The last time you caught a glimpse of your smile in the mirror, how did you feel about it? The sight of your teeth should make you feel good, not self-conscious. But so many of us aren’t content with our grins. And if you’re not wholly comfortable, you’re far more likely to cover up your teeth. Hiding your smiles and laughter from the world isolates you from others, and can make you come off as awkward or unfriendly.

Instead of limiting yourself, let your smile shine through.

The first step is working toward teeth that you truly love. What does your perfect smile look like? It’s time to start pondering potential changes. With a few tweaks, you could soon be the proud owner of a smile that gets you noticed – and that makes you feel like an entirely new person.

What Does Your Dream Smile Look Like?

In order to attain your ideal grin, you’ll first need to decide what you would like it to look like. This means spending some time getting up close and personal with your teeth. Try the following:

• Decide what it is that bothers you about your teeth – Why do you feel like your smile is something to hide? Whether it’s a chip, a stain, a crooked tooth, or something else entirely, pinpointing the frustration will allow you to someday repair it.
• Evaluate your smile objectively – When the world looks at your teeth, what does it see? Several studies have shown that people value attractive smiles, and lend them more weight than your other features when forming first impressions. If your smile is bright, straight, and full, then you have a better chance of making a positive impact.
• Look to others for inspiration – Which smiles do you admire? Take a look at your friends’ and family’s teeth, and identify the traits that you find appealing. You can even check out celebrity smiles to see which ones are your favorite. Build a blueprint that will guide your cosmetic treatment.

How Cosmetic Dentistry Achieves Aesthetic Goals

Cosmetic dentistry offers a wide range of treatments to patients seeking a new aesthetic beginning. Depending on your needs, you’ll be able to find an option that works.

Some of the most common cosmetic treatments include:

• Porcelain veneers – Thin shells of porcelain that cover the surfaces of your teeth to change their appearance
• Dental bonding – Tooth-colored composite that is bonded to your teeth to fix flaws
• Teeth whitening – Hydrogen peroxide gel that breaks up stains in your enamel
• Porcelain crowns – Tooth caps that fit over weakened natural teeth

If you’re missing a tooth and your smile requires rebuilding, we also offer dental implants. No matter the level of damage, there’s a dental solution.

Schenectady Cosmetic Dentist on Living Up to Your Potential

Your smile is a powerful tool. But when your teeth don’t look the way you would like them to, that same smile can actually become an obstacle. When hindered by teeth you’re ashamed of, you’re not as confident or as capable. You may hold back in social and professional situations, and try to stay away from the center of attention.

Now is the time to unleash your full potential. By choosing cosmetic treatment, you choose a new lease on life. A confidence boost is always welcome, and your new smile will offer that on a daily basis. If you’re interested in learning more about treatment options, get in touch with our office. We look forward to meeting you and helping you reshape your smile.

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If you’re conscious of your oral health, there are certain things you watch out for to anticipate impending problems. Oral pain and dark spots on the teeth are easy enough to notice. The danger is, not every dental problem comes with such a clear broadcast of symptoms.

The signs we’re discussing today may be secret to you, but you can increase your awareness of their weight. Once you’re up on the potentially serious diseases and disorders that could be behind seemingly benign signs, you’ll know when to call Dr. Scotto’s office. No matter the problem, if you catch it early on, you have a better chance of minimizing damage.

Do You Have a Cavity?

Cavities seem like the simplest dental problem to watch for – they’re accompanied by discomfort and darkening teeth, right? In reality, a cavity can go unfelt and unnoticed for months. For this reason, your best bet against tooth decay is maintaining regular dental exams. Most patients should visit the office every six months, although there are some factors that require more frequent appointments (like tobacco use or past periodontal disease).

While tooth pain is the most common sign of a cavity, other symptoms are slightly less obvious:

• Swelling in the gums near the offending tooth, which usually points to advanced decay / an abscess
• Persistent bad breath that doesn’t change with brushing and flossing
• Strange spots showing on the teeth, ranging in color from white to grey to black

Guarding Against Grinding

Chronic teeth grinding, or bruxism, is a rampant problem – but one that often goes undiagnosed. Why the lack of treatment? Because many patients don’t realize it’s happening. Most grinding takes place during sleep, so the grinder isn’t aware that their jaws are misbehaving.

Grinding can lead to a slew of issues, from broken dental work and chipped teeth to a receding gum line and even a jaw disorder. Be on the lookout for bruxism by watching for the following (usually in the morning, just after waking up):

• Sore teeth
• A fatigued jaw that’s hard to move
• Swollen gums
• Worn enamel on the bite surface (look for this on the tops of your teeth)
• Feeling tired during the day, even after what should have been a full night’s sleep
• Sensitive teeth that twinge when exposed to hot or cold
• Facial or ear pain
• Tight facial/jaw muscles
• Bites inside your cheeks

When A TMJ Disorder May Be Taking Hold

If your grinding continues unchecked, it could lead to a TMJ disorder. The TMJ is the temporomandibular joint, and is located on both sides of your face, just in front of and below your ears. This joint is delicate, and excessive jaw movement can result in damaged tissues and malfunctioning jaw muscles. If the TMJ disorder isn’t treated, your jaw can become painful and difficult to operate.

Signs of TMD (TMJ disorder) are similar to many signs of bruxism, but are usually more intense. If you’re feeling like your jaw isn’t working properly, you should contact our office to learn more about treatment. The discomfort and frustration of jaw problems shouldn’t be a part of your life.

Time to Visit Your Schenectady General Dentist?

If it’s been some time since your last appointment, don’t stress – just give us a call and schedule an exam. Nothing feels as good as the peace of mind you gain after getting a clean bill of health. And no matter how vigilant you are at home, there are still signs of problems that only x-rays and a professional eye will be able to identify.

Contact us today to get your next routine appointment on the books.

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