We love our patients, so we’d be more than happy to see you every day! Alas, we realize that’s not really possible, so here are some more realistic guidelines for making appointments.

In general, it all depends on your oral health status and your health history.

For most patients, the optimal frequency to visit the dentist is twice a year. Between your visits, enough tartar and plaque can build up to require a dental check-up and cleaning, especially if your dental hygiene isn’t as rigorous as it should be. 

Our Dental Hygienists are great at scheduling you before you leave.  This year we are working to expand our office to get you in easier and keep those smiles happy.  You can always request appointments on Facebook or right here on our website too!

For others with gum disease, a genetic predisposition for plaque build-up or cavities, or a weakened immune system, you’ll need to visit more frequently for optimal care.

Depending on where you fall in those categories, we will prescribe the necessary frequency to keep your optimal health.  We recommend checking your Patient Connect 365 account to update your communication preferences.  If you or your child recently became an adult (18), please provide a unique email address and contact information.

It’s important to keep your routine visits with us so that:
• We can check for problems that you might not see or feel.
• We can find early signs of decay (decay doesn’t become visible or cause pain until it reaches more advanced stages).
• We can treat any other oral health problems found (generally, the earlier a problem is found, the more manageable it is).

There you have it! Those are the brass tacks for how often you should schedule an appointment.

​But don’t let this keep you from stopping in and saying hi whenever you’re in the neighborhood! We love seeing your smile!

One day a patient grabbed me into a big hug when I walked into the lobby and thanked me for helping her work out financially how she can take care of her treatment and especially for being so patient with her. I had been having a rough day and the thoughtfulness of this patient moved me to tears.  ​

​According to the National Institutes of Health, the most prevalent health condition after the
common cold is tooth decay.

It’s more than likely that if you haven’t already had a cavity, you will develop at least one in 
your lifetime.

So, how do you know if you have a cavity? Well, depending on the severity of your tooth decay, you 
may experience a variety of symptoms. Here are some of the accompanying symptoms that go along with 
tooth decay.
•             Nothing (in the early stages)
•             A toothache or spontaneous tooth pain
•             Tooth sensitivity
•             Pain (slight or severe) when eating something sweet, hot, or cold
•             Staining (brown, black, or white) on the surface of your tooth
•             Visible holes in your tooth. Those holes are cavities
•              Pain when biting down
The best time to catch a cavity is in the early stages, when there are few, if any, symptoms.

We have a variety of ways you can reach out to us to schedule or get in contact regarding your accounts.

• Call us at 410-795-0055
• Email us at FreedomDentalCare@freedomdds.com
• Message us using Facebook
• Or contact us by using our contact form found on our website

We will let you know the best course of treatment for your particular situation. The recommen- 
dation could be as easy as watching and waiting to see if we find any tooth decay in the very early 
stages.

Many of our guests prefer to do away with the middleman (insurance agency) and participate in our Freedom Dental Care Benefit Plan. This plan allows for the decisions of your oral care be left to you and the doctor, not some arbitrary "limits" set by an insurance company.  This allows for treatment to be provided at our office and specialty practices without the need for preauthorizations.

As always, brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, floss at least once a day, and try to
minimize the amount of sugar in your diet.
​
These steps will help you be proactive in preventing cavities.
Even better, your teeth will thank you for it!

Mouth open or mouth closed?

After lunch or after dinner?

Flat or at an angle?

We brush our teeth every day (hopefully!), but who knew it was this complicated. Just grab a brush a get to work, right?

​Not so fast, my friend! There are actually some best practices to be mindful of when brushing those pearly whites.

The trick is cutting through the fat and finding out exactly what works. We live in a world of alternate facts, truthiness, and lists of “7 Ways to Keep Your Teeth Clean Without Picking Up a Toothbrush.” What’s even correct these days?!

Fear not, because we’ve got you covered with this handy FAQ (frequently asked questions) guide. We’ll keep it simple with some easy dos and don’ts of brushing. Let’s get to it!

Don’t: Keep your brush flat
Do: Use a 45-degree angle when brushing

Don’t: Use looooooooong strokes. No need to cover your whole mouth in one stroke!
Do: Use short, side to side strokes
​
Don’t: Brush with the force of a giant. This isn’t a strongman contest!
Do: Gently cover all areas. A gentle touch helps prevent wear and tear on your enamel

Don’t: Go one and done
Do: Brush at least twice a day, especially after eating or drinking something acidic (like citrus or soda)

Don’t: Be sentimental and use the same toothbrush for life
Do: Change your toothbrush every 3-4 months. A trick to remember: switch out on the first day of each season

Don’t: Be average – the average person brushes their teeth for 45 seconds
Do: Brush for a full 2 minutes. A helpful trick: say the alphabet while brushing a certain section, move to the next section after you hit Z.

Don’t: Keep your toothbrush in a closed container
Do: All your toothbrush to air dry

Don’t: Store your toothbrush on the sink counter where bathroom particles can get on it
Do: Store your toothbrush in the medicine cabinet

Don’t: Wield a tough-bristled brush
Do: Use a soft-bristled toothbrush, which is much better for your tooth enamel

And there we have it! Some easy practices to keep that perfect smile.

Remember: Brushing is only 4 minutes out of the day, so why not make it the best 4 minutes of the day!

I am originally from Canada and earned my DDS degree from Indiana University School of Dentistry. Practiced in Lansing, Michigan for 2 years and then moved to Ellicott City, MD. I am passionate about my career and love being a dentist. I am hard working, efficient and dedicated in providing the best possible care for my patients. ​

Traveling and drawing.​