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Preventive Dentistry
Your Oral Health Is Our Top Priority

Making regular dental visits can help you keep your teeth and gums healthy for a lifetime of smiles.

A woman smiling after getting a preventive treatment in Columbia, Md

Preventive Dentistry

A woman getting treatment in Columbia, Md

When you think about your health, your main focus is probably on what is happening with your body. Although this is important, you should also consider your oral health. Taking care of your teeth and gums is essential to your overall health and can help you keep your teeth for a lifetime.

Preventive dentistry is the best way to help you keep your mouth healthy. Combining good dental hygiene at home with regular visits to your dentist gives you the best chance of maintaining your oral health and keeping your teeth and gums healthy.

Prevention Is the Best Approach

A healthy, beautiful smile doesn’t just happen. To keep your teeth and gums healthy for a lifetime, you need preventive dental care that involves more than just brushing and flossing your teeth. Your dentist can help educate you on maintaining the best oral health possible.

Some of the preventive dentistry services your dentist offers include the following:

  • Dental Exams — Visiting your dentist every six months for dental exams allows them to evaluate your oral health, scan for any issues, and treat dental problems before they worsen.
  • Dental Cleanings — Regularly scheduled dental cleanings will eliminate harmful plaque and tartar from your teeth, significantly reducing your chances of tooth decay and gum disease.
  • Fluoride Treatments — Fluoride is a mineral that helps prevent tooth decay. When you visit your dentist for a dental exam and cleaning, they will provide a fluoride treatment to remineralize your tooth enamel.
  • Dental Sealants — As part of a preventive dental plan, sealants are used to shield your teeth from the harmful bacteria that cause tooth decay.
  • X-rays —Dental x-rays can help your dentist identify and treat any underlying dental concerns. This can help you maintain your smile.
  • Dr. Alec Dancy

    Dr. Alec Dancy brings a thoughtful, relationship-centered approach to dentistry at Hickory Ridge Dental. He believes that great dental care goes beyond treating teeth—it’s about building lasting connections with patients and helping them feel genuinely cared for each time they visit.

    Dr. Dancy earned his undergraduate degree from The Johns Hopkins University in 2011 and his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Maryland Baltimore School of Dentistry in 2016. He then completed a one-year General Practice Residency at Christiana Hospital in Wilmington, Delaware, gaining advanced experience in comprehensive ...

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Keep Your Teeth and Gums Healthy

A mother smiling with her daughter brushing their teeth in Columbia, Md

Your dentist has the expertise to help you maintain your oral health, so when you are ready to learn more about preventive dentistry, contact our dental office to schedule an appointment.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Preventive Dentistry Technology

Laser Dentistry in Columbia, Md

Laser Dentistry

Dental lasers allow us to provide incredibly precise treatment with greater comfort, faster healing times, and less risk of bleeding than conventional surgical procedures. Lasers are particularly effective in the treatment of gum disease because they are able to target the damaged and diseased tissue while preserving healthy gum tissue. Lasers also effectively target bacteria, helping to eliminate the infection.

Testimonial

It Has Been A New Life to Both of Us.

I and my wife for first time got treatment at Clinic. It was wonderful . My son suggested it. Got our teeth cleaned and deep cleaned. All earlier gum infections/ pain on gone . It has been a new life to both of us. With reasonable price as we are without insurance . I thank Doctor and his team for nice treatment .

- Sushil

Frequently Asked Questions

Examinations are an important opportunity for us to check in with you, see how you are doing, and make sure that your teeth are healthy. We want to catch problems when they are small and can be treated easily. This allows for more comfortable and less costly dentistry for you. Unfortunately, by the time you are in pain, simple measures are no longer effective. Regular examinations allow us to nip this situation in the bud and keep your teeth healthy and beautiful.