Our Columbia family and cosmetic dentist office offers a full range of general dentistry services for adults and children. Routine preventive dental care is the foundation of our dental practice. Our general dentistry services in Columbia, MD, are part of preventive care. Regular dental exams ensure we detect and treat oral health problems early. In addition to routine visits, we offer treatments to prevent gum disease and tooth infections.
Howard County Smiles provides advanced cosmetic dentistry and restorative services for patients of all ages. Our experienced dentists near you in Columbia, Maryland, can diagnose and treat TMJ disorders.
General Dentistry in Columbia, MD
General dentistry includes preventative dental treatments that maintain your oral health. As a part of our comprehensive dental services, general dental services offered in our Howard County dentist office include:
- ProActive Dentistry: With proactive dentistry, our office takes steps to help treat dental problems early. We will find the root of your dental issue and provide the best treatment for you.
- Tooth Cleanings: Routine dental cleanings are essential to dental care. When our hygienists clean your teeth and gums, they remove plaque and tartar. Cleanings are essential to stop tooth and gum infections.
- Pediatric Dentistry: We help make the dentist a fun and positive place for our younger patients. Children should see the dentist twice a year for a cleaning and exam like adults. Our office also offers dental sealants and fluoride treatments, which are regular treatments to prevent cavities in children.
- Periodontal Therapy: Gum disease is a common and damaging dental problem. If you develop gum disease, you can develop irritated, sensitive, and bleeding gums. Our office provides non-invasive gum treatments to remove harmful bacteria and restore your gum health.
- Root Canals: A root canal treatment can repair and save a severely infected tooth. During the procedure, we remove the infected or damaged tissue inside the tooth. Then, we clean, disinfect, and fill the tooth. Successful root canal therapy will prevent the need for a tooth extraction.
Proactive Dental Care in Columbia, MD
As a top local family dentist in Howard County, we offer the best preventive dental care to treat patients. Proactive, comprehensive dentistry describes all the procedures used to arrest tooth decay and other diseases in the earliest stages.
When we identify and treat dental problems at the source, we can offer treatment designed to prevent their recurrence. The goal is to keep you healthy and maintain your natural teeth for life.
“Being proactive means that we are going to look for exactly what caused the condition to occur for a patient, instead of just trying to react to what actually did happen.” Dr. Ray Becker
Some individuals may need to see the dentist more often than others to prevent problems like plaque buildup and gum disease. However, the American Dental Association recommends everyone visit their dentist at least twice yearly.
Your Compassionate Dentist in Columbia, MD
We believe the best dentistry is a collaborative process between the dentist and the patient. We will take time to listen to your needs and goals. Then, we develop a personalized treatment plan to help you get the smile you want.
Our thorough examinations help us identify problems that can cause functional and cosmetic concerns. We use digital technology to make your experience more pleasant. At the same time, we can deliver accurate information for diagnosis and treatment.
Cleanings and exams are essential to general dentistry in our Columbia, MD office.
A dental exam typically includes:
- Digital dental X-rays
- Other diagnostic dental imaging
- Screening for gum disease, tooth decay, and oral cancer
- Occlusal and examination of temporomandibular joints (TMJ)
We will take X-rays at some visits to find problems in the tooth’s nerves, gums, and jaw. Our team will also screen for multiple dental problems at regular visits. If you have signs of TMJ disorders, we can examine your bite. We can use a special light to find problems like oral cancer.
In addition, if we find a dental problem during an exam, we will work with you to create a treatment plan. We will consider your medications, health, and budget to tailor treatment to your needs. Our team will only recommend safe, effective treatments for your dental issues.
Payment and Dental Insurance Information
Howard County Smiles strives to make our dental services as affordable as possible. Our office accepts most major dental insurance plans. We will submit claims on your behalf so that you can maximize your insurance benefits.
Our office now offers an In-house Dental Savings Membership. This plan can help you budget your annual routine dental care. Our membership also offers additional benefits, such as discounts on some of our most popular treatments. Plans are available for both individuals and families. We also offer a range of payment options, like phased treatment plans and financing options.
General Dentistry FAQs
Preventative care and general dentistry in Columbia, MD, provide the basis for your oral health. Learn more by reading the answers to these common questions:
How often do I have to visit the dentist?
Per the ADA, we recommend that you visit our Columbia, MD dentist at least twice a year. This helps us to monitor your dental health. We also provide a thorough dental cleaning with specialized dental tools.
In some cases, we may recommend that you visit more often. If you have gum disease or other conditions, you’ll need to come in more often to keep these problems under control.
Is a manual or electric toothbrush better?
Both options are effective if you use them properly. Electric toothbrushes can provide extra benefits to children and patients with movement disorders. It can be difficult to get the full range of motion that leads to successful dental cleaning. Electric toothbrushes provide an extra boost in this department.
How often should I change my toothbrush?
Your toothbrush wears out over time, especially if you brush as often as you should. Change your manual toothbrush every three months. For an electric toothbrush, read the instructions, as you may not have to change the brush heads as often.
If you have gum disease, you should change your toothbrush every 4-6 weeks to prevent the infection from spreading further. If you’ve been sick, change your toothbrush as soon as possible.
What’s the most common general dental problem?
We see tooth decay most often. Almost everyone gets a cavity at some point in their lives. Children and seniors are the most prone, but tooth decay can happen at any age.
A good oral hygiene routine and regular dental visits can prevent decay. Also, stay hydrated and avoid too many sugary or acidic foods to prevent cavities.
Why do I need to floss?
Brushing your teeth doesn’t reach every area of your mouth. When you chew, food and bacteria can get stuck between your teeth, where your toothbrush can’t reach.
Dental floss does that job. Without flossing, the debris can stay and attract bacteria, which can lead to cavities between the teeth. These cavities are often harder to notice until they become more of a problem.
In addition, if you don’t floss enough, you can experience bleeding gums when you brush and floss. Bleeding gums are a sign of gingivitis, which can become gum disease over time.
Why do I need dental X-rays?
A standard dental exam can only see so much, though we train to recognize early signs of dental conditions. Digital X-rays allow us to see between teeth and the bone structure. X-rays make it easier to find tiny cavities before they become more serious. We can also see your wisdom teeth and any infection in the bone.
How do I know I need a root canal?
You might need a root canal if you have a severe toothache, especially if it hurts when you chew or touch the tooth. Other signs include swelling or tenderness in your gums around the tooth, or if your tooth is susceptible to hot or cold and doesn’t go away after a while. Sometimes, you might even notice a pimple-like bump on your gums near the tooth.
How often should I visit the dentist if I have gum disease?
If you have gum disease, it’s important to visit the dentist more often than usual. Our dentist might want to see you every 3 to 4 months to monitor your gum health and ensure the disease doesn’t worsen. Regular visits help our dentist clean your teeth and check for any signs of further issues, like bleeding gums or tooth mobility.
Schedule a Dental Exam
Do you need a family dentist near you in Columbia, MD, or the surrounding communities? We are currently accepting new patients ages three and older. Call our office at (410) 415-9013 or schedule an appointment online.
Our dentist serves Ellicott City and Columbia, MD. We look forward to meeting the oral health needs of you and your family.