Many holiday traditions involve consuming alcoholic beverages. Before you drink, be aware of the effects of alcohol on your teeth, gums, and overall health. Alcohol acts as a diuretic. This means that it cues your body to release too much fluid, and you can get dehydrated. Dehydration can lead to headaches, reduced brain function, and irritability. Additionally, alcohol dries out... read more »
If the dental pulp in the root canal of a tooth becomes infected, our dentist may recommend a root canal to restore the health of your smile. Symptoms Sometimes, there will be no noticeable symptoms that a root canal is needed. Often, however, tooth pain will be present. This discomfort can range from mild to severe and may be worse... read more »
When should you go to the dentist? Most people think about heading to the dentist whenever they feel a toothache coming on, a cavity appears, or a tooth is injured or lost. However, emergencies and problems are not the only reasons to make an appointment at DeMercy Dental. In fact, seeing your dentist on a regular basis will give the... read more »
Many people don’t realize that their tooth enamel is the strongest material in their body. And while this is true, it is still not infallible. Tooth enamel can be weakened through acid in the mouth. Tooth enamel’s job is to protect the bonelike layer beneath it, called dentin. When acid in the mouth lingers on the teeth, it softens the... read more »
Cosmetic dentistry is all about getting you the smile you dream of. At DeMercy Dental, we offer many cosmetic dentistry procedures. We’ve put together this short overview of some of them to help you decide if cosmetic dentistry procedures could be right for you: -White dental fillings, sometimes referred to as tooth-colored fillings, are a very aesthetic way to repair... read more »
Whether you are thinking about pregnancy or already are, there are some critical pieces of information you will want to know about the link between pregnancy and oral health. Here are some questions and answers to illustrate: Q: What oral health problems might pregnancy cause? A: Like gestational diabetes, it somewhat common to contract gingivitis while pregnant. This is because... read more »
Dental bonding is a procedure which can help repair minor damage to a tooth. Let's say you have a cracked or chipped tooth, or a tooth which is has increased sensitivity teeth, you may benefit from a dental bonding treatment. This restorative process can even help with an irregularly shaped tooth. Dental bonding can treat tooth decay and close minor gaps between teeth. At... read more »
Even though dental fillings are not directly vulnerable to bacterial tooth decay the surround tooth enamel that bonds it in place could still be at risk. The passage of time and inconsistencies in your oral hygiene routine can shorten its lifespan. This is even more likely to occur if the dental filling in question is large. Discomfort or distress in... read more »
When a cavity goes without professional treatment at Dr. Jeff DeMercy and Dr. Amanda Kossick’s dental office, the area of tooth decay will inevitably spread. As time goes on it could lead to a severe infection in the root of the tooth or cause a dental fracture. The resulting pain and potential infection in the gums can be significant. To... read more »
If you want a strong and healthy smile, you need to take good care of your teeth and gums. Unfortunately, there are major dental issues in the world today that can destroy your oral health, like gum disease. This is why it’s best to do all you can to keep this disease at bay. To help you do so, Dr.... read more »