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.
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:
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 ...
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.
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.
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
As part of preventive dentistry at Hickory Ridge Dental in Columbia, MD, a dental examination is a comprehensive visit focused on keeping your teeth and gums healthy and catching problems early—before they become more serious.
Your appointment typically begins with a review of your dental and medical history, followed by a thorough evaluation of your teeth, gums, bite, and overall oral health. The goal is to detect issues like cavities, gum disease, or early signs of wear before they cause discomfort or require more complex treatment.
We often use modern preventive technology such as digital X-rays to see areas that aren’t visible during a visual exam, helping identify hidden decay, bone loss, or infections early.
Your visit may also include:
After the exam, our team will go over your results, answer any questions, and provide personalized recommendations to help you maintain a healthy smile. Preventive visits like these are essential because many dental problems develop without noticeable symptoms at first.
To stay on top of your oral health, call (410) 997-9494 or schedule an appointment with Hickory Ridge Dental in Columbia, MD today.