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“The purpose of all war is peace.” - Saint Augustine

Fire truck sirens, baton twirlers, marching bands covering patriotic tunes, colorful floats, costumes, and millions of red, white, and blue American flags being waved in the air on a beautiful day in late May, that is what Memorial Day is all about. It is a federal holiday celebrated with town parades, remembrance, and a sense of unity and community togetherness.

Our team at Robson Dentistry wants to take this time to wish you and your family a happy Memorial Day, as well as pause for a moment to reflect on what this holiday means and how it has changed over time. No, this is not a history lesson, but just a couple of thoughts and observances for you to take with you on your way to the next barbecue.

On the last Monday in May, America observes Memorial Day as a time to remember and celebrate the men and women who have lost their lives while serving our country in the Armed Forces. The holiday originated after the Civil War; at that time it was known as Decoration Day. While holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter remain the same from year to year, Memorial Day has changed over time, and in the 21st century we observe a far different holiday than what Americans did after the Civil War, or even the World Wars.

While many people place flags at cemeteries and visit national memorials in order to honor those who have passed away serving the country, Memorial Day is also a time for family barbecues, pool parties, trips to the beach, blockbuster movies, long weekend getaways, and fireworks. In America, Memorial Day has come to represent the unofficial start of the summer – a long, sunny, warm weekend devoted to family togetherness, outdoor events, and community.

It is time to load up the potato salad and the apple pie and head over to the neighbor’s house for their annual barbecue. And yes, contrary to popular belief, we do eat sweets, especially homemade apple pie! Everything in moderation, of course.

So whether you’re in the East Lyme, CT area or beyond, Happy Memorial Day to you and yours from Dr. James Robson!

If a sip of ice water, spoonful of ice cream, or piping hot latte is enough to send shivers up your spine from tooth sensitivity, be assured you are not alone. It’s estimated that as many as one in eight adults suffers from tooth sensitivity.

What causes sensitive teeth?

Some of the causes of tooth sensitivity include brushing too hard, a cracked tooth, receding gums, periodontal disease, tooth bleaching, or other conditions that expose the sensitive roots of your teeth. For example, brushing too aggressively can injure your gums, and lead to exposed roots and tooth sensitivity.

When the enamel on the outside of the tooth or tissue located between the teeth breaks down or wears away, nerves inside the tooth trigger sensitive teeth that are particularly noticeable when you drink or eat anything hot or cold.

How to alleviate tooth sensitivity

Fortunately, there are a number of things you can do, both at home and at the dental office, to reduce the discomfort of sensitive teeth. Brushing with desensitizing toothpaste is one of the ways to reduce tooth sensitivity: it works well for many patients, and is typically the first course of action.

• Brush with toothpaste specifically designed for sensitive teeth.
• Change the way you brush by using a soft toothbrush and not brushing too aggressively.
• Avoid brushing teeth after consuming acidic foods and beverages, like orange juice and pickles.
• Drink water or milk after eating or drinking acidic foods or beverages.
• Sip through a straw when you drink acidic beverages.
• Wear a mouthguard at night to prevent teeth grinding that wears down teeth.
• Ask Dr. James Robson about fluoride dental treatments or plastic resin.

For moderate-to-serious cases of tooth sensitivity, more invasive professional dental treatments are available. These include a bonding agent designed to seal/cover the exposed root, obtaining new gum tissue through graft (for receding gums), fillings, crowns, inlays, or bonding. When tooth sensitivity is persistent and results in hypersensitivity, endodontic treatment in the form of root canal may be recommended.

To learn more about tooth sensitivity, or to schedule an appointment with Dr. James Robson, please give us a call at our convenient East Lyme, CT office!

"Motherhood: All love begins and ends there." - Robert Browning

We would like to take this moment to thank all the great moms out there for being so great during their child’s visits to Robson Dentistry. Whether it’s driving their kids to regularly scheduled appointments or for “being there” while their child is treatment, the moms who come to our office are all stellar individuals, so Dr. James Robson and our entire staff would like you to know that we appreciate you all!

Happy Mother’s Day and enjoy your special day!

We’re proud to have adopted the Wand Single Tooth Anesthesia (STA) system. The Wand STA uses a computer interface to deliver anesthetic to a small area of your mouth. We can target only the tooth, nerves, or gums where you need dental care. The Wand STA system leaves the rest of your teeth, tongue, gums, and cheeks feeling normal.

The benefits for you: fewer uncomfortable side-effects from anesthesia, like drooling, mumbling, and loss of feeling in your cheeks. In addition, you’ll be able to eat and drink (and taste your meal!) soon after the procedure. You get all the benefits of anesthesia, though, including reduced pain and inflammation during a procedure.

The biggest benefit of the Wand STA system is its precision. Dr. James Robson can choose the area to target and how much anesthetic is needed. The computer-controlled Wand STA system helps control the amount of anesthetic so that only the targeted area is numbed. By providing a slow, steady stream of anesthetic, the system avoids causing the stinging sensation that can come with injections.

The Wand STA represents a big step forward in reducing the anxiety and pain associated with dental anesthesia. Many patients tell us the Wand STA injections were completely painless. In fact, it’s not unusual for a patient to ask when the process will start – even though it has already begun!

On top of that, since the Wand STA system delivers the anesthetic agent to a precise area, there’s no more waiting in the dentist chair for the numbness to set in.

The Wand STA can help patients with dental anxiety, too. For some, the thought of a needle entering the mouth causes great discomfort. If that describes you, rest assured that the Wand STA provides a non-threatening and more comfortable experience at our East Lyme, CT office.