Our Preventive Dentistry Services
At Lakeland Family Dental, we’re not just focused on effectively treating your oral health problems – we also want to keep them from ever happening in the first place! That’s why Dr. Eric Ruiz and Dr. Samantha Ruiz are happy to offer a preventive dentistry program that helps patients ages three and up by addressing specific needs at any given time.
Regular check-ups allow us to identify potential problems as early as possible, and our swift, effective treatment will be sure to keep your smile shining bright. We look forward to welcoming you and all your loved ones to our Oconomowoc, WI office!
Routine Visits
Hands down, the best way to keep your smile healthy is to visit our office every six months for professional cleanings and comprehensive examinations.
No matter how dedicated you are to brushing and flossing at home, office visits are necessarily to remove the traces of plaque you simply can't reach with a toothbrush or dental floss. Plus, our thorough examinations will help us identify any developing problems as early as possible so they can be treated with simple, conservative, less invasive treatments.
Regular x-rays are a key factor in timely diagnosis. At Lakeland Family Dental, we use digital x-rays, which decrease radiation exposure by as much as 80%. They are instantly available for viewing and much better for the environment since they are stored electronically in your file and don't require chemicals for developing.
Oral Cancer Screenings
Every examination includes a screening for oral cancer. While certain factors can increase your risk for developing cancer, including the combination of drinking alcohol and using tobacco, oral cancer can hit at any age.
Early detection significantly improves your chances of successful treatment.
Fluoride and Sealants
Healthy teeth begin early, and interventions like fluoride and sealants have been shown to greatly reduce the risk of cavities, or dental caries. Did you know that the Centers for Disease Control considers dental cavities to be the most common childhood illness in American children? Also that a whopping 84% of cavities suffered by children occur in the grooves of their teeth? This is understandable – after all, these grooves are often so narrow that a toothbrush can’t even fit into the spaces and remove plaque. Thankfully, a well-placed dental sealant from Lakeland Family Dental here in Oconomowoc, WI can provide a valuable extra layer of protection for young and old smiles alike, and their placement is simple and painless.
Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that we paint on teeth after a cleaning to strengthen enamel. Sealants are a resin coating that we apply to the back molars to seal off and protect the deep grooves that can occur in these teeth from decay-causing bacteria.
The Sealant Placement Process
While children who’ve just had their permanent molars erupt are the most common recipients of dental sealants, adults with unusually deep grooves in the back teeth or a higher risk factor for decay may be prime candidates as well.
First, we’ll mildly etch your tooth to create a microscopically rough surface for sealant to stick to. Then, we’ll paint the tough, resin material over the grooves and use a high intensity light to quickly harden it in place.
The finished product will be virtually invisible, allowing you to enjoy an increased level of protection without worrying about your look.
Dental sealants typically last from two to four years, with some staying in place for as many as ten years. Regular check-ups will allow Dr. Ruiz and Dr. Sam to monitor their effectiveness and reapply when necessary.
Nightguards for Bruxism
Teeth grinding (also known as bruxism) is a common habit among adults, but that definitely doesn’t mean this damaging condition should be taken lightly. When left untreated, patients can experience facial pain, serious headaches, worn-down enamel, significant tooth sensitivity, structural damage, and much more.
Thankfully, our made-to-order nightguards can provide your smile with a valuable layer of protection, and they’re comfortable and easy to wear throughout the night.
Sportsguards
When you’re getting your child’s gear ready for the big game, don’t forget to include an athletic mouthguard!
Nearly half of all sports injuries involve the face in some way. Games with flying projectiles, such as basketball, baseball, and football, or a risk of falling, like skateboarding and hockey, can make participants especially prone to painful damage.
While you can pick up a run-of-the-mill mouthguard at any sports store, we recommend that you come to our Oconomowoc office so that we can create a custom-made guard that promises exceptional comfort and safety.
TMJ Therapy
Your temporomandibular joints (TMJs) may be small, but they serve a crucial purpose by attaching your lower jaw to your skull. This means that when they’re even slightly misaligned, it can cause a whole host of potentially debilitating symptoms, including serious migraines; face, neck, and shoulder pain; and even locking in one position.
With the help of occlusal adjustments and stabilizing splints, our team at Lakeland Family Dental can alleviate discomfort and provide you with the relief you need.
Call to Schedule Your Next Preventive Check-Up!
Investing in a preventive plan is a great way to preserve your oral health, your smile’s beauty, and your overall quality of life. We welcome you to contact Lakeland Family Dental today if you have any questions for our team or you’d like to schedule your first appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Fluoride is a safe, naturally occurring mineral that greatly improves the strength and life of your teeth.
Many communities recognize the importance of fluoride, particularly for children, and add it to the town water supply. However, with the popularity of un-fluoridated, bottled water, many people do not receive the recommended amount of fluoride to maintain strong teeth.
Fluoride is an important part of your preventive treatment plan. We'll ask you questions about your water habits and determine whether you could benefit from additional fluoride supplementation. We also recommend brushing your teeth with a fluoride-containing toothpaste. We may recommend that you supplement your brushing and flossing with a fluoride rinse to help keep your enamel strong and healthy, or restore strength if that is what is needed.
Depending on the level of fluoride in your water, we may recommend fluoride supplement tablets and fluoride treatments for children to protect their teeth from premature decay and cavities. We know that many people have questions and concerns about fluoride, and we want you to have the information you need to make choices for your family's health. For details about fluoride, give us a call, and we’ll be happy to address your concerns.
At Lakeland Family Dental, we put patient safety first and we get a lot of questions about the safety of x-rays because they emit a smaller amount of radiation. We use digital dental x-rays in our Oconomowoc dental office because they are more accurate, safer, and emit up to 80 percent less radiation than traditional film x-rays. We still use protective equipment such as lead aprons and thyroid cuffs to make them even safer!
With the minimal amount of radiation that digital dental x-rays emit, they are ultra-safe. You actually have more exposure from being outside on a sunny day.
We cannot always visually detect oral health conditions because your teeth are covered in protective enamel. This is when digital dental x-rays become an important part of your diagnostic dental care. By using x-rays, we can detect decay when it is smaller, easier to treat, and more affordable to resolve.
Digital x-rays can be manipulated – zooming in, adjusting exposure and contrast, and even changing the color, making it possible for Dr. Eric and Dr. Sam to make an even earlier diagnosis, which protects your smile!
Your health comes first and we are here to answer any questions or address any concerns about your dentistry. Just let us know and we can discuss anything on your mind.
The short answer - yes! Modern scientific studies show that electric toothbrushes remove more plaque than manual brushes. These same studies show that electric toothbrushes are perfectly safe for your teeth and gums. You are actually less likely to cause gum recession or tooth damage with an electric toothbrush than you are with a manual brush!
Many electric toothbrushes come with a timer to ensure you are brushing for the full 2 minute recommendation. Electric toothbrushes can be particularly helpful for anyone who has lost or limited hand dexterity, whether due to natural aging or injury.
Adding an electric toothbrush into your oral hygiene routine can be an easy way to improve your oral health!
Meet Our Doctors:
Dr. Samantha Ruiz
Dr. Samantha Ruiz, also known as "Dr. Sam", knew she wanted to be a dentist from an early age.
She grew up in Kenosha and, after graduating high school, attended Marquette University for nearly a decade. ...
Dr. Eric Ruiz
Dr. Eric Ruiz ("Dr. Ruiz"), received his BA in molecular and cellular biology from the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign. He went on to obtain his DDS from the Marquette University School of Dentistry ...
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