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Stay Updated with the VP Dental Blog in Raleigh, NC
This dental blog in Raleigh, NC aims to give you oral health tips and dental care news to help you get more information about maintaining good dental health. Our team at VP Dental puts a big emphasis on patient education because we care about you and your family’s overall well-being.
Latest Dental News and Tips
Our dental articles will discuss a variety of problems, such as cavities, plaque, and chipped or damaged teeth. We will also emphasize the need to maintain good dental hygiene. You will discover that there are additional ways to enhance your oral health, even if you think you brush and floss regularly.
For expert advice and other important information to support you on your path to the best possible dental health, we invite you to read our VP Dental blog.
Water Activities and Your Teeth
TO THE AVID swimmers out there, you may have noticed that your teeth are…
Don’t Use Your Teeth as Tools!
OUR TEETH CAN do a lot of things. They chew our food, they form a lot of the structure of…
Teaching Good Dental Health Habits
IT’S NOT ALWAYS easy to teach a young child how to brush and floss. Little kids are…
Before Your Child’s First Dental Appointment
THERE AREN’T MANY things we love more than the smile of a child. It’s important to keep…
Bad Breath: A Big Deal in Medieval England
IN THE MIDDLE AGES, the English didn’t understand much about cavities or gum…
You’ll Be Smiling Again With Dental Implants
TOOTH DECAY, ACCIDENTS, and sports-related injuries are a few of the most common causes of…
The Anatomy of Human Teeth
DO YOU KNOW what the parts of the human tooth are? We’d like to give you a quick…
A Snoring Habit Could Mean Sleep Apnea
AROUND 1 IN 5 children with a snoring habit get it from sleep apnea, a sleep disorder that…
Tips for Parents With Teething Toddlers
DO YOU REMEMBER what it felt like when your adult molars were coming…
3 of History’s Strangest Teeth Traditions
THROUGHOUT HISTORY, different cultures have come up with some pretty unusual solutions for…
Quit That Ice-Chewing Habit!
WHAT’S SO BAD about chewing ice? It can actually do a…
The Many Benefits of Family Dentistry
Did you know that family dentistry can provide far more than general dentistry? When you visit a family practice like ours, you can bring all of your family members of all ages to our one location for everyone’s dental needs.
What Builds a Healthy Smile?
WE ALL KNOW how important daily brushing and flossing are to a growing child’s…
Protecting Kids from Dental Injuries
BEING A KID involves lots of scraped knees and bumps and bruises from running…
Types of Dental Careers
WHAT DOES A CAREER in dentistry look like? Being a dentist is an incredibly…
The Impact of Chemistry on Oral Health
HOW MUCH DO you remember from learning about the pH scale in science class? Don’t…
What Problems Does Invisalign Correct?
Would you like to have your orthodontic issues corrected without unsightly metal braces? You can with Invisalign®!
Weird Mouth Trivia to Drop at Parties
LOOKING FOR SOME trivia to impress people once we can safely have parties again? We…
Plan Ahead for the First Loose Tooth!
A GREAT WAY to make the prospect of losing that first baby tooth less scary is to help…
The Tooth Fairy Then and Now
WE CAN ALL REMEMBER what it was like to put a baby tooth under our pillow and find a…
Are You Flossing Properly?
Poor oral hygiene not only impacts the health of your mouth, but it can be linked to other health issues in your body as well. That’s why it’s important to learn and practice the right way to take care of your teeth and gums.
The First Woman to Earn a Dental Degree
IT’S WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH, which makes it a great time to celebrate a pretty awesome…
Canker Sores: Triggers and Remedies
GETTING A CANKER sore can mean days of distracting discomfort. Canker sores are…
The Role of Saliva
WHAT IS SPIT FOR? It’s a pretty important question in the realm of oral health. We tend…
Pregnancy’s Impact on Oral Health
AN EXPECTANT MOTHER goes through many changes during pregnancy beyond the…
Eating Disorders Versus Oral Health
WHEN WE THINK of the damage that eating disorders can do, we probably first think…
How Men’s Oral Health Is Different
MEN AND WOMEN have a lot in common, but they face significantly different challenges when it comes to…
Help! My Teeth Are Yellow
When you don’t like the color of your teeth, it can be hard to smile. Whitening your teeth not only changes your appearance, but it can enhance your confidence and change your countenance, as well.
Lip and Tongue Ties
DID YOU KNOW that it is possible to be tongue-tied in the medical sense? That’s…
How Sugar Affects Your Dental Health
Your mouth contains many types of bacteria. Some are good, but some are bad. Your mouth has the natural capability to fight off damage with your saliva, but if you abuse your teeth with foods that can cause repetitive attacks on your enamel, you can develop a cavity or other harmful dental issues.
What Is Restorative Dentistry?
Imperfect teeth, tooth loss, or pain in your gums are just a few of the many issues that can affect your oral health. They can also cause you to lose confidence in your smile. Restorative dentistry can change all of that for you.
How State-of-the-Art Technology Can Transform Your Smile
With so many advances in the world of dental technology today, you can be confident in what we offer at VP Dental in Raleigh, North Carolina. During your visit with Dr. Valerie M. Preston and the rest of our team, you experience the most cutting-edge practices and tools for your general, restorative, and cosmetic needs.
The Importance of Flossing Well
Practicing healthy oral hygiene habits keeps your teeth and gums strong and functioning at their peak performance. Most everyone knows the importance of brushing your teeth, but flossing plays a strong role in your mouth’s health as well.
How Often Should I Schedule Dental Cleanings?
You probably know the best way to maintain good oral hygiene is to brush your teeth twice a day and floss once a day. But do you know how often you need to see the dentist?
What Can I Eat After Teeth Whitening?
More than 38 million people in the U.S. alone turned to teeth whitening treatments last year. Teeth whitening can dramatically whiten and brighten your teeth up to seven shades in just under an hour. Besides enhancing your smile, these treatments can help kill bacteria and reduce your risk of gum disease or tooth decay.
How to Get and Maintain Your Whitest Teeth
If you want whiter teeth, you’re not alone. A recent survey found that 80% of adult Americans want whiter teeth. But having your teeth whitened is really only half the battle. You’ll still need to take some extra steps to maintain your newly whitened teeth!
Is Invisalign a Good Teeth Straightening Option For Me?
Did you know that over 8 million people and 1.4 million teens have found success with Invisalign? That’s because Invisalign is a clear, removable alternative to braces. You can get perfectly straightened teeth without having to deal with the hassle of clunky metal braces.
Popular Procedures to Consider When You Choose a Smile Makeover
Your smile is your confidence! It’s your calling card to the world, and you want it looking its best. Well, we have good news. With a smile makeover that’s entirely possible.
5 Ways To Optimize Your Oral Hygiene
Healthy teeth are important for your overall health. Did you know that bacteria from infections in your mouth can leach into your bloodstream? This can raise your risk of developing serious health problems, like heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.
What to Know Before Getting a Dental Crown
We get it. No one looks forward to their dental appointment. However, if you’re living with decayed or damaged teeth, and the pain that often comes with them, crowns can be lifesaving.
Pediatric Dentistry: Here’s How to Boost Your Child’s Oral Health
As a parent, you know that instilling proper dental habits in your children at an early age helps prevent tooth decay and cavities. That includes regularly having your child’s teeth checked by a dental professional.
How to Maintain Your Restorative Dentistry Services
Whether it’s getting a cavity filled, getting a root canal, or replacing your teeth with implants, a dental bridge, or dentures, nearly everyone has benefitted from restorative dentistry. Restorative dentistry keeps your teeth and mouth healthy, while ensuring you maintain your beautiful smile.
The Importance of Preventive Dentistry
Everyone wants a healthy mouth, and there’s only one way you can make this happen for yourself: by practicing preventive dentistry. Preventive dentistry combines personal care and dental expertise, and it should begin in childhood and extend throughout your life.
Straight Teeth Are Healthy Teeth: Why Alignment Matters
Do you have a bad bite? How about crooked, crowded, or protruding teeth? It’s easy to assume these dental issues are a cosmetic problem alone. But, over time, they can increase your chances of numerous dental complications.
Non-Cosmetic Reasons to Consider Veneers
When you think of veneers, the first thing that probably comes to mind is a smile makeover. But these custom-made porcelain shells do far more than fix cosmetic issues. That’s why Dr. Valerie M. Preston, at VP Dental, uses veneers to treat a wide range of dental problems.
Tips for Taking Care of Your Invisalign Trays
One of the great advantages of Invisalign® — in addition to straightening your teeth and creating a radiant smile — is that the trays are made of clear, comfortable plastic. What’s better than getting the smile you always wanted without the glint of metal braces?
Implants: Why They’re the Best Choice for Replacing Missing Teeth
Your teeth are designed to last a lifetime, but decay, accidents, and disease may have other plans, forcing you to look for replacement options. If you want a replacement tooth that fills both form and function, dental implants stand above the rest, mimicking your lost tooth right down to its roots.
How to Get and Maintain Your Whitest Teeth
When it comes to first impressions, your smile ranks high in terms of what people notice about you. You want to make sure your smile exudes confidence, great health, and vitality — which is largely powered by healthy, white teeth.
Veneers for That Celebrity Smile You’ve Always Wanted
Celebrities flash seemingly perfect smiles. You want to as well. But your genetics and life haven’t given you perfect teeth. You may have discolorations that don’t respond to conventional peroxide whitening or chips and misshapen teeth that came with wear, age, and unlucky genes.
Testing Your Saliva for Cavities and HPV
Have you ever wondered what purpose your saliva serves? If you didn’t know, saliva helps break down food, neutralizes mouth acid, and even fights germs and bad breath. Your saliva also contains your DNA, which originates from the cells that shed from the inner lining of your mouth and white blood cells.
How Diabetes Affects Your Oral Health
More than 30 million people in the United States had diabetes in 2015, according to the American Diabetes Association. Diabetes is a condition in which your body has trouble processing sugar, also known as glucose.
Smile Design: How Cosmetic Dentists Use the Golden Ratio
With its influence on the beauty of nature, it is no surprise that the golden ratio can aid cosmetic dentists in creating their patients’ perfect smiles. By using golden proportions to guide their corrections, these professionals can achieve aesthetically-pleasing results for their patients.
How Dental Veneers Can Change Your Smile
Porcelain veneers, also known as dental veneers, are thin, tooth-colored, porcelain shells that are placed over your preexisting smile. Dental veneers are a permanent solution to several cosmetic dental problems, are easy to care for, and will last a lifetime with proper care.
What is Dental Bonding?
Dental bonding is one of the easiest and least expensive ways to improve the appearance of your smile. Dental bonding, also known as cosmetic bonding, is pain-free and provides long-lasting results. Cosmetic dentists use dental bonding to repair teeth, change the shape of teeth, or to close gaps between teeth.
Green Products You Need in Your Home
Eco-friendly, or green, products are not only safer for the environment but also safer for you and your family. These types of products lack harmful chemicals that have long-term negative health effects, and typically are packaged using as little waste as possible to lower their impact on the environment.
The Gift of Dental Health: Mission Trips Around the Globe
VP Dental is among the thousands of dental practices in the United States that believe that dental health care should be accessible to each and every person on Earth. However, in many countries, there is a lack of accessible dental health care, dental hygiene products, and proper dental hygiene education.
How Your Dentist’s Office Environment Can Calm Dental Anxiety
If you have anxiety about going to the dentist, you are not alone – Over 36 percent of people worldwide suffer from dental anxiety. Dental anxiety can make it difficult to schedule and attend your regular dental appointments, which can lead to tooth and gum issues down the road.
How Essential Oils and Your Dentist Can Treat Receding Gums
Receding gums occur when the margin of your gum tissue surrounding the teeth begin to pull back or wear away, exposing more of your teeth or even the root of a tooth. Unfortunately, gum recession can cause gaps to form between your gum line and teeth, which can result in bacterial infections.
The Worst Sweets for Your Teeth
You have heard it all your life – sweets can be bad for your teeth. However, you may not have heard that some sweets are worse for your dental health than others. If you are like most people in the United States, you like sweet treats and consume far too much sugar.
Dangerous DIY Teeth Whitening Practices
Over time your teeth will become stained and discolored from food, beverages, and lifestyle habits. It’s normal for teeth to yellow and get stained over time, but those stains can leave you feeling self-conscious about your smile.
Green Dentistry: Environmentally Friendly Dental Care
Eco-friendly dentistry, or green dentistry, is a high-tech approach to dentistry that’s focused on reducing the environmental impact of a dental practice. It works to deliver dental treatments and oral health care using procedures, materials, and technologies that promote the health of the environment and planet.
White Smile Checklist: 10 Ways To Keep Your Pearly Whites Illuminated
An attractive smile is essential for a good first impression. Dull, discolored teeth can make you too embarrassed to smile or talk with confidence, which can affect your self-image. Diet, lifestyle, dental problems, skipping professional cleanings and dental care, and other factors can affect the whiteness and brightness of your smile. Fortunately, you can take steps to keep your pearly whites illuminated and attractive.
8 Tips for Choosing a Cosmetic Dentist
Since cosmetic dentistry isn’t actually recognized by the American Dental Association (ADA) as a specialty, any dentist can claim to be a cosmetic dentist. This makes it more difficult to find a dentist who has the credentials and skills to deal with cosmetic cases.
What do Bad Breath and Heart Disease Have in Common?
When most people think about bad breath, they do not think about heart disease. In fact, bad breath and heart disease have something in common, gum disease. Unfortunately, gum disease has been linked to an increased risk of heart problems, and inflammation may be the linking factor.
Is Artificial Sugar Better for Your Teeth Than Natural Sugar?
Do you eat a lot of sugary foods or consume a lot of sugary drinks? If you do, you could be weakening your enamel, which can lead to tooth decay and cavities. Dr. Preston recommends limiting your consumption of foods and drinks that contain sugar in order to protect the health of your teeth.
VP Dental Brand Refresh! Announcing Our New Look
Each new season brings with it change and a chance to regroup, refresh, and renew. Here at VP Dental we are doing this as well and are excited to roll out some of our new branding efforts. When you walk into our office, you’ll receive a warm friendly smile of welcome just like you always have, but you’ll notice a few differences here and there as well.
Dental Tips to Survive the Holidays
There is no place like home as you celebrate the holiday season with your family. It is the time when people are busy attending parties and reunions, preparing festive meals, go shopping and gift-giving, and spending quality time with friends and loved-ones.
Dental Health Resolutions to Try for the New Year
Whatever methods you choose to employ for healthier teeth and gums this New Year’s, keep in mind that a visit to your dentist may be the most important step of all. Only your dentist can pinpoint a problem in its early stage and can effectively come up with a treatment that is best for you. Make it a habit to visit your dental practitioner at least twice a year in order to reach your optimal dental health.
Tips in Selecting the Right Dentist
In maintaining overall health, dental care is a necessity. Unable to remedy simple oral issues can progress to several dental diseases and can be costly in the long run. Most dental concerns can be prevented by visiting the dentist twice a year. With proper dental health education, oral examinations, and following disease preventive measures, the patient’s dental problems can be addressed.