Essex Family Dental – BLOG

Brushing and flossing are the basics of good oral hygiene, but there’s more to a healthy smile. Keeping your mouth less acidic, which will protect your tooth enamel and decrease tooth decay will go a long way to help your mouth stay healthy and reduce your need for dental care. Keeping your pH balanced is the way to go. What is the pH scale? There are two terms you need [...]

With the increase in stress from lock-downs, unemployment, social media controversy and many other stressors, bruxism increased by 59% as of last year, according to American Dental Association. Dentists are still seeing the results of closed dental practices and decreases in dental visits when the practices were opened. What is Bruxism Bruxism is tooth grinding or clenching, which puts a lot of pressure on your teeth and if your teeth [...]

School has begun. Autumn is starting. Pumpkin spice is sprouting up everywhere. And along with all that comes sports, specifically football and basketball in the fall and winter months. If your child loves sports and will be participating in either a town, city or school team, there will be plenty of chances for injuries. To prevent injuries, we highly recommend that you get a mouthguard. You can save thousands of [...]

You’re eating right, exercising, getting rest, all those good things that help keep you in the best of health. Have you added smiling to your health regimen? The old saying “Laughter is the best medicine” is not too far from the truth. Scientists are finding this to be true, as they study the effects that even a fake smile can have on people, both psychologically as well as physically. [...]

Restorative dentistry is the branch of dentistry which covers all areas of dental restoration; including preserving dental structures, repairing broken or damaged teeth, and replacing damaged or missing teeth. The procedures used can range from small repairs such as fillings or sealing cavities, to bridges and crowns, fully replacing one or more teeth with implants – and everything in between. Restorative dentistry returns to the patient the full use [...]

Canker Sores: Causes and Treatment Canker sores are small shallow ulcer or lesion that can develop on the inside of your lips, soft areas inside your mouth or at the base of your gums. Unlike cold sores, canker sores are not contagious and don’t present themselves on the surface of your lips. However, getting a canker sore can be cause for many days of pain or discomfort and distraction. [...]

When you think of dentures, do you picture George Washington’s teeth or the cartoon dentures shown in glasses of water? Modern dentures have come a long way from those early versions. Today, there is a range of dental options available for individuals of all ages who need durable, aesthetically pleasing false teeth. Denture types include full dentures to enable chewing and speaking, hybrid sets for individual missing teeth, and a range [...]

Teeth grinding is a more common problem than you might think. According to the American Dental Association, up to 15% of adults grind their teeth during their sleep—meaning they often wake up with a seemingly inexplicable headache, toothache, or sore jaw. Also called sleep bruxism, nighttime teeth-grinding can affect children as well. The condition is somewhat difficult to treat; sufferers don’t exert conscious control over the habit. To counter [...]

In the past, if you wanted to straighten your teeth, there was only one choice available – traditional, wired-in, metal braces. However, orthodontics has evolved significantly over the years. Now, patients can choose from a variety of teeth-straightening options, selecting the one that suits their particular needs. Of all the choices patients have, one of the most popular is Invisalign. Benefits of Invisalign Treatment  Invisalign is not the right choice [...]

Halloween is just around the corner.  It’s a time for spooky movies, fun, scary decorations, wild costumes, and plenty of sugary, tasty treats. As we all prepare for this classic Fall holiday, we thought we’d offer a few tips on how our patients can make Halloween as healthy and safe for their teeth as possible. Tastes Good but Bad for Our Teeth Most of us know what our favorite [...]