FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions – VP Dental in Raleigh, NC

Welcome to VP Dental’s FAQs page!  Your oral health condition greatly affects your general health. Yet, many people don’t visit the dentist as frequently as they should. One reason is a lack of proper dental knowledge.
That’s why we compiled our patients’ dental FAQs in Raleigh, NC, and our responses to provide you with the information you need about oral health and our dental care services at VP Dental. Please contact us if you can’t find the information you are looking for.

Dentist in a white coat talking to a smiling patient in a dental chair

Answers to Common Dental Queries

Dentistry like what we offer at our practice in Raleigh is the treatment and prevention of disorders and diseases of a patient’s teeth, gums, mouth, and jaw. Dentistry performed properly is necessary for complete oral health and it has a significant impact on the health of a patient’s entire body.

A dentist is a specialist who has been trained to diagnose, treat, and prevent oral health problems. Dr. Preston has completed many years of dental schooling in order to practice dentistry. After schooling, a dentist can receive either a DDS or DMD degree. DDS stands for Doctor of Dental Surgery, and DMD stands for Doctor of Dental Medicine. 

Some doctors specialize in pediatric dentistry as well, which means that he or she works with children from infancy up through teenage years. There are other specializations that a dentist may go to school for:

  • Oral and maxillofacial (includes pathology, radiology, and surgery)
  • Orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics
  • Endodontics (specialization in root canals)
  • Periodontics (specialization in gum disease)
  • Prosthodontics (specialization in dental implants)

Here at VP Dental, we know how busy life can be. Fitting a dental appointment into your busy schedule seems to be one of the most difficult things you have to do. Proper oral hygiene is difficult to maintain. Brushing for two minutes twice a day and flossing after every meal will keep many oral hygiene problems away, but not all. Scheduling a cleaning at VP Dental twice a year is highly recommended to maintain proper oral hygiene and catch problems before they become costly and painful.

It’s very important to schedule regular cleanings here at VP Dental. Dr. Preston recommends seeing you twice a year. There are many problems with can exist without knowing. Not only can we identify problems before they become painful and expensive but we can also help to keep your smile looking fantastic. We know how important it is to feel comfortable with your smile. This is why we offer many treatments to help improve patient aesthetics.

Sixth-month cleanings are recommended for proper oral hygiene. At VP Dental an appointment will include a full oral examination, oral cancer exam, professional x-rays to catch cavities, and a full cleaning by our amazing hygienists. Your cleaning will remove tartar, debris, and plaque from your mouth.

Dr. Preston will coordinate with your hygienist and recommend a treatment plan for any problems that are found. We’ll also recommend any aesthetic and cosmetic treatments to improve your smile.

Please call our office at (919) 518-0540 to schedule an appointment or for any additional questions.

Recommendations by professionals throughout the dental industry as well as the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) are as early as six months of age. This is when a child’s teeth begin to show. Dr. Preston will be able to examine the health of your child’s first few teeth and make recommendations.

Dr. Preston recommends changing the head of your toothbrush at least every three months. If you’re using an electronic toothbrush, check the recommendation for the type of toothbrush you use because you may not have to change the head often.

If a patient has gum disease Dr. Preston recommends that you change your brush more often than every three months. Also, after brushing it’s very important to wash and rinse your brush out with hot water. This will kill germs and bacteria and keep your toothbrush clean.

Gum disease is also called periodontal disease. Plaque and bacteria build up in a patient’s mouth. When this build-up is not treated in the early stages it can cause gum disease. Periodontal disease can also be caused by smoking and chewing tobacco, teeth grinding, certain medications, and genetics.

Advanced forms of periodontal disease can cause bone and tooth loss as well as permanent damage. Dr. Preston recommends that brushing and flossing every day as well as scheduling dental appointments every six months is the best way to fight gum disease. Some of the most common signs of periodontal disease are the following:

  • Abscessed teeth
  • Extreme tooth sensitivity
  • Chronic bad breath
  • Loose teeth and or loss of teeth
  • Red, swollen, or bleeding gums
  • Receding gum line

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms please call us as soon as possible. You can reach us at (919) 518-0540 or email us to schedule a consultation. Your dental health is our highest concern.

Do you wish you had a bright, healthy smile? Visit VP Dental in Raleigh, North Carolina, to make that dream a reality. Call us at (919) 518-0540 today to learn more about how our experienced dental team and high-quality dental services can improve your smile and oral health!