Cosmetic dentistry

[Soynut]

OK, so I have two chipped front teeth. They look really bad and prevents me from smiling everyday like I should.:D I don't believe it's healthy to walk around with damaged teeth for too long. Well, I finally got my act and finances together and went to a cosmetic dentist to check out what needs to be done, and we decided on 2 (possibly 4) veneers. I don't feel bad about it from a vegan stand point because there are no vegan dentist and I'm fixing something that is damaged, not to alter my look.

[Bowwowmeow]

I've got to get to a dentist too, Soynut, as a piece chipped off one of my molars, on the inside, and I have to keep dental wax stuffed into the gap to keep the sharp edges from cutting my tongue! :(

It must be hard to put up with the comments of your friend. I don't think there is anything wrong or unvegan about wanting to get your teeth fixed. As vegans, we don't need to be beauty queens, but its good to present as pleasant and friendly an appearance as we can, to make veganism look good. And you shouldn't have to risk losing your teeth, either. It seems to me you have given this lots of thought, and are making the best decision you can. All of us have to compromise a little because we live in such a non-vegan world. I still think about the glue in the books I read. But I can't stop reading books. :sigh:
Its not like you are turning down a vegan option; there is no option, and you've got to get your teeth fixed!

[Soynut]

As vegans, we don't need to be beauty queens, but its good to present as pleasant and friendly an appearance as we can, to make veganism look good.


This is actually another reason why I'm doing this; I don't want people to think I have bad teeth because I'm vegan (which they already do). The majority of vegans I know have great teeth, but that's hard to explain to others when my mouth looks so bad.:( If there was a vegan alternative, I would go for it even if it would cost twice as much. I just don't see how eventually ending up with dentures could be a great alternative.

[Bowwowmeow]

Yeah, whenever people find out you're vegan, they get super picky about every little flaw, and blame the veganism for it. Never mind that they might have dandruff, or B.O., or discolored teeth, or bad skin. :rolleyes:

I hope it goes well. I hate going to the dentist, myself. :dark:

[Soynut]

Never mind that they might have dandruff, or B.O., or discolored teeth, or bad skin.

:laugh: That describes many omnis.

Thanks, Bowwowmeow.

[Oracl]

I would say get the teeth fixed so that they stay healthy. You will feel good and you will look good and then you will actually be an even better ambassador for the vegan cause. :agree:

Don't let the omnis drag you down. :no:

[Soynut]

Thanks, Oracl. Hope you had a great birthday!:)

[Phoenix]

Well, I can't really add anything new to the excellent advice already offered by BWM & Oracl. I agree with what they both wrote. You need to get your teeth fixed for health & emotional reasons!

Remember that guilty omnis love to jump on veg*ns any chance they get. It's her problem!!!

Hope all goes well at the dentist.

[thevegantwins]

Remember that guilty omnis love to jump on veg*ns any chance they get. It's her problem!!!
That's what I was going to say. Why is she so concerned if getting your teeth fixed is vegan or not while she's still shoving dead animals down her throat?

I've had bonding on my front tooth since I was 12 (hit in the mouth with a tennis racket) and if/when it falls off, I'm certainly getting it fixed again. I don't even consider it a vegan dilemma.

[Keykeypie]

Just go ahead and get them fixed and then tell your friend "......and speaking of teeth.....BITE ME!":)
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m60/gingerlks/maddog.gif

[Soynut]

LOL.keykeypie! Thanks everyone. I know I do a lot already being a vegan and caring for the environment as much as I can in my everyday life. Of course, I can always improve in some areas, I'm no saint, but I'm also tired of being treated like a hypocrite. Maybe I just evoke bad feelings in her?...
I don't really understand why this should be a problem. My husband think it's great and is all excited about it. He doesn't really agree with my philosophy, but he NEVER try to poke or make fun of me either.

I came to think of that my friend thinks very much in black and white, and would never compromise and settle for anything in the middle - all the way or nothing is her deal. But with veganism this kind of thinking can be an enemy because we have to compromise everyday. I'm considered a "strict" vegan (especially among omnis, of course!), but I don't think so; I eat with meateaters (even though It REALLY disgusts me), I drive a car, I sometimes eat bread with honey, my beauty products are not tested on animals but maybe not always vegan (it's sometimes hard to understand ALL the nasty ingredients they put in stuff), I eat table sugar.... the list goes on. And to me this is perfectly OK, I do what I practically can and I don't worry about the rest. But - I still consider myself a VEGAN and happy to be one!:) :blinkwave:

[Oracl]

Thanks, Oracl. Hope you had a great birthday!:)
Yes, thanks, Soynut. :agree:

[Gliondrach]

I agree with what the others have said. So just get it done. Your friend has no right to make you feel guilty. You don't call her a murderer for eating meat. You don't say that she is not compassionate for her uncaring attitude to cows and sheep. And chickens, and cod, and salmon, and turkeys and whatever else she stuffs into her maw.

[Soynut]

Thanks, Gliondrach. You know, if a vegan would ever start picking on omnis for eating meat, it's usually the end of that friendship.:grumble: We usually have to tip-toe around them making sure we're as diplomatic as possible....but it's OK for some of them pick to freely on us. Now THAT seems to be socially accepted, and often something that many think it's kind of funny... sometimes the most "enlightened" person seems to get a crack out of that one. Intresting, isn't it....

[Keykeypie]

Thanks, Gliondrach. You know, if a vegan would ever start picking on omnis for eating meat, it's usually the end of that friendship.:grumble: We have to tip-toe around them making sure we're as diplomatic as possible....

We do??????? Not me. And only once have I ever been insulted.

That was by a checker in a supermarket. She saw I was buying vegan stuff & "whispered" to me...."I'm a vegetarian too."

But in that case......I said nothing and just gave her strange look.....
since I don't think it's fair to pick on somebody at their work place.

Don't get me wrong....I'm not saying people don't put me down behind my back.....maybe they do.......but to my face, I've never gotten anything but respect.

You don't call her a murderer for eating meat. You don't say that she is not compassionate for her uncaring attitude to cows and sheep. And chickens, and cod, and salmon, and turkeys and whatever else she stuffs into her maw.
And if not......why not?

Just asking, as a friend. Why do you let these people push you around?

[Soynut]

I never openly critisize omis' eating habits (I'm just releasing some steam here in a safe environment among fellow vegans) I feel it's counter productive, really. When people hear I'm vegan they usually know what I think about meat and dairy, so I feel there's no need to make my opinon heard about what's on their plate. Instead I'm trying to invite my friends to vegan restaurants, movies and events. I also keep a stack veggie books and movies which I freely lend to people. I actually think I've opened a few minds....

I should say that the majority of my friends and family are very cool about my veganism, and I'm so grateful for that, really.

[Phoenix]

Been to visit the dentist yet, Soynut and BWM?

I actually went yesterday. I thought I needed a root canal :speechless: but it turns out I only need two fillings replaced. :yea:

I'm glad I went to a different dentist for a second opinion. :agree:

[Oracl]

I'm glad I went to a different dentist for a second opinion. :agree:
That's like that old joke about the guy who went to the doctor and the doctor said, "I think you are a very sick man."

The guy said, "I think I need a second opinion."

The doctor said, "OK, I also think you are very ugly!"

:bhead:

[Phoenix]

Thanks a bunch, Oracl. :nahnah:

[Oracl]

:whistle: :lol:

[paul]

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[Soynut]

Been to visit the dentist yet, Soynut and BWM?

I actually went yesterday. I thought I needed a root canal :speechless: but it turns out I only need two fillings replaced. :yea:

I'm glad I went to a different dentist for a second opinion. :agree:

I actually decided to fix my teeth at a dental school. I shopped around a little bit before to find an honest and affordable dentist, but previous experience with rip-off dentists told me I should look for an alternative this time. I've had lots of work done (mostly root canals with costly crowns) and I question if all of it was really necessary. I feel that some dentists are like car mechanics - they are trying to push you to have more work done than you actually need and are willing to use scare tactics to make you go for it.:no: You absolutely did the right thing to shop around, Phoenix.

So, I'll see if the dental school will turn out ok. So far so good. It'll take a while, though.... 2-3 months, but hopefully it will be worth it. Yay!

[Oracl]

Good luck with that, Soynut. :thumbsup:

[Gliondrach]

Good luck, Soynut. Dental students will be too keen to do a good job to be thinking about anything else. There's be no reason for them to do anything that wasn't needed.

[Gliondrach]

That's like that old joke about the guy who went to the doctor and the doctor said, "I think you are a very sick man."

The guy said, "I think I need a second opinion."

The doctor said, "OK, I also think you are very ugly!"

:bhead:

:D :D

[Soynut]

Good luck, Soynut. Dental students will be too keen to do a good job to be thinking about anything else. There's be no reason for them to do anything that wasn't needed.

My thoughts exactly.:agree: Thank you.

[Rainbow]

Your friend sounds a bit insecure.