Ignore the television show that sullied the name of the Jersey Shore. For decades, residents and visitors alike have known the truth that MTV didn’t show, namely that the Jersey Shore is a vibrant, family-friendly place with beautiful beaches, lovely homes, and good people.
No wonder visiting towns like Barnegat, Manahawkin, Long Beach Island, and others is so popular each summer.
When planning a vacation at the Jersey Shore, these are a few of the communities you should be sure to consider when deciding to take a weekend, week, or even a whole month away with the family.
Lavallette – The small ocean and bay community of Lavallette is a popular place for families thanks to its protected beaches, playgrounds, tennis courts, bike paths, and docks for fishing and crabbing. It has many small shops run by local residents, as well as waterfront property along the ocean and the bay. It even has a boardwalk for walking, jogging, or just taking a deep breath of the clean salt air without the hustle and bustle of resort town amusements.
Point Pleasant Beach – This is a community that manages to walk the fine line between a vibrant, active resort community and a quiet, peaceful ocean town. Point Pleasant Beach offers the architectural charm of past eras as well as the appeal of great dining and excellent shopping. The residential neighborhoods are quiet, but the downtown is bustling. So, too, is the boardwalk, which boasts the area’s only aquarium. There are also rides, games, places to see live music, and more at the boardwalk, which is located alongside a gorgeous inlet area filled with boating activity.
Long Beach Island – Located nearby communities like Forked River/Lacey, Manahawkin, and Barnegat, Long Beach Island is a popular destination that boasts a little of everything: great shops and places to eat, an exciting night life, quiet bungalows on the beach, sprawling waterfront homes, amusements, live music, boating and fishing, and a lot more. Our offices are in Barnegat, so we know Long Beach Island quite well, and we love it!
Belmar – Like Point Pleasant Beach, Belmar offers both quiet shore living along with attractions that will appeal to younger visitors. Old neighborhoods with cozy coastal homes are just blocks away from some of the Jersey Shore’s most active and popular nightclubs. Couple that with some of the best fishing on the East Coast, a vibrant boating community, and a downtown that is a throwback to communities of yesteryear and it’s easy to see why people flock to Belmar each year.
Seaside Park – Seaside Heights is the more famous community thanks to its sprawling boardwalk, landmark attractions and that awful MTV show, making neighboring Seaside Park the better choice for families looking for a getaway. The famous boardwalk is just an easy walk away through sandy dunes covered in dune grass, while the community itself is safe, snug, and secure in its own quiet little corner of the world. Many people retire to Seaside Park for just this reason.
The astounding thing about the Jersey Shore is that these five communities only just begin to scratch the surface of all the region has to offer. No wonder it is such a popular destination!
et’s face it, the Hollywood crowd is more concerned with their appearance than the average American – and no wonder, since their appearance is such a huge part of how they make a living.
Talk to a dentist in Ocean County, in fact, and you’ll come to find that far more famous faces than you realize have been transformed thanks to the miracle of modern cosmetic dental procedures.
The names vary. Some are mega stars. Some are not. Some are household names. Some are cult favorites. Some are beautiful people. Some look like you and me. But all of them have benefited from cosmetic dental work. Here are just a few examples:
Tom Cruise – One of the most famous faces in cinema has been helped by cosmetic dental work. Cruise’s teeth were in bad shape throughout his early career. Over the years he has undergone a number of procedures, including alignment, whitening, and possibly dental implants, to get the billion dollar smile he has today.
Ed Helms – You know him as the toothless goofball from The Hangover. Well guess what? His missing tooth was not a product of special effects or makeup. Helms has had dental implants for over 20 years, and had his implant temporarily removed for the film!
Morgan Freeman – Morgan Freeman may have one of the most famous voices in Hollywood, but this legendary actor’s soothing tones probably weren’t helped by his crooked, gapped teeth. It’s not clear if Freeman got dental implants, but it’s more than evident he had extensive work done earlier in his career, giving him the smile he has today.
Miley Cyrus – This young starlet didn’t get extensive work done on her teeth, but what work she did have done ended up having a dramatic effect on her appearance. A simple straightening and whitening transformed her from an awkward teen to the provocative star she is today.
James Cosmo – You’ve seen his grim visage in movies like Braveheart and The Chronicles of Narnia, but these days he’s probably best known as Jeor Mormont from Game of Thrones. Cosmo once wore dentures following an auto accident, but opted to switch to dental implants after finding out about their benefits.
Gary Busey – One of the most interesting men in Hollywood, Busey had a motorcycle accident in 1988 that left his already unique teeth a wreck. Thanks to a dentist near Forked River – Busey has never revealed where he got the work done – he was able to recover from the accident while retaining his distinctive look.
And the list is far longer than this. We could spend many pages listing them all.
This is no source of shame for these performers. Quite the opposite. We love these people in part because we love how they look. Regular, ordinary people seek out dental implants in Ocean County for the same reason. Because the confidence, pride and self-esteem boost that comes with looking and feeling your best can lead to success in life.
And success in life is never something to be ashamed about.
If you’re like many Americans, you’ll invent any old to avoid seeing your dentist in Ocean County. You might expect we’d be insulted, but we’re used to it.
But the truth is, there are some days when a dentist visit is a must, whether you like it or not. If you begin to experience any of the following, it’s time to schedule an appointment. It will help you avoid some bad times down the road!
You Have Chronic Bad Breath
Bad breath is not uncommon. Everyone gets it now and then. A normal bout of bad breath is nothing to worry about. Chronic bad breath, however, is an indication of deeper problems that need to be addressed. It may be gum disease, which you’ll want to address with early treatment. It may also be a sign of more serious issues. If you have chronic bad breath, it’s a good idea to have your dentist take a look so serious problems can be treated sooner rather than later.
You Have A Cracked or Chipped Tooth
Cracked and chipped teeth are also very common. Thankfully, modern cosmetic dentistry is effective and affordable, and you will have many options available to you to repair the damage. Take note that left unaddressed, issues like this can become more than just a cosmetic issue. Cracked teeth can cause ongoing pain and can lead to infections that could put your other teeth in danger. Even if the look of your cracked teeth doesn’t bother you, you should have your Ocean County dentist examine them to be sure you are in no danger of suffering from other issues as a result of your injury
You Have A Toothache
A toothache is nothing to ignore. The pain from a toothache is telling you that something is wrong. You may think you can tolerate the pain or endure it, but letting a toothache go unaddressed is asking for worse problems down the road. Whatever the cause of your toothache, the condition could continue to decline. In a worst case scenario, you may even end up losing the tooth. It’s preferable to address it early, when there’s a good chance the issue can be fixed with minimal hassle.
You Suffer From Jaw Pain
Jaw pain can come from toothaches, sinus infections, and other sources. If you are feeling constant jaw pain, have it looked at by your dentist near Forked River to determine the cause of the problem. As with any issue you are having, the key to avoiding serious issues is to catch them early.
You Suffer From Bleeding Gums
If you suffer from bleeding gums during or after brushing, you may have an issue that needs addressing – but you also may not! In many cases, bleeding gums are simply caused by nothing more serious than improper brushing techniques. That is simple to fix. In other cases, though, bleeding gums may be a sign of gingivitis or another underlying issues. As with all such complications, addressing them early gives you the best chance of avoiding more serious issues in the future.
Good luck, and happy brushing!
Want to find the perfect place to eat at the shore but don’t know how to start looking? How do you determine what is and is not a great restaurant? Here’s what we look for:
1) Their Specialty
Tastes vary, so there is no right answer here except what you prefer. If you are looking for a restaurant in our area, you’ll be able to choose from Italian, German, Indian, Mexican, traditional American fare, and many others – and of course the shore’s specialty, seafood. Get a sense for what your chosen establishment specializes in and you’ll be well on your way to choosing the best.
2) Their Location
Under normal circumstance, you’d drive anywhere for a great meal. That makes sense. After all, what does it matter where you are as long as you’re getting a great dining experience? But in the case of seeking out good fare at the Jersey Shore, obviously location matters. Are you somewhere where you’ll see the summer sun? Can you smell the salt air? Will you be lucky enough to have waters views while you eat? All of these are important part of the shore dining experience, so look for places in attractive locations when seeking out a a great new spot near Manahawkin or Forked River.
3) Their Atmosphere
Atmosphere is one of the most important parts of the dining experience. The type of atmosphere you prefer can vary, of course. There is no right answer here, either. You might want a refined, elegant experience. You might prefer lively and upbeat and fun. You might like casual and homey and friendly. What is important is that you have a good understanding of the kind of atmosphere you’re looking for, and that you look for a spot that suits your needs.
4) Their Prices
They say you can’t put a price on a good experience in Forked River or beyond, but that just isn’t true. In today’s economy, prices matter. What constitutes “expensive” is subjective, of course, so only you can be the judge of what is or is not too much. The important thing is to find an establishment that makes you feel as if your money was well spent. Did you walk away satisfied? Did you have an enjoyable night? Did you like the food? Would you return? If the answer to most or all of those questions was yes, the price was probably right.
5) Their Food
You might think it weird that we list this one last, but that’s only because finding the best restaurant in Barnegat, Manahawkin or other Southern Ocean County communities is about much more than just their food. Without a great atmosphere, good service, a great location and more, great food is only half the experience. That said, you DO want great food, so when all is said and done you’ve got to take this into consideration, too.
Good luck in your hunt!