Twelve Common Reasons People Get Their Teeth Fixed

The teeth are one of the first things others notice when meeting a person. A good smile says a lot about the personality of a person and how they feel about a situation. Some people are afraid to give others a big smile because they don’t like the way their teeth look. Experts say that many people finally decide to get cosmetic dentistry work such as dental bridges, crowns or teeth whitening because they have a desire to improve their appearance and overall health as well as a need to relieve pain and regain function to the teeth.

Reasons Patients Get Their Teeth Fixed

For patients that decide to have dental work, there are many dental options available to them. Here are some of the most common reasons people get their teeth fixed:

1. Embarrassment - Embarrassment is arguably the most common reason why people get their teeth fixed. Crooked or bad teeth can be a source of embarrassment and low self-esteem for people that speak to large crowds on a regular basis. Some people are just born with crooked teeth while others have broken or rotting teeth due to a lack of proper dental hygiene. Regardless of how the teeth became crooked, the embarrassment it causes an individual can be very demoralizing.
2. Insurance - People often delay getting their teeth fixed because of financial reasons as well as anxiety about having dental work. It’s true that many people can’t afford to have their teeth fixed due to the cost of dental work. However, some people are fortunate enough to have dental insurance that covers a good portion of the procedure costs. The fact that less money comes out of their pocket spurs many people to have work done on their teeth.
3. Trauma - One of the worst things that can happen to a person is sustaining trauma to the mouth and ending up with damaged teeth. A lifetime of good dental habits can be ruined by a fall, a baseball to the mouth or a simple elbow to the face.
4. Social Occasions - The desire to look good in photographs at social occasions is also one of the reasons why people get their teeth fixed. It prompts them to have dental work performed in order to look their best in wedding photos or to help them feel confident at parties and other social gatherings.
5. Job Interviews - The steep level of competition in the world today is one of the reasons people get their teeth fixed. It’s often said that the best person for the job will get the position. Unfortunately, it’s also true that looks play a big part in the job hiring process. A mouth full of broken or rotten teeth will not make a good first impression during a job interview.
6. Comments from Strangers - The looks that one gets from strangers often play a big part in the decision to make an improvement to the teeth. The shame felt when asked why the teeth are in such bad shape can motivate a person to get some work done ASAP.
7. Encouragement from Family Members – In general, family members are supposed to accept and support each other no matter what happens in life. However, family members are often the main people prompting their loved ones to make a change for the better. Plus, family members are around more often than friends so their constant suggestions will continue until a change is made for the better in the appearance of the teeth.
8. Makeovers - The teeth are near the top of the list when it comes to body parts people wish to change or improve. If a person is spending money to improve their looks with liposuction or Botox, they are often willing to spend the money necessary to improve the appearance of their teeth.
9. Advice from a Dentist - The person best trained to recognize and handle issues with the teeth is also the person that knows the best options to improve or repair the teeth. An experienced dentist can show the benefits of getting the teeth fixed through such cosmetic dentistry options as dental implants, dental crowns or dental bridges. The dentist will also tell the patient how much dental hygiene improves the overall health and self-confidence of a person.
10. Smoking - Most people with a smoking habit eventually have to go see the dentist to have work done on their teeth. Not only is smoking bad for the overall health of a person, it is also very bad for the teeth. A prolonged smoking habit can lead to decay, gum disease and discoloration of the teeth.
11. Tobacco - Sooner or later, people who consume tobacco have to get work done on their teeth. The carcinogenic properties of tobacco have a direct impact on the teeth and gums and tobacco can cause infections, gum disease or cancer. Chewing tobacco is also a major contributor to tooth loss.
12. Diabetes - Individuals with diabetes sometimes suffer from gum disease which is a symptom of the condition they have. If gum disease is left untreated, the patient can suffer from tooth loss or decaying gums. Diabetic patients often need to work closely with their dentist to prevent these conditions from happening.

Visit a Board-Certified Dentist to Address Issues with the Teeth

Patients that are suffering from teeth that are crooked or unhealthy need to schedule an appointment with a board-certified dentist to determine their cosmetic dentistry options. The dentist will examine the mouth of the person to determine the extent of the damage to the teeth. The cosmetic dentist will also give the patient the best cosmetic dentistry options to fix the teeth so the patient can enjoy a lifetime of healthy teeth.