Family Dentistry T. Todd Hickman DDS/ Rachel Williams Nolan DDS

05/16/2026

Stacey and Dr. Williams attending a Continuing Education course Friday on Orthodontics and Sleep-disordered breathing appliances. A beautiful morning on the water and a fantastic refresher on Orthodontics. 🪥📚💤🦷

03/01/2026

🧚🦷 It's National Tooth Fairy Day! Dental hygienists are the real-life version, helping patients of every age keep their smiles strong, healthy, and something to celebrate. So thank the Tooth Fairy for all those dollar bills under the pillow and thank a hygienist for everything that comes after!

✨Fun fact: National Tooth Fairy Day is celebrated twice a year – just like the recommended number of oral health visits to your dental hygienist!

02/17/2026

Flossing may lower your risk of more than 50 systemic diseases.

Most people see flossing as a small hygiene step — something that just prevents cavities or stops gums from bleeding.

But gum inflammation is not just local irritation. It is biologically active. Inflamed gums release inflammatory mediators, and harmful oral bacteria can enter the bloodstream during everyday activities like chewing. This phenomenon, called transient bacteremia, is well documented in medical literature.

Over time, untreated periodontal disease has been associated with serious systemic conditions, including:

• Cardiovascular disease and stroke
• Poorly controlled type 2 diabetes
• Pregnancy complications
• Respiratory infections
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease
• Chronic kidney disease

The connection is inflammatory and microbial.

When plaque builds up between teeth, it creates an oxygen-poor environment where pathogenic bacteria thrive. The immune system responds continuously. That chronic inflammatory burden can influence blood vessels, insulin regulation, endothelial health, and even brain tissue.

Flossing physically disrupts that bacterial biofilm in areas a toothbrush cannot reach.

It reduces the bacterial load.
It lowers gum inflammation.
It decreases repeated episodes of bacteria entering the bloodstream.

This is not cosmetic dentistry. It is preventive health care that starts in the mouth.

Oral health and systemic health are biologically connected. A simple daily habit — interdental cleaning — is one of the most practical, evidence-based steps you can take to protect both.

Small habit. Whole-body impact.

02/13/2026

Future dentists in the making?! While mom and dad get their cleanings, our little friend is doing a cleaning of her own today. Happy Friday everyone!

02/08/2026

On Friday our very own Dr. Rachel gave our elementary Judy center a presentation for National Children’s Dental Health Month. Thank you to all of the parents and kiddos who came out for the event! 🪥🦷

02/05/2026

⭐️Shoutout⭐️
We are grateful for the amazing practices in our community who trust us with their patients. Your collaboration with us is meaningful and together, we’re making a difference one smile at a time 🦷🤍

02/04/2026

01/26/2026

Our office will be closed on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, to facilitate thorough parking lot maintenance and ensure staff safety. We anticipate resuming normal operations on Wednesday; please monitor our page for updates.

01/22/2026

Due to the anticipated winter storm this weekend, please be advised that our office will be closed on Monday, January 26, 2026. Appointments scheduled for this day will be rescheduled following a phone call today. We will assess the situation regarding Tuesday's schedule and provide updates accordingly.

12/22/2025

We will be closed for the holidays from Wednesday 12/24/25- Friday 1/2/2026.
If you have an emergency please call our office phone number 410-778-1297.
We hope everyone has a Happy Holiday!!