Root Canal Therapy in Chambersburg

You have probably heard of root canal therapy at some point in your life. Chances are, what you heard may have been something negative about root canal treatments. Unfortunately, root canal therapy has a bad reputation among the public and many people may be unaware of the benefits of root canal treatment. Your Chambersburg general and restorative dentist, Dr. Donnel McHenry explains.

Root Canal Facts

The root canal is actually a part of your tooth’s anatomy. Inside your tooth, there exists a natural cavity. This cavity houses the nerve endings and cellular material in your teeth. A healthy root canal is sealed from external particles and bacteria.

Diseased Root Canals

Many patients may associate a toothache with a cavity but the truth is that a toothache is often a symptom of a diseased root canal. When tooth decay is unaddressed early on, the decay may breach the root canal and infect the interior tissues. Traumatic injuries to the teeth may also expose the root canal to oral bacteria. Read more

Improve Your Oral Health by Drinking Water: Your Chambersburg Dentist Explains

How much water do you drink on a daily basis? To stay properly hydrated, you should drink 64 to 80 ounces of water each day. In light of National Drinking Water Week, Dr. Donnel McHenry and our team discuss the importance of water consumption and your oral health.

Tap Water vs. Bottled Water

Although bottled water tastes great, it does not contain adequate amounts of fluoride. Tap water is treated with fluoride to prevent tooth decay. In fact, the American Dental Association and other medical organizations in the United States have studied the effectiveness of fluoridated water for over 60 years. Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that is scientifically proven to strengthen tooth enamel which helps prevent cavities. Tooth enamel is a composed of strong minerals but daily exposure to acid can strip minerals away. Fluoride consumption helps replenish mineral loss in tooth enamel. We encourage our patients to regularly consume tap water for its fluoride content. Read more

Chambersburg Oral Hygiene Assessment

Are you taking care of your teeth and your oral health? At McHenry Dental we believe patient education is an important part of maintaining optimal oral health. Do you think your oral health practices are up to par? Take the short quiz below to test your knowledge!

Oral Hygiene Quiz

  1. You only need to brush your teeth once a day. True/False
  2. Flossing everyday helps prevent gum disease. True/False
  3. You only need to visit the dentist if you have a toothache. True/False
  4. Bleeding gums is a common symptom of periodontal disease. True/False
  5. Metal fillings cannot be replaced. True/False
  6. Teeth are living structures. True/False
  7. Whitening toothpastes only remove surface stains. True/False Read more