prompt dental care for any signs of swelling or pain is crucial for preventing long-term problems.
• Cleft Lip: While not directly preventable, early detection of cleft lip allows for prompt surgical correction, reducing the risk of feeding difficulties and speech impediments.
• Edentulism: Managing gum disease and cavities effectively is key to preventing edentulism. Early intervention through professional dental care and at-home prevention practices helps maintain your natural teeth.

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

• Non-Extraction Treatment (for Dental Crowding): Invest in your long-term oral health by choosing non-extraction treatment to address crowded teeth and avoid the need for extractions.
• 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.
• Orthodontic Treatment, Adolescent: Straightening your teeth with orthodontic treatment can improve your bite, making it easier to clean and reducing your risk of cavities and gum disease.
• Athletic Mouthguards: Protect your teeth and gums from injury during sports with a custom-fitted athletic mouthguard.
• Computer Imaging for Dental Crowns: Before placing a dental crown, computer imaging allows your dentist to visualize the exact fit and placement, ensuring a natural-looking and long-lasting restoration.
• Scaling and Root Planing: Scaling and root planing is a deep cleaning procedure that helps remove plaque and tartar buildup below the gum line, preventing gum disease and improving overall oral health.
• Denture Repair: Maintaining your dentures through repair helps prevent the discomfort and potential infections caused by ill-fitting dentures.

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. Gabriela Larrea 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:

• A family proactively addressed potential oral health challenges associated with craniosynostosis, arthrogryposis, and cleft palate, gaining peace of mind through preventative dental care and early intervention strategies. This allowed them to focus on their child's overall well-being and development.
• By adhering to a proactive dental care plan, including regular check-ups and specialized cleaning, a patient successfully avoided complications from dentin dysplasia, maintaining healthy teeth and preventing future issues.
• By proactively using mouthguards during sports, a family significantly reduced the risk of tooth avulsion, gaining peace of mind about their oral health.

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. Gabriela Larrea:

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

At Dr. Gabriela Larrea's practice, we recommend seeing your dentist and hygienist every six months for a check-up and cleaning. 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 excellent brushing and flossing, plaque hardens into tartar that only a professional cleaning can remove. This is crucial for preventing cavities and gum disease, which is linked to other health problems, including heart disease.

How is oral health connected to my overall health?

Oral health is intimately connected to overall health. Chronic gum inflammation (periodontitis) has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and poorly controlled diabetes. Preventive dental care is therefore an essential part of 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. Larrea will visually inspect the lips, tongue, gums, and entire mouth for any abnormalities, as early detection is key to successful treatment.

What are dental sealants, and who should get them?

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

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.

5406 Strickland Ave
Lakeland FL 33812
Phone: (863) 648-1030

Gabriela Larrea 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): 1033841473

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. Gabriela Larrea 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.