What if we told you the more often you see your dentist, the less you’ll spend on dentistry? We know it sounds like a contradiction, but that is the power of preventive dentistry.
We recommend that you visit us at least twice a year for a teeth cleaning appointment, which also includes a basic exam. You’ll hear dental professionals refer to this kind of appointment as prophylaxis (prophy for short), which is a word that comes from a Greek term that means “guard”. The services we perform during your teeth cleaning & checkup are intended to guard against the spread & development of disease, particularly tooth decay & gum disease.
Think of your preventive dental care in terms of this metaphor: you’re at home & a bad rain storm is coming. What would you rather respond to, a weather report telling you that there is a flood warning, or three feet of water in your living room? Wouldn’t you want the early warning so you have time to place sandbags to keep the water out?
As a dental patient, which would you rather have, a dental hygienist gently removing plaque & tartar from your teeth, or the dentist telling you that your tooth is too far gone to be saved & has to be removed?
We say this not to scare you & not as a threat, but because we want you to think of preventive dentistry as an early warning system for your mouth. We’d rather let you know about the risks to your health & help you take preventive measures than be on the phone with the insurance company telling them about the damage.
A few dozens sandbags are a lot cheaper than replacing your belongings & repairing damage to your house. Preventive dentistry, like teeth cleanings, is much cheaper than restorative repair to fix decay, such as fillings, crowns, & bridges or gum disease treatments. If you have dental insurance, most of your annual preventive dental care is covered & won’t cost you any extra money. That’s like if your homeowner’s insurance offered you a load of sandbags for free twice a year, just in case there was a flood. If you knew there was a risk of flooding, why would your refuse the offer?
So if you want to avoid costly restorative dentistry or gum disease treatments in the future, be sure to come see us every six months for your preventive care & cleaning appointment. An hour of your time twice a year is well worth trying to repair the damage after a catastrophe!
Family Safety Comes First
We maintain the highest standards of sterilization & patient safety in order to safeguard your health.
Digital X-Rays Are Safer
Digital x-rays are computer-generated images that require up to 90% less radiation than conventional film-type x-rays.
Want To Improve The Look of Your Smile With Less Hassle?
Lumineers® Porcelain Veneers are the no-prep solution for your cosmetic dentistry needs!
Ready to Schedule Your Appointment?
At Hillandale Smiles, we have convenient hours that won’t make you miss work or school.
Address & Phone
We are located on Elton Road off New Hampshire Avenue, behind the Hillandale Shopping Center.
301-768-4667
Hours
- Monday: 7:30am-7:00pm
- Tuesday: 7:30am-5:00pm
- Wednesday: 7:30am-7:00pm
- Thursday: 7:30am-7:00pm
- Friday: 7:30am-5:00pm
- Monday: 7:30am-7:00pm
- Tuesday: 7:30am-5:00pm
- Wednesday: 7:30am-7:00pm
- Thursday: 7:30am-7:00pm
- Friday: 7:30am-5:00pm
About Us
At Hillandale Smiles, our team is dedicated to providing a comfortable & trusted dental experience. We know our patients have busy schedules, so we provide holistic & comprehensive children’s care, adult care, specialty care & cosmetic care all in one convenient location with your individualized needs in mind. From preventive care to smile restorations, the team at Hillandale Smiles is committed to providing the highest quality care for a lifetime of healthy smiles.