Dental exams are one of the most crucial parts of maintaining good oral health. However, for many people, going to the dentist can be an intimidating and daunting experience. Conversely, others may not see the point of regular checkups, seeing it instead as a push to find fixes for things that aren’t problems. While it’s perfectly understandable to feel this way, it’s important to remember that regular dental checkups can help you prevent a wide range of dental problems (even ones that don’t hurt!) and keep your teeth and gums in excellent condition. At Peninsula Family Dentistry, we offer dental exams in Gig Harbor, Washington, and surrounding areas, such as the Port Orchard and South Kitsap, Washington. With expert care from our dentist, Dr. Thomas Duffy, we strongly believe in personalizing each patient’s care, providing the best care for them, and allowing them to take ownership of and decide the best treatments for themselves and their oral health.
We believe in providing our patients with the knowledge necessary to know what their treatment options are and why they may be recommended, then help them along the path of treatment they feel would be the best for them with guided help from Dr. Duffy.
To help our patients understand the importance of dental exams, we have provided the following list of benefits and what we provide with dental exams:
Prevention is Key
Regular dental exams can help prevent a wide range of dental problems. During a dental exam, your dentist, hygienist, and the rest of your oral health care team will check your teeth (and any X-rays taken) for cavities, gum disease, and other oral health issues. They will also remove plaque and tartar buildup, which can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. By catching these problems early, Dr. Duffy can prevent them from worsening and causing more severe problems.
Oral Cancer Screening
In addition to checking for dental problems, dental exams are an excellent time for catching oral cancers at earlier stages should they be present. Dr. Thomas Duffy will perform an oral cancer screening during your exam. Oral cancer is a serious disease that can be life-threatening if left untreated. However, when caught early, it’s generally highly treatable. During an oral cancer screening, Dr. Duffy will check your mouth, tongue, and throat for signs of cancer.
Overall Health
Your oral health is closely linked to your overall health. Chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and dementia have been connected to poor oral health through recent studies and are becoming a more looked-at topic. Maintaining good oral hygiene and seeing our excellent dentist at Peninsula Family Dentistry for regular checkups can help reduce your risk of developing these and other serious health problems.
Saving Money
While regular dental exams and checkups may seem unnecessary, they can save you money in the long run. By catching dental problems early, Dr. Thomas Duffy may be able to treat them with less invasive and less expensive procedures. In contrast, waiting until the situation has worsened may require more extensive and costly treatments.
And if you do not have dental insurance, talk to us about our Dental Membership Plan. In addition to saving money on restorative care such as filling cavities, participating patients receive two full hygiene cleaning and exams per year for the cost of one each year!
From saving money to properly maintaining your health, dental exams are an excellent way to care for your oral health. As noted before, we are happy to help find a checkup interval that works best for your needs.
Better Breath
Bad breath can be embarrassing and can even be a sign of a more serious dental problem. During a dental exam, Dr. Duffy can help identify the cause of your bad breath and recommend the appropriate treatment. Additionally, professionally cleaning your teeth can remove the bacteria that cause bad breath, rebalance the oral microbiome, and help keep your mouth fresh and clean. We strongly encourage proper oral hygiene care to help maintain your breath and keep your teeth and gums healthy.
Dental Exams in Gig Harbor, WA
Regular dental exams are essential for maintaining good oral health and preventing dental problems. By catching these problems early, your dentist can prevent them from worsening and causing more severe problems. Additionally, regular dental exams have been linked to better overall health and can even save you money in the long run. Dr. Duffy and his excellent team are here to provide the best care for their patients. Don’t skip your bi-annual dental exams and get the care you need today.
Schedule an appointment with Dr. Duffy at Peninsula Family Dentistry today.
