Brits have bad teeth

selina884
selina884 Posts: 826 Member
Im genuinely curious to know where this stereotype came from?

My teeth are great!
«134

Replies

  • km8907
    km8907 Posts: 3,861 Member
    I can't really find the exact origin, some point to the late 40's and war era when dental hygiene wasn't top priority, but more so that Americans like their teeth to be straight and white. If you're used to just seeing straight and white, then anything else looks bad.
  • Heartisalonelyhunter
    Heartisalonelyhunter Posts: 786 Member
    edited August 2016
    To be honest every time I go to England I'm shocked by a lot of people's teeth. You rarely see people with yellow/missing/crooked teeth in the US but in England you see it everywhere. I think it's because it's so hard to find an NHS dentist and because a lot of people don't care about their teeth that much (most of the royals have awful teeth and it's not like they can't afford a good dentist). Some people do have great teeth but that tends to be due to lucky genetics rather than extensive dental work.
  • selina884
    selina884 Posts: 826 Member
    To be honest every time I go to England I'm shocked by a lot of people's teeth. You rarely see people with yellow/missing/crooked teeth in the US but in England you see it everywhere. I think it's because it's so hard to find an NHS dentist and because a lot of people don't care about their teeth that much. Some people do have great teeth but that tends to be due to lucky genetics rather than extensive dental work.

    Is is *almost* compulsary to have the teeth whitened over there?
    There is an increasing trend here to get teeth whitening professionally to attain a "hollywood smile"

  • selina884
    selina884 Posts: 826 Member
    km8907 wrote: »
    I can't really find the exact origin, some point to the late 40's and war era when dental hygiene wasn't top priority, but more so that Americans like their teeth to be straight and white. If you're used to just seeing straight and white, then anything else looks bad.

    I do think the stereotype is grossly exagerrated but it's definitely not made up out of nothing.
  • Heartisalonelyhunter
    Heartisalonelyhunter Posts: 786 Member
    selina884 wrote: »
    To be honest every time I go to England I'm shocked by a lot of people's teeth. You rarely see people with yellow/missing/crooked teeth in the US but in England you see it everywhere. I think it's because it's so hard to find an NHS dentist and because a lot of people don't care about their teeth that much. Some people do have great teeth but that tends to be due to lucky genetics rather than extensive dental work.

    Is is *almost* compulsary to have the teeth whitened over there?
    There is an increasing trend here to get teeth whitening professionally to attain a "hollywood smile"

    Well I had my teeth whitened in England but the majority of Americans I know don't need to because they have really looked after their teeth from childhood, had braces as kids and have cleanings every 3-6 months. I had to get mine whitened because I smoked at the time and didn't go to the dentist for about 5 years!
  • selina884
    selina884 Posts: 826 Member
    selina884 wrote: »
    To be honest every time I go to England I'm shocked by a lot of people's teeth. You rarely see people with yellow/missing/crooked teeth in the US but in England you see it everywhere. I think it's because it's so hard to find an NHS dentist and because a lot of people don't care about their teeth that much. Some people do have great teeth but that tends to be due to lucky genetics rather than extensive dental work.

    Is is *almost* compulsary to have the teeth whitened over there?
    There is an increasing trend here to get teeth whitening professionally to attain a "hollywood smile"

    Well I had my teeth whitened in England but the majority of Americans I know don't need to because they have really looked after their teeth from childhood, had braces as kids and have cleanings every 3-6 months. I had to get mine whitened because I smoked at the time and didn't go to the dentist for about 5 years!

    thankyou - Ive always been curious about the teeth whitening culture.

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  • selina884
    selina884 Posts: 826 Member
    selina884 wrote: »
    selina884 wrote: »
    To be honest every time I go to England I'm shocked by a lot of people's teeth. You rarely see people with yellow/missing/crooked teeth in the US but in England you see it everywhere. I think it's because it's so hard to find an NHS dentist and because a lot of people don't care about their teeth that much. Some people do have great teeth but that tends to be due to lucky genetics rather than extensive dental work.

    Is is *almost* compulsary to have the teeth whitened over there?
    There is an increasing trend here to get teeth whitening professionally to attain a "hollywood smile"

    Well I had my teeth whitened in England but the majority of Americans I know don't need to because they have really looked after their teeth from childhood, had braces as kids and have cleanings every 3-6 months. I had to get mine whitened because I smoked at the time and didn't go to the dentist for about 5 years!

    thankyou - Ive always been curious about the teeth whitening culture.

    Yeah it's weird. If your teeth are liquid paper white it looks cartoonish to me. Lots of people here (US) get braces as very young kids

    Which is interesting because braces for kids have always been common on this side too. (I paid for mine at a slightly older age only due to vanity issues - my teeth werent so bad, just slight overcrowding)

    However the NHS has cut back most recently and only children with severely bad teeth get to have braces.

    The newest trend is teeth whitening (well its more mainstream now) and it's also on my list too.

  • cee134
    cee134 Posts: 33,711 Member
    Is that why they boil all their food? Because of bad teeth? :)
    Also I hear because it rains all the time that creates soggy teeth.
  • cee134
    cee134 Posts: 33,711 Member
    If I where to guess, and I am, I would say the stereotype became popular do to TV.
  • selina884
    selina884 Posts: 826 Member
    cee134 wrote: »
    If I where to guess, and I am, I would say the stereotype became popular do to TV.

    AHA. Should I be offended then? :p
  • Heartisalonelyhunter
    Heartisalonelyhunter Posts: 786 Member
    Also just to add it's all Europeans in general, not just the Brits. Arguably the French have even worse teeth...
  • selina884
    selina884 Posts: 826 Member
    Also just to add it's all Europeans in general, not just the Brits. Arguably the French have even worse teeth...

    Ahh, this is new to me.

    I thought it specifically applied to Brits.
  • Heartisalonelyhunter
    Heartisalonelyhunter Posts: 786 Member
    selina884 wrote: »
    Also just to add it's all Europeans in general, not just the Brits. Arguably the French have even worse teeth...

    Ahh, this is new to me.

    I thought it specifically applied to Brits.

    It is but I'm saying that's unfair because French teeth are even worse but they just get stereotyped as eating a lot of garlic!
  • selina884
    selina884 Posts: 826 Member
    selina884 wrote: »
    Also just to add it's all Europeans in general, not just the Brits. Arguably the French have even worse teeth...

    Ahh, this is new to me.

    I thought it specifically applied to Brits.

    It is but I'm saying that's unfair because French teeth are even worse but they just get stereotyped as eating a lot of garlic!

    No thats Italians.

    French are stereotyped for never shaving, drinking wine and eating snails and raw meat.

  • StealthHealth
    StealthHealth Posts: 2,417 Member
    selina884 wrote: »
    selina884 wrote: »
    selina884 wrote: »
    To be honest every time I go to England I'm shocked by a lot of people's teeth. You rarely see people with yellow/missing/crooked teeth in the US but in England you see it everywhere. I think it's because it's so hard to find an NHS dentist and because a lot of people don't care about their teeth that much. Some people do have great teeth but that tends to be due to lucky genetics rather than extensive dental work.

    Is is *almost* compulsary to have the teeth whitened over there?
    There is an increasing trend here to get teeth whitening professionally to attain a "hollywood smile"

    Well I had my teeth whitened in England but the majority of Americans I know don't need to because they have really looked after their teeth from childhood, had braces as kids and have cleanings every 3-6 months. I had to get mine whitened because I smoked at the time and didn't go to the dentist for about 5 years!

    thankyou - Ive always been curious about the teeth whitening culture.

    Yeah it's weird. If your teeth are liquid paper white it looks cartoonish to me. Lots of people here (US) get braces as very young kids

    Which is interesting because braces for kids have always been common on this side too. (I paid for mine at a slightly older age only due to vanity issues - my teeth werent so bad, just slight overcrowding)

    However the NHS has cut back most recently and only children with severely bad teeth get to have braces.

    The newest trend is teeth whitening (well its more mainstream now) and it's also on my list too.
    ^^True. We are currently going through an appeal process to try to get my eldest daughter braces on the NHS: Our family NHS dentist is adamant that she needs braces but the NHS orthodontist (that she was referred to) said she only needs them for cosmetic (not health) benefit.

    Obviously I'd like her to get them on NHS but if required we'll have to find the cash from somewhere.
  • Heartisalonelyhunter
    Heartisalonelyhunter Posts: 786 Member
    selina884 wrote: »
    selina884 wrote: »
    Also just to add it's all Europeans in general, not just the Brits. Arguably the French have even worse teeth...

    Ahh, this is new to me.

    I thought it specifically applied to Brits.

    It is but I'm saying that's unfair because French teeth are even worse but they just get stereotyped as eating a lot of garlic!

    No thats Italians.

    French are stereotyped for never shaving, drinking wine and eating snails and raw meat.

    Yes and they call us 'les rosbifs' because that's all we eat and we lie in the sun until we're as red as rare beef. This is a slippery slope to be honest...
  • LeslieB042812
    LeslieB042812 Posts: 1,799 Member
    selina884 wrote: »
    selina884 wrote: »
    Also just to add it's all Europeans in general, not just the Brits. Arguably the French have even worse teeth...

    Ahh, this is new to me.

    I thought it specifically applied to Brits.

    It is but I'm saying that's unfair because French teeth are even worse but they just get stereotyped as eating a lot of garlic!

    No thats Italians.

    French are stereotyped for never shaving, drinking wine and eating snails and raw meat.

    That made me laugh outloud!
  • selina884
    selina884 Posts: 826 Member
    selina884 wrote: »
    selina884 wrote: »
    selina884 wrote: »
    To be honest every time I go to England I'm shocked by a lot of people's teeth. You rarely see people with yellow/missing/crooked teeth in the US but in England you see it everywhere. I think it's because it's so hard to find an NHS dentist and because a lot of people don't care about their teeth that much. Some people do have great teeth but that tends to be due to lucky genetics rather than extensive dental work.

    Is is *almost* compulsary to have the teeth whitened over there?
    There is an increasing trend here to get teeth whitening professionally to attain a "hollywood smile"

    Well I had my teeth whitened in England but the majority of Americans I know don't need to because they have really looked after their teeth from childhood, had braces as kids and have cleanings every 3-6 months. I had to get mine whitened because I smoked at the time and didn't go to the dentist for about 5 years!

    thankyou - Ive always been curious about the teeth whitening culture.

    Yeah it's weird. If your teeth are liquid paper white it looks cartoonish to me. Lots of people here (US) get braces as very young kids

    Which is interesting because braces for kids have always been common on this side too. (I paid for mine at a slightly older age only due to vanity issues - my teeth werent so bad, just slight overcrowding)

    However the NHS has cut back most recently and only children with severely bad teeth get to have braces.

    The newest trend is teeth whitening (well its more mainstream now) and it's also on my list too.
    ^^True. We are currently going through an appeal process to try to get my eldest daughter braces on the NHS: Our family NHS dentist is adamant that she needs braces but the NHS orthodontist (that she was referred to) said she only needs them for cosmetic (not health) benefit.

    Obviously I'd like her to get them on NHS but if required we'll have to find the cash from somewhere.

    It's really not fair and should be widely available through the NHS.
    This is what we pay taxes for!!!!

    I hope it goes in your favour
  • StealthHealth
    StealthHealth Posts: 2,417 Member
    edited August 2016
    Last holiday we had in the US I was impressed by the American smiles: There were lots of very straight, white teeth around.

    I think in part is is because of spending more money on dentistry and that, compared to Brits, The Yanks are more tanned and the contrast highlights their teeth more.

    I don't think that it is due to the British not looking after their teeth as well (as in not flossing, brushing etc), in fact that the high quality of my daughter's teeth (due to good brushing) went against her when trying to get braces:
    • The orthodontist decided that she didn't qualify for braces because her crooked teeth were not causing hygiene problems.
    • Our dentist said that she had a lack of hygiene problems because she regularly brushed and flossed!
  • selina884
    selina884 Posts: 826 Member
    selina884 wrote: »
    selina884 wrote: »
    Also just to add it's all Europeans in general, not just the Brits. Arguably the French have even worse teeth...

    Ahh, this is new to me.

    I thought it specifically applied to Brits.

    It is but I'm saying that's unfair because French teeth are even worse but they just get stereotyped as eating a lot of garlic!

    No thats Italians.

    French are stereotyped for never shaving, drinking wine and eating snails and raw meat.

    Yes and they call us 'les rosbifs' because that's all we eat and we lie in the sun until we're as red as rare beef. This is a slippery slope to be honest...

    LOL! Les rosbifs. That's actually quite funny.

    Ever seen the Catherine Tate Show? Her clip on expressions from different countries will have you laughing relentlessly.
  • selina884
    selina884 Posts: 826 Member
    selina884 wrote: »
    selina884 wrote: »
    Also just to add it's all Europeans in general, not just the Brits. Arguably the French have even worse teeth...

    Ahh, this is new to me.

    I thought it specifically applied to Brits.

    It is but I'm saying that's unfair because French teeth are even worse but they just get stereotyped as eating a lot of garlic!

    No thats Italians.

    French are stereotyped for never shaving, drinking wine and eating snails and raw meat.

    That made me laugh outloud!

    I love a good stereotype lol

  • selina884
    selina884 Posts: 826 Member
    Last holiday we had in the US I was impressed by the American smiles: There were lots of very straight, white teeth around.

    I think in part is is because of spending more money on dentistry and that, compared to Brits, The Yanks are more tanned and the contrast highlights their teeth more.

    I don't think that it is due to the British not looking after their teeth as well (as in not flossing, brushing etc), in fact that the high quality of my daughter's teeth (due to good brushing) went against her when trying to get braces:
    • The orthodontist decided that she didn't qualify for braces because her crooked teeth were not causing hygiene problems.
    • Our dentist said that she had a lack of hygiene problems because she regularly brushed and flossed!

    Yes, too much brushing also seems to be a problem.

    I'd like to know what the common toothpaste in America is? Does it contain Fluoride and SLS?
  • km8907
    km8907 Posts: 3,861 Member
    selina884 wrote: »
    Last holiday we had in the US I was impressed by the American smiles: There were lots of very straight, white teeth around.

    I think in part is is because of spending more money on dentistry and that, compared to Brits, The Yanks are more tanned and the contrast highlights their teeth more.

    I don't think that it is due to the British not looking after their teeth as well (as in not flossing, brushing etc), in fact that the high quality of my daughter's teeth (due to good brushing) went against her when trying to get braces:
    • The orthodontist decided that she didn't qualify for braces because her crooked teeth were not causing hygiene problems.
    • Our dentist said that she had a lack of hygiene problems because she regularly brushed and flossed!

    Yes, too much brushing also seems to be a problem.

    I'd like to know what the common toothpaste in America is? Does it contain Fluoride and SLS?

    Colgate or Total. Yes to the fluoride, even tap water has fluoride in it. I don't care so much about whitening, but I had braces as a kid, wisdom tooth extraction and as of recently, 4 cavities. I need to floss more often -_- honestly the best thing that helped me as a kid was my parents having dental sealants put on our teeth.
  • Heartisalonelyhunter
    Heartisalonelyhunter Posts: 786 Member
    selina884 wrote: »
    selina884 wrote: »
    selina884 wrote: »
    Also just to add it's all Europeans in general, not just the Brits. Arguably the French have even worse teeth...

    Ahh, this is new to me.

    I thought it specifically applied to Brits.

    It is but I'm saying that's unfair because French teeth are even worse but they just get stereotyped as eating a lot of garlic!

    No thats Italians.

    French are stereotyped for never shaving, drinking wine and eating snails and raw meat.

    Yes and they call us 'les rosbifs' because that's all we eat and we lie in the sun until we're as red as rare beef. This is a slippery slope to be honest...

    LOL! Les rosbifs. That's actually quite funny.

    Ever seen the Catherine Tate Show? Her clip on expressions from different countries will have you laughing relentlessly.

    I love me some Catherine Tate. Especially the foul mouthed Granny!
  • selina884
    selina884 Posts: 826 Member
    The Indian and Asian guys have it the worst.

    Bad body odour. Small penises. Funny accents. Shabby dressers. Cheapskates. Don't tip waitstaff well. Very hairy.

    Every race has a stereotype. That is what America is all about. Beat the stereotype or be the victim. Simple!

    lol

    Indians are also Asians but I know what you mean.

    Anyhow - Desi and oriental stereotypes are very distinct.
  • refuseresist
    refuseresist Posts: 934 Member
    I've got horrid wonky teeth but I saud no to braces when I was younger, I wish I had had them done because it was free back then
  • selina884
    selina884 Posts: 826 Member
    The Indian and Asian guys have it the worst.

    Bad body odour. Small penises. Funny accents. Shabby dressers. Cheapskates. Don't tip waitstaff well. Very hairy.

    Every race has a stereotype. That is what America is all about. Beat the stereotype or be the victim. Simple!

    haha WOW! Pretty broad accusation! I feel like you have this vendetta towards any clique or group that may have bullied you as a child. And you make these comments in a passive aggressive manner in hopes that it could pass as a bad joke. Speaking of bad jokes. The self deprecation to attract compliments is over played and not working...

    Only a select group in the United States care about where you're from or what you're doing here. The majority loves the many cultures that we have here! Keeping up on our appearances has nothing to do with any other culture or country out there. It has everything to do with how we feel. And let's not try to point blame on the cause. Perhaps we're all a bit vain. We are on this website together, right?

    Now if you'll excuse me, I need to take this whitening tray out of my mouth and head over to the gym to hit the tanning beds before I go get laser hair removal on my chest and back...

    LOL - you must be a Guido in training. (what we see on TV)
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