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. With the help of a good dentist, you can keep...
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. At VP Dental in Raleigh, North Carolina, Dr. Valerie M. Preston offers several...
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. Here are...
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? Having clear aligners also means...
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...
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. Are your teeth looking a little worse for wear as...
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. At VPreston Dental, Dr. Valerie Preston...
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...
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. Those who suffer from diabetes either do not produce insulin, or their bodies can’t use insulin...
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. Ensuring each tooth following these integral proportions...
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...
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. Veneers can improve the cosmetic appearance of...
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. What is...
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. How...
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....
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. Your...
Essential oils have many uses, from skincare to household cleaning. Essential oils can also be integrated into your dental hygiene habits to improve your overall dental health. Holistic dentists will often recommend essential oils to their patients for their dental needs. With a multi-faceted approach to dental care, these oils can...
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...
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. If you want a brilliant white smile you may be tempted to try DIY teeth...
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. Not only does green...
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...
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. If you’re searching for a dentist...
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. Gum Disease Leads to...
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...
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...
Dental health is one of the most important aspects of your total wellness and what better time to focus on its improvement than the New Year? It’s the perfect time to come up with resolutions for taking better care of your health. For some people, this may include brushing their...
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...
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. When it comes to oral health, dental hygiene...
