Philip A. Lisk Blog

The majority of Americans agree: your smile is your most important physical feature, but did you know that more than 75% of adults have had at least one cavity in their lifetime? And, did you know that half of all Americans suffer from some form of gum disease? With statistics like these, it’s easy to see why taking care of your teeth should be a priority. To help you make the most of your trademark grin, Dr. Philp A. Lisk, your trusted North Raleigh dentist, shares his tips on how to improve your oral hygiene in between visits.

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Gum disease doesn’t just affect patients that have bad oral hygiene. It is easy to get gum disease no matter what age or habits you have. There are many contributing factors to gum disease, even your genetic makeup. Patients that practice good oral hygiene at home and visit their dentist may still end up with gum disease. Luckily, Dr. Lisk offers gum disease treatment in North Raleigh that can help your teeth and gums recover.

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You grind your teeth when you sleep.  Your North Raleigh dentist would formally call your condition Bruxism. It took a while to figure this out because your symptoms weren’t as prevalent as other patients. You didn’t suffer from headaches, your partner never complained about awful grinding noises while they slept next to you, and your jaw wasn’t ever too sore when you woke up. Your symptoms were a bit subtler from the abnormal amount of stress you’re taking on at work, but still no less problematic to your health in the long run. Thankfully, Dr. Philip A. Lisk can provide valuable support and protection from your teeth grinding habit with a customized oral appliance known as a nightguard. Our goal is to get you back to enjoying strong, healthy teeth as soon as possible.

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Each year, over 40,000 people are diagnosed with oral cancer. While smoking and tobacco use is by far the biggest cause for this often fatal disease, there are other things that can put you at risk. Hormonal changes, the aging process, and being exposed to certain viruses can also contribute to the development of cancers of the mouth and throat. Because these diseases are increasingly more common, but are highly treatable in the early stages, Dr. Philip A. Lisk recommends having an oral cancer screening done at every checkup to ensure that your dental health is safe. Read more on how these simple exams can help save lives.

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Dental crowns, bridges, prosthetic whats? It’s not easy to keep your options in restorative dentistry straight. You know dental crowns repair or replace missing teeth, but what’s the difference between that and a bridge? Your dentist explains bridges and dental crowns in North Raleigh in this week’s blog post. Keep reading for more from Dr. Philip A. Lisk!

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You wake up in your chair and look up at your co-worker’s concerned face. This is the third time today that they’ve spotted you napping at your desk. You don’t have a good excuse because you don’t have one at all. You went to bed at a reasonable hour, but when you woke up, it felt like you had been up all night. What could be causing this? This is actually a common symptom of sleep apnea, a condition that affects about 20 million Americans every night. Dr. Philip Lisk wants you to know why it’s so important for you to find out if you have sleep apnea, and how it can be treated. (more…)

Improving and maintaining your health takes many small steps, not large ones. If you want to lose weight, you cut out a few calories each day, not an entire meal. When you want to get in shape, you work out for about 30 minutes a few times a week, as opposed to 3 hours every day. The same concept actually works very well for your teeth, too. A few daily habits can make all the difference when it comes to your smile. Your dentist in North Raleigh, Dr. Philip Lisk, has 4 simple tips to keep your teeth looking great between dental visits. (more…)

You decide that your house needs a new coat of paint. It’s a great house that you’ve carefully taken care of, but the outside doesn’t reflect that. What do you do? Do you go to the hardware store, find your favorite color, and instantly bust out the roller? Of course not. You want a professional to take care of it so you know that you will get the best result. If you’re going to have to look at it every day, it should be perfect. The same could be said for making your smile more beautiful. While many dentists in the area offer cosmetic services, not all of them have the training and experience you need. There are a few key things you should look for when choosing a cosmetic dentist in North Raleigh.  (more…)