There’s a well-documented psychological phenomenon called the “spotlight effect.” The idea is that we hyperfixate on our flaws to such an extent that we think they’re more noticeable than they are. We feel like there’s a spotlight on us all the time. It’s natural; we know ourselves more intimately than anyone else does, so we’re more acutely aware of our problems than others.

Many people stay away from the dentist because they’re embarrassed by their teeth and think that they’ll be judged. This simply isn’t true. A good dentist just wants to facilitate your oral health. If you’re still nervous, here are a few reasons why you shouldn’t avoid the dentist out of shame.

Of the 35 million Americans who are missing all of their teeth, approximately 90% of them wear dentures. That said, despite the large number of patients who turn towards the prosthetics, they’re still greatly misunderstood—and unfortunately, there are many weird myths and falsehoods floating around about them. But despite what you’ve maybe heard, dentures are actually a pretty awesome solution for replacing missing teeth. Keep reading as your dentist in Greenfield debunks five of the most common myths about dentures.

If you have dental implants, then you’re probably pretty satisfied with what they’ve done for your smile. After all, they’re the premier option for replacing missing teeth, as they’re able to fully restore them in terms of look, feel, and functionality. But despite their capabilities, dental implants can still sometimes fail—and when this happens, your oral health is in jeopardy! Here’s more about what causes dental implants to fail and how your dentist in Greenfield can address the issue.

It can be difficult to complete daily tasks, like eating, speaking clearly, and smiling with confidence when you’re missing one or more teeth, but thanks to modern dental technology, you don’t need to let tooth loss take over your life. There are numerous tooth replacement options out there to choose from, like dental bridges. This restoration connects to the natural, healthy teeth on both sides of the missing tooth and fills in the gap with a replacement tooth. While this option is durable, it is still possible for failures to occur. Here are some reasons why this can happen and what you should do.

The human body is miraculous! If you get a paper cut or bruise yourself after bumping into the coffee table. Your body will repair itself within weeks or even days of the incident depending on the severity of the injury. Your body has the ability to fight off infections and restore its health. However, does this apply to teeth that have been damaged? If you have a chipped tooth, will it resolve itself? Here’s what you should know.

Crohn’s disease is a chronic inflammatory condition of the gastrointestinal tract; it belongs to a group of familiar disorders known as inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). However, what many people don’t realize is that these conditions don’t just affect your digestive tract; they can also impact your dental health! Keep reading to learn more from your dentist in Greenfield about this strange link along with some things you can do to keep your smile healthy if you suffer from Crohn’s disease.

Summer is now in full swing, and there’s nothing like an ice cream cone for staying cool in this hot weather! But if you experience tooth sensitivity upon biting into it, you might suddenly not feel so enthusiastic about finishing your frozen treat. But is this type of sensitivity considered a dental emergency? And does it warrant a trip to your emergency dentist? Keep reading to learn more about tooth sensitivity, what causes it, and what you can do to alleviate the discomfort it causes.

Urgent dental care tends to be disruptive, especially on summer vacations. At a time where you want to swim in the pool or tan by the beach, you’re forced to see your emergency dentist for treatment. It’s obvious that you’d rather avoid such a situation. Thankfully, your dentist can help you: Here’s a summary of three ways to prevent dental emergencies in Greenfield. Practice them this season so you’ll have genuine fun in the sun!

Imagine you wake up one morning and notice a small lump on your gum line. You’re likely to either underreact or overreact in that situation. You might think the lump is just a harmless swelling that’ll fade on its own. Conversely, you could conclude it’s cancerous or a sign of serious infection. But isn’t there a better way to name the bump than immediate, unthinking reactions?

The answer to that question is “yes.” Here are some probable causes for a bump on gums from Greenfield dentists. Read it over to give a measured treatment if you develop a gum bump in the future.

Dental emergencies can happen any time, any place, and usually when you least expect it. And when they do happen, they often require an emergency dental visit; but whether it’s a fractured or displaced tooth, a problems with your gums, or anything else causing you pain or discomfort, it’s nothing that your dentist can’t handle! If you find yourself dealing with a dental emergency, contact your dentist immediately—here’s what you can expect during the treatment process.