Dr. Maria Oquet Ricart, DDS

Dr. Maria Oquet Ricart, DDS is a Preventive Dentistry practitioner dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive preventative dental care. As a partner in preventive health featured on weprevent.org, she practices at her clinic in Hialeah, FL, and is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine, practicing under the 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, fostering a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. Dr. Maria DDS serves all ages. Please call (305) 362-5111 to confirm if she is currently accepting new patients.

Dr. Maria Oquet Ricart, DDS is a dentistry practitioner in Hialeah, FL, dedicated to the principles of preventive dentistry. Her approach emphasizes the crucial link between oral and systemic health, recognizing the significant role oral hygiene plays in overall well-being. She prioritizes creating personalized prevention strategies for each patient, tailoring care to meet individual needs and risk factors. This personalized approach ensures that preventive measures are not only effective but also integrated into a holistic health plan. While Dr. Maria DDS provides consultations primarily in English, she is dedicated to providing exceptional care to all patients and is committed to improving the oral health of her community.

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

• Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorder: Protecting your jaw joint from TMJ disorder involves understanding risk factors like teeth grinding and stress, and seeking help from your dentist to prevent painful flare-ups and lasting damage.
• Mouth Conditions: Managing mouth conditions effectively helps protect your teeth, gums, and overall well-being, enhancing your quality of life.
• Palate Cancer: Palate cancer, a serious disease affecting the roof of your mouth, is best prevented through regular dental checkups that allow for early detection and prompt treatment.
• Gingival Fibromatosis: Gingival fibromatosis is a rare condition causing unusually firm and overgrown gums, which, if left unmanaged, can lead to difficulties with chewing, cleaning your teeth, and potentially gum disease.
• Dental Trauma: Taking preventive steps like wearing a mouthguard helps safeguard your teeth from trauma, protecting your smile and overall oral health.
• Jaw Irregularities: Addressing jaw irregularities proactively helps maintain proper bite alignment, reducing the risk of developing more serious dental problems and improving overall oral health.
• Receded Upper Jaw: Preventing further recession of your upper jaw requires prompt attention to gum health, with regular brushing, flossing, and professional cleanings being key preventative measures.

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

• Zoom!® Teeth Whitening: Take a proactive step towards a healthier and more aesthetically pleasing smile with Zoom! Teeth Whitening.
• 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.
• Removable Appliances: Removable appliances can be a crucial part of your oral health plan, assisting in preventing gum recession and maintaining the health of your existing teeth.
• Bone Regeneration Procedure: Bone regeneration helps restore the jawbone's structure, improving the long-term stability and health of your teeth and gums.
• Sleep Apnea Oral Appliances: Proactively address potential sleep apnea with a consultation for an oral appliance; this comfortable device can improve your sleep, reduce snoring, and improve your overall health.
• Fixed Orthodontic Correction: Fixed orthodontic correction, such as braces or aligners, straightens your teeth to improve your bite and prevent future dental problems.
• Osseous Surgery: As part of comprehensive periodontal care, osseous surgery can help restore the supporting structures of your teeth, preventing tooth loss and promoting long-term oral health.

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. Maria 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 the risk factors for TMJ disorder and proactively addressing them with their dentist, a patient avoided painful flare-ups and maintained a healthy jaw joint.
• By attending regular checkups and following a personalized preventive plan, a family significantly reduced their risk of developing future mouth conditions, ensuring a healthy smile and overall well-being.
• By prioritizing regular dental checkups, a patient proactively reduced their risk of palate cancer, gaining peace of mind knowing early detection could prevent future complications.

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. Maria DDS:

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

Dr. Maria DDS recommends visiting every six months for a checkup and cleaning. This allows our team to remove tartar buildup, which 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 diligent brushing and flossing, plaque hardens into tartar that only a professional cleaning can remove. This crucial step prevents cavities and, importantly, gum disease, which is linked to other health problems such as heart disease.

How is oral health connected to my overall health?

Your oral health is intrinsically linked to your overall well-being. Chronic gum inflammation (periodontitis) has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and poorly controlled diabetes. Preventive dental care is essential for maintaining optimal body health.

What is TMJ disorder?

Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) disorder is a condition affecting the jaw joint and the muscles that control jaw movement. Common symptoms include jaw pain, clicking or popping sounds, and headaches. Dr. Maria DDS can help diagnose the issue and recommend treatments, including a custom nightguard to prevent damage from teeth grinding.

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. Maria DDS is needed to determine the cause and recommend effective treatments, such as desensitizing toothpaste or in-office procedures.

Do you perform oral cancer screenings?

Yes, an oral cancer screening is a routine and important part of every dental check-up. Dr. Maria will visually inspect your lips, tongue, gums, and entire mouth for any abnormalities; early detection is key to successful treatment.

Can you help with snoring or sleep apnea?

Dr. Maria DDS can help with some cases of snoring or sleep apnea. For some patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea, she can create a custom-fitted oral appliance to keep the airway open while you sleep. This is a comfortable and effective alternative to CPAP for eligible patients.

When should my child first see a dentist?

Dr. Maria 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.

5834 W 20th Ave
Hialeah FL 33016
Phone: (305) 362-5111

Dr. Maria Oquet Ricart, 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): 1952702052

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. Maria 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.