Quality pediatric dentistry rooted in early, non-judgmental care in Pembroke Pines, FL
Pines Dental Associates has cultivated relationships with generations of families from Pembroke Pines, FL and the surrounding area for more than a quarter of a century. Led by Dr. Milton Ruiz, our team is privileged to play an important role in each family member’s health and well-being. Ideally, that “journey” starts at a young age, as soon as the first tooth erupts or by no later than a baby’s first birthday. However, if it has been a while since your child has seen a dentist, there is no time like the present to get on the right track. Pediatric dentistry at our office is non-judgmental, gentle, friendly, and of the highest quality. We suggest the most conservative methods to resolve problems or maintain a child’s oral health. The less invasive the techniques or treatments, the better off your child will be. These approaches are generally better tolerated by (and less traumatic to) the patient. They also preserve natural tissues, which further supports lasting health, and the most lifelike appearance and function for restorations.
Early visits matter
We abide by the American Academic of Pediatric Dentistry’s guidelines; the AAPD recommends that a child’s first dentist visit occurs by no later than his or her first birthday. While this may seem early to you, it is important to get your child off to the right start. So many things that seemingly have nothing to do with the oral cavity are affected by the health of the teeth, gums, and associated oral structures. For instance, a child’s speech, ability to pronounce words clearly and properly, and overall healthy development can be affected by the teeth. If there are problems with how teeth are erupting, caused by behaviors such as severe thumb-sucking, it can affect the child’s bite and teeth alignment. If a child suffers from early decay, it can produce pain that affects the ability to get restful, restorative sleep. Children may miss school, and academic performance can suffer due to oral pain. All of this occurs during your child’s formative years.
During early visits, we will demonstrate how to support your baby’s health. We show, not just tell, you how to clean little mouths – even before the first tooth is visible. It is also important to get both you and your baby comfortable with the idea of visiting our office regularly. Often, dental fear and anxiety is born during early childhood visits. We want to ensure you and your child have a comfortable and pleasant experience at our office, the type of experience that keeps you coming back at least every six months for the preventive care that is needed to maintain a healthy and beautiful smile.
Personalized, preventive care
As your child gets older, needs will evolve. There may come a time when we recommend dental sealants. These coverings function like “rain coats” for your child’s back teeth. They keep the “nasties,” such as decay-causing bacteria, out of the grooved surfaces on the molars. Fluoride supplementation may also be recommended to build up a tooth’s natural “armor” (enamel). If your child engages in sports or other activities that could result in trauma to the teeth or jaw, we can also discuss designing a custom mouthguard. Since these mouthguards are made to fit your child’s mouth, they are comfortable and can effectively protect delicate tissues. In addition to early interventions to alter habits (such as thumb-sucking and tongue-thrusting) and to prevent misalignment and bite problems, we also offer consultation on corrective treatments. Today’s orthodontics are discreet and hassle-free and include options like Invisalign® and Clear Correct.
We look forward to meeting you and your family! Contact us to schedule your appointment. We are conveniently located on North Palm Avenue, off 99th or 101st Avenue, and we are proudly bilingual (English and Spanish).
Dr. Milton Ruiz believes everyone should be able to attain excellent oral health, and his mission is to provide the highest quality care at the most affordable cost to all his patients. Dr. Ruiz is a general dentist with over 25 years of expertise who graduated from Tufts Dental School in Boston.
Dr. Ruiz has completed over 500 hours of continuing education in his decades of practice to keep current on new technology and improvements in dentistry. He is skilled in all aspects of dentistry, including cosmetic dentistry, root canal therapy, sleep apnea therapy, orthodontics, Invisalign certification, Oral Conscious Sedation, and restorative dentistry. You can rely on him to make your dental visit as comfortable as possible.