Dr. Chavala Harris provides general dentistry in Durham, NC, to help you maintain your natural smile. She treats patients of all ages at Oak Grove Family & Cosmetic Dentistry. As a dental service, general dentistry can be used to prevent further dental problems. General dentistry focuses on disease prevention so that you can enjoy a healthy smile.
For example, sports mouthguards prevent tooth damage or loss, while tooth extractions prevent impacted or infected teeth from affecting the rest of the smile. Our family dentistry services ensure that we are prepared to handle your smile at any stage of development. Emergency dentistry provides prompt care for immediate concerns.
General Dentistry in Durham, NC
General dental care preserves the smile’s look, feel, and function. Patients who require preventative dental care or immediate treatment for their concerns benefit from our general services:
Custom Sports Mouthguard
If you or your child plays contact sports, you must wear a sports mouthguard to protect your teeth, gums, and jaw from injury. Because our sports mouthguards offer a custom fit, patients do not need to clench their jaws to keep their mouthguards in place.
Comparatively, over-the-counter mouthguards do not conform to the teeth and can fall out easily. To learn more about how a custom mouthguard can better protect your smile, see Custom Mouthguard.
Emergency Dentistry
Dental trauma, broken dental restorations, and lost teeth are dental emergencies that can be treated in our Durham dental office. If you have just lost a tooth or broken a dental restoration, contact our office so we can schedule an appointment. Emergency dental care helps prevent further oral health complications. To learn more about what to do in a dental emergency and how we can help, see Emergency Dentistry.
Family Dentistry
Are you looking for a dentist who can treat every family member under one roof? Dr. Harris is a family dentist who works with patients as individuals to find the best treatments for their dental needs. She helps teach parents and children the best treatment methods for teeth and gums. She also makes scheduling appointments easy by allowing you to schedule your family’s appointments simultaneously or back to back. To learn more about our family dentistry services, see Family Dentistry.
Tooth Extraction
If you have an infected or impacted tooth, it may need to be removed for the health of the remaining teeth and gums. We make sure that tooth extraction treatments are comfortable for our patients. In patients’ late teenage years, we extract wisdom teeth before they come in or if they are impacted. To learn more about the tooth extraction process, see Tooth Extraction.
The Importance of Preventative Care
Preventative care is the foundation of your oral health. It focuses on maintaining your oral health to prevent severe dental problems from developing. Preventative care takes place both at home and in our dental office. Plaque and tartar buildup on your teeth cause most oral health problems. Bacteria and food debris build up on the teeth, causing the sticky film of plaque. If you continue to avoid things like brushing your teeth, the plaque hardens into tartar, making it harder to remove.
Brushing and flossing at home help prevent plaque from building up on teeth. They also remove bacteria and food particles that occur after eating. You should brush and floss at least twice daily, but if possible, after every meal. We can also recommend products and give dietary advice to keep your teeth healthy. Fibrous fruits and vegetables help increase saliva production and wash away bacteria.
But you can’t just participate in the home form of oral healthcare. It’s essential to come to the dentist office regularly as well. Especially if your teeth are crooked or cramped, there are certain areas that you won’t be able to clean with a normal toothbrush and toothpaste. Our specialized dental tools can get into these harder-to-reach areas. We can also provide fluoride treatments and dental sealants to help protect younger children’s teeth, as they’re more prone to cavities.
We also perform a thorough exam when you’re here. Serious oral health problems like gum disease and oral cancer have early warning signs that aren’t that noticeable. Since they aren’t painful, many people brush them aside. However, we have training and diagnostic tools to catch oral health problems in their earliest stages. This helps you avoid more intensive procedures and their price tag.
Diet and Oral Health
Diet and oral health are completely connected. What we consume directly impacts our teeth. The biggest enemies are acids and sugars. Acid wears away the protective enamel layer on the outside of the tooth, making it easier for bacteria to get into the deeper layers. Sugar attracts bacteria, which feed on it and then release an acidic byproduct that eats away at the enamel. Even foods like starches and complex carbs break down into sugars, so salty snacks like those should be limited, too.
Fibrous fruits and vegetables are some of the best things you can eat for your teeth. They require a lot of chewing to break down, increasing saliva production. Saliva is important to wash away bacteria and food debris from your teeth. It also helps to neutralize the acids in your mouth. These foods also contain vitamins and minerals essential for your teeth’s health and surrounding structures.
Calcium and phosphorus are two important things for your oral health. Both are essential for maintaining strong teeth and bones. These minerals also help neutralize acids in your mouth and remineralize your tooth enamel. Cheese, in particular, increases the pH in your mouth, reducing the risk of tooth decay. Milk and yogurt are other good sources of these nutrients.
It’s important not only what we eat but also when we eat. Frequent snacking and eating throughout the day put you at a higher risk for tooth decay. You’re constantly introducing more acids or sugars, with no breaks in between for saliva to help clean the mouth and neutralize acids. Limit snacking between meals and stick to healthier snacks when you do.
General Dental FAQs
Do you have further questions about our general dentistry services? Continue reading to learn more about general dental treatments and find answers to commonly asked questions in our office.
When should I replace my sports mouthguard?
If you notice a change in the fit of your mouthguard or if your child is losing baby teeth, you may need a new mouthguard. We often recommend that patients replace their sports mouthguards every season or whenever there is a change in the bite.
Do I need to have my dentist extract my wisdom teeth?
Not every patient needs extraction treatment for their wisdom teeth. Our team will use x-rays to monitor your wisdom teeth. If they seem to be damaging your molars, we will schedule an extraction. Wisdom teeth can become impacted and cause tooth pain and sensitivity.
Can a general dentist do pediatric dentistry?
A general dentist can do pediatric dentistry, but may not have as much experience or training as a pediatric dentist. A pediatric dentist has specialized training in caring for the teeth of infants, children, and adolescents.
What does general dentistry include?
General dentistry is the branch of dentistry that focuses on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of oral diseases and conditions. It includes a variety of procedures, such as teeth cleanings, fillings, crowns, bridges, and more.
Can a general dentist do a root canal?
Yes, a general dentist is capable of treating a root canal. However, if your dentist feels that the root canal is too complex, they may refer you to an endodontist.
How painful is a tooth extraction?
Tooth extractions are typically not painful. However, the pain of a tooth extraction depends on the individual. Some patients report only minor discomfort, while others experience more significant discomfort. The level of pain also depends on the location of the tooth. Generally, teeth in the back of the mouth are more difficult to remove and can cause more pain than those in the front.
Contact Our Dental Office
Receive general dental care in our Durham, North Carolina dental office. Schedule a dental consultation with Dr. Chavala Harris online. You can also call Oak Grove Family & Cosmetic Dentistry at 919-899-4467. Let our dental team know if you have any remaining questions or concerns; they will be happy to help you.