Dr. Chavala Harris provides general dentistry in her Durham, NC, dentist office, 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 help prevent further dental problems. General dentistry focuses on disease prevention so 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 Durham family dentist who works with patients to identify 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.
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.
Why is preventative dental care important?
Preventative care is the foundation of good oral health. It stops serious dental problems before they start. At home, brushing and flossing twice daily removes plaque and bacteria that cause cavities and gum disease. However, home care isn’t enough.
Regular dental visits let us clean hard-to-reach areas your toothbrush can’t access. During checkups, Dr. Harris uses specialized tools and training to catch problems like gum disease and oral cancer early, when they’re easiest and least expensive to treat. Preventative care protects both your smile and your wallet.
How is my diet linked to my oral health?
Your diet directly affects your teeth. Sugars and acids are the biggest threats. Sugar attracts bacteria that produce acid, which wears away tooth enamel and causes cavities. Even starches break down into sugars, so limit salty snacks too. Fibrous fruits and vegetables are excellent for your teeth. They increase saliva production, which washes away bacteria and neutralizes acids.
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 can perform a root canal. Many general dentists are trained to diagnose infected or damaged teeth and provide root canal treatment in their office. They use special tools to remove the infected tissue, clean the inside of the tooth, and seal it to prevent future problems. If you have a complicated case, we may refer you to an endodontist.
How painful is a tooth extraction?
Tooth extractions are typically not painful. The level of pain also depends on the location of the tooth. Generally, teeth in the back of the mouth are harder to remove and can cause more pain than those in the front. We’ll numb the treated area so you won’t feel any pain if we need to remove a tooth or teeth.
Contact Our Dental Office
Get 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, and they’ll be happy to help you. We’re proud to serve patients from Trinity Park, Hope Valley, and Archer Woods.