logo

(508) 583-0103

288 Belmont Street Brockton, MA 02301
New Patients & Emergencies Always Welcome!

Blog

    • SEPTEMBER 17, 2026
    • 0

    Why Did My Tooth Need a Root Canal After Getting a Crown?

    You finally did the responsible thing.

    That cracked, heavily filled, slightly suspicious tooth your dentist had been watching for the last three years finally got a crown.

    You survived the numbing. You survived the impression or digital scan. You survived several minutes of wondering where exactly you were supposed to put your tongue.

    Then, sometime after the crown preparation, the tooth starts hurting.

    And suddenly you hear two words nobody was hoping to hear:

    Root canal.

    At this point, a perfectly reasonable question is:

    “Wait a minute. It didn’t need a root canal before you worked on it. What happened?”

    The answer is usually a little more complicated than “the crown caused it.”

    The Tooth Was Probably Already Having a Rough Year

    Teeth that need crowns are rarely pristine, untouched specimens.

    They often have:

    • Very large fillings
    • Deep cavities
    • Cracks or fractures
    • Significant wear
    • Previous trauma
    • Repeated dental procedures
    • Sections of missing tooth structure

    In other words, these teeth have often been through some things.

    Think of the nerve inside the tooth — called the pulp — as an employee who has been working overtime for years.

    Large filling? More overtime.

    Deep cavity? Weekend shift.

    Cracked tooth? Emergency meeting.

    Now the tooth needs a crown, and the nerve is sitting there thinking:

    “I have given everything I have to this company.”

    Crown Preparation Can Be the Final Stressor

    To make room for a crown, the dentist must reshape the tooth.

    That means removing some tooth structure with a dental handpiece … Read the rest

    • APRIL 1, 2026
    • 0

    TikTok Taught You Wrong: 3 Viral Dental “Hacks” That Make Your Dentist Cringe

    We’ve all been there. It’s 11:00 PM, you’re spiraling down a social media rabbit hole, and suddenly an influencer is telling you that you can whiten your teeth using nothing but a lemon wedge and a prayer.

    At Massasoit Dental Associates, we love a good life hack as much as anyone (especially if it involves a faster way to get through the line at the Belmont Street Dunkin’). But when it comes to your pearly whites, some “viral” trends are doing more harm than good.

    Before you try that “natural” remedy you saw on your FYP, let’s talk about why your Brockton dentists want you to put down the DIY kit and step away from the charcoal.

    1. The Charcoal Toothpaste Craze (The “Magic Eraser” Effect)

    It looks cool in photos, and the idea of “detoxifying” your mouth sounds great in theory. But here’s the dirty truth: charcoal is highly abrasive. Using it every day is like cleaning your fine china with a piece of sandpaper.

    The Risk: It wears down your enamel—the protective outer layer of your teeth. Once that enamel is gone, it’s gone for good. You’ll end up with teeth that are more sensitive and, ironically, more yellow because the darker dentin underneath is now showing through. The Fix: If you want a brighter smile, let’s do it the safe way. Professional whitening is designed to lift stains without turning your enamel into a memory.

    2. DIY Whitening with Lemon and Baking Soda

    We call this … Read the rest

    • AUGUST 18, 2025
    • 0

    Deep Dental Cleaning vs Regular Cleaning: Why You Might Not Get a “Quick Polish” at Your Exam

    Picture this: you finally make it to your dental exam after a “brief” break since your last visit. (By brief, we mean somewhere between a little overdue and the dinosaurs still roamed when we last saw you.) You sit in the chair expecting the usual polish, shine, and “good job flossing” pep talk.

    But instead, your dentist says: “We’re going to need to schedule you for a deep cleaning.”

    Wait—what? No minty-fresh buffing? No smiling selfies with your sparkling teeth? What gives?

    Deep Dental Cleaning vs Regular Cleaning: What’s the Difference?

    A regular cleaning (prophylaxis) is like a routine car wash—it keeps things tidy, fresh, and prevents buildup when you’re coming in every 6 months.

    A deep dental cleaning (also called scaling and root planing) is more like a full detailing service after you’ve ignored your car for… oh, say, a couple years. Except instead of mud and coffee stains, we’re dealing with gum disease, tartar below the gumline, and bacteria that’s been having a party where your floss should’ve been.

    Why You Might Not Get a Regular Cleaning If You’re Overdue

    If you’re overdue for your dental exam, chances are your gums have been working overtime, and not in a good way. Signs like bleeding, inflammation, or tartar under the gumline mean your mouth isn’t ready for a simple “quick scrub.”

    Think of it like this: you wouldn’t slap fresh paint over a rusty car frame. First, you’d need to clear the rust. Similarly, before we can get … Read the rest

    • JULY 8, 2025
    • 0

    S’mores, Sunburns, and Second Molars: A Toothsome Summer Survival Guide

    Ah, summer. That magical time of year when sunscreen becomes your signature scent, you spend more on popsicles than gas, and your dentist gently reminds you that your teeth do not make good bottle openers.

    At Massasoit Dental Associates, we’re here to keep your smile bright, even when the sun is brighter. So grab your beach towel, slap on some SPF 50, and enjoy our summer-themed guide to keeping your chompers in tip-top shape while living your best flip-flop life.

    1. 🍦 Beware the Ice Cream Face-Off

    We know. There’s nothing more satisfying than a cold scoop of mint chocolate chip on a 90-degree day. But if your teeth scream louder than you do after stepping on a hot sidewalk barefoot, you might have a case of tooth sensitivity. That’s not just summer being dramatic—it’s your enamel waving a tiny white flag.

    Dentist tip: Use a sensitivity toothpaste and maybe don’t try to out-chomp your dog’s frozen peanut butter treat.

    2. 🏖️ Sand Between Your Toes, Not in Your Teeth

    Some summer snacks were made for the beach—watermelon, grapes, chips that mysteriously absorb 400% of the surrounding humidity. But let’s talk trail mix and popcorn husks. These little landmines love to wedge themselves just out of reach. You’ll spend the rest of your beach day flossing with a straw wrapper.

    Dentist tip: Pack some floss picks in your beach bag. You’ll thank us when you’re not digging out sunflower seed shells during your sunset selfie.

    3. 🍹 Skip

    … Read the rest

Map

© 2026 Massasoit Dental Associates