If you are considering cosmetic dentistry, you might not think you’re ready for cosmetic dentistry. So how do you know when it’s time to make the decision and get the cosmetic dentistry you’ve been considering? Here are five signs that it’s time for you to schedule a consultation with a Fort Atkinson cosmetic dentist at BKS dental.
You Are Reluctant to Smile, Eat, or Talk in Public
One of the big warning signs that you should get cosmetic dentistry is that the current state of your teeth is significantly impacting your life. One way it can impact your life is by making you reluctant to do anything that might expose your teeth. You might find yourself suppressing your smile or your laugh. Other times, you might avoid social gatherings that include eating. Perhaps you dodge conversations in close quarters where people will be able to see your teeth clearly.
If the appearance of your smile makes you reluctant to do things in public, it’s time to talk to a Fort Atkinson cosmetic dentist.
You Find Yourself Covering Your Mouth
You might not be avoiding public functions or gatherings, but your behavior is still changed by the appearance of your smile. Whenever you would expose your teeth in public, you find yourself covering your mouth. Either you keep your lips mostly closed, or you put your hand in front of your face to keep your teeth covered.
You might not even know you’re doing it. It’s become a reflexive action that happens without thinking. Instead, you only realize it when people comment on it, either directly or by mentioning that they can’t understand what you’re saying.
If you can’t do things in public without covering your mouth whenever you would expose your teeth, you should schedule a consultation with a Fort Atkinson cosmetic dentist.
People Think You’re Older
People aren’t usually going to tell you that your smile is unattractive. You might sometimes notice that people see your teeth and respond nonverbally. This could be part of the reason why you started avoiding public gatherings and/or covering your mouth when you do go out.
One thing people might tell you, though, is that they think you’re older. Very rarely will people say that explicitly. However, people your age might defer to you as if you’re older, attribute older ideas or attitudes to you or perhaps assume you were around for events or used technology that was before your time. Your teeth are one of the key signs that people use to gauge your apparent age. If people are thinking you’re older, your smile might be the reason why.
If you want to look your age or younger, a Fort Atkinson cosmetic dentist can help.
Tooth Pain from Eating or Drinking
Do you experience tooth sensitivity from eating, drinking, or other tooth pressure? This might be a sign that it’s time to get that cosmetic dentistry you’ve been considering.
You might think that tooth pain has nothing to do with cosmetic dentistry, but the truth is that the health and beauty of your teeth go hand in hand. Tooth pain might be a sign that the cosmetic problems you’ve noticed are actually more than cosmetic: they could be health problems.
For example, do you have a chipped tooth you want to repair to improve the appearance of your smile? When the tooth is chipped, it might expose the dentin underneath. This tooth material is softer and more porous, which makes it easier for temperature changes, pressure, acid, and other irritants to affect the interior of the tooth. Tooth discoloration might just be a surface stain, but it might also be cavities or your tooth enamel wearing away.
Likewise, restorative procedures like a tooth-colored filling or a dental crown, can also be cosmetic dentistry. In other words, you should talk to a Fort Atkinson cosmetic dentist because they might be able to preserve or save your teeth.
Difficulty Chewing
Another functional problem that a Fort Atkinson cosmetic dentist might be able to help with is difficulty chewing. If you’ve noticed that your teeth are worn down, making your smile shorter, you might want a cosmetic solution to build them back up again. However, if you’re also having difficulty chewing, the problem might be more than cosmetic.
Badly worn, damaged, or just small teeth can lead to chewing problems. This might include:
- Swallowing problems
- Choking
- Gassiness and stomach discomfort
- Jaw soreness
- Facial pain
- Headaches
- Ear symptoms
In some cases, these bite problems might be linked to problems like temporomandibular joint disorders (called TMJ or TMD), or it might be a less serious problem that is nonetheless worthy of attention.
Talk to a Cosmetic Dentist in Fort Atkinson
Are you unhappy with the appearance of your smile, but you’ve been putting off doing anything about it? The above signs will tell you that it’s time to stop procrastinating and take action. A cosmetic dentist can evaluate your smile and help you find the right solutions to beautify, protect, and improve your smile.
Please call (920) 563-7323 or use our online form to request an appointment at BKS Dental in Fort Atkinson, across the street from Bumper to Bumper Auto Parts near the Johnson Bank.
