Preventive Dentistry – North Raleigh, NC
Protect Your Smile
from Cavities
General dentistry covers a wide range of procedures to create optimal oral health. North Raleigh general dentist Dr. Philip Lisk offers a complete range of therapies for the whole family including initial consultation, diagnostics, and treatments. Our first step is to determine your state of oral health, then to deliver a customized treatment plan based on our evaluation.
Prevention is the cornerstone of our North Raleigh general dentistry practice. We take extra precaution to provide preventive measures that help patients keep their natural teeth for a lifetime. In addition to routine hygiene, our caring general dentistry team provides individualized oral hygiene instruction that includes proper brushing and flossing techniques. Fluoride treatments strengthen tooth enamel and help prevent decay. Dental sealants, ultra-thin plastic coatings for molars, protect cavity prone areas in children’s teeth. Dr. Lisk may also recommend that you wear an athletic mouthguard to help prevent sports injuries to the teeth. Nightguards, pediatric care, sleep apnea treatment, and more are also available.
Why Choose Dr. Philip A. Lisk for Preventive Dentistry?
- Team That Forms Relationships with Patients
- Welcoming Office That Helps Patients Relax
- Advanced, Reliable Oral Cancer Screenings
Dental Checkups & Cleanings
Everyone should attend at least two dental appointments a year with a trusted team. Dental problems have a tendency to develop in subtle ways or in areas that are hidden to patients, and these crucial visits make all the difference in keeping your smile both feeling and looking great. Dr. Lisk will perform a thorough examination of each tooth, your gums, your bite, any existing restorations, and other important areas while keeping an eye out for even the smallest signs of decay or damage. Additionally, a teeth cleaning with one of our talented hygienists will get rid of dangerous plaque and tartar, leaving your mouth feeling refreshed.
Learn More About Dental Checkups & Cleanings
Oral Cancer Screenings
There are all kinds of organisms living in the mouth, and while most are non-threatening, some are a reason for concern. Our North Raleigh general dentistry office now has the ability to test for harmful organisms through a simple saliva test called Oral DNA. This advancement in general dentistry can give Dr. Lisk a leg up in determining your treatment, stopping problems before they start.
There are multiple uses for Oral DNA, including:
- We test for bacteria that are associated with treatment- resistant gum disease, which can lead to tooth loss and trigger a number of general health problems, including heart disease, stroke, memory loss, diabetic complications, and even low birth weight babies.
- We test to see if you have a genetic predisposition to gum disease. This gene would reveal that the tendency to contract the disease is higher, thus indicating a need for stronger preventive efforts. In the case of existing disease having the gene, this would indicate the need for an aggressive treatment and a well-defined maintenance path in order to control the progressive and destructive nature of gum disease.
- We can determine if high-risk HPV viruses are present orally. These viruses are a known cause for cancers of the mouth and throat. The number of people infected with HPV is growing rapidly and is becoming a source of concern. A simple saliva sample helps us detect HPV infection early, equipping us with an important tool in our effort to help you achieve and maintain health through general dentistry.
Contact our North Raleigh general dentistry practice to schedule your appointment, consultation, or second opinion visit. There’s no better time than today to take control of your dental health.
Fluoride Treatment
Did you know that enamel is the hardest substance made by the human body? It’s even stronger than bone, but unfortunately, that doesn’t make it invincible. For example, eating too many sugary or acidic foods can strip away its essential minerals, weakening it and increasing the risk of damage or decay.
Dr. Lisk can provide topical fluoride treatment to fortify the protective outer layer of your teeth and help prevent potential problems. Continue reading to learn more about this standard service and when it might be recommended!
What is Fluoride?
Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that can be found in different sources of water, such as creeks, lakes, and rain, and therefore also in different plants or vegetables that grow from the ground. It’s also sometimes added to dental products, like toothpaste or mouthwash, as well as included in some public sources of drinking water.
In large quantities, fluoride can cause stomach discomfort, indigestion, or dental fluorosis (darkening or mottling in the enamel). But rest assured, the only small, safe doses are included in dental products and drinking water to help prevent tooth decay.
How Does Fluoride Treatment Work?
Topical fluoride typically comes as a gel, foam, or varnish, which can be applied directly to your teeth, or placed into applicator trays that are then inserted over your arches. It’s usually left in place for a few minutes, then you’ll likely be asked not to eat or drink anything for about 30 to 60 minutes afterward. This gives the fluoride's active ingredients ample time to take full effect.
This treatment works by pulling essential minerals, such as calcium and phosphate, from your saliva and incorporating them into your enamel. This strengthens your teeth to resist cavities and other injuries and can sometimes halt or reverse early stages of tooth decay.
Who Benefits from Fluoride Treatment?
Although this service is often recommended for children to help protect and preserve their still-developing smile, so it often comes in fun, palatable flavors, it can also benefit adults. It may be included after a standard dental checkup and cleaning, but can also be used as a standalone service to help patients who:
- Have mobility challenges or other issues that make it difficult or impossible to keep up a consistent at-home dental hygiene routine.
- Have a medical condition, such as diabetes, that can increase the likelihood of sustaining certain kinds of dental damage.
- Have sensitivity or other concerns caused by weakened enamel.
If you’re unsure why we’ve suggested a topical fluoride treatment, our team is happy to provide more information so you feel confident moving forward!
Athletic Mouthguards/ Sportsguards
Sports are an excellent way to keep yourself in shape while also giving yourself a chance to have some fun. But you should never head out onto the field without making sure your smile is well-protected; after all, one wrong move and you could end up knocking out some of your teeth! After taking impressions of your teeth, Dr. Lisk can design a mouthguard fitted specifically for your unique smile so that it stays in place and gives you the best possible protection at all times.
Nightguards for Bruxism
Many people don’t even realize they’re grinding their teeth at night. They may occasionally notice that their jaws feel sore in the morning, but the underlying cause might not be identified until Dr. Lisk finds signs of excessive enamel wear during an examination. Once bruxism (nighttime teeth grinding) has been identified, steps can be taken to stop further damage. Specifically, we can design a nightguard for you to wear every night to act as a barrier between the upper and lower teeth.
Learn More About Nightguards for Bruxism
Children’s Dentistry
A baby’s first dental appointment should take place before their first birthday. Tooth decay is a very common childhood disease, and the earlier you act to protect your little one’s precious smile, the easier it will be to prevent long-term damage. Our friendly team will pull out all the stops to provide a warm, welcoming office environment that your child can feel comfortable in. And, if you have questions about thumb-sucking and other issues that could affect your child’s dental development, Dr. Lisk is here to help.