# Americans, tell me about the social significance of "perfect teeth" by expensive dentistry **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 6, 2010, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-tell-me-about-the-social-significance-of-perfect-teeth-by-expensive-dentistry/531554 "2010-03-06T20:15:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Maastricht](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e57/32.png) [@Maastricht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maastricht)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2010, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-tell-me-about-the-social-significance-of-perfect-teeth-by-expensive-dentistry/531554/81 "2010-03-11T03:58:32Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > I agree with your post except for this one point - I think white teeth are more highly valued in the US than perhaps you think. I agree, and it is telling that whitening strips with an working dose of active ingredients aren’t even approved for over the counter sale here in the Netherlands. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2010, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-tell-me-about-the-social-significance-of-perfect-teeth-by-expensive-dentistry/531554/82 "2010-03-11T18:50:46Z")
> [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](#): > > \ I know–it’s the same reason why, in all those commercials for weight reduction remedies, every fat person is followed at 15 paces by a guy banging on a pair of kettledrums. One can imagine the train of thought; person viewing thinks, “I know I’m overweight. But there’s actually someone banging a pair of tympani behind me as I walk? Is that what people think when I pass by?” And immediately reaches for the phone. Do they really do that in weight loss commercials? I haven’t noticed - I’ll pay more attention in the future. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Righteous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Dr.Righteous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Righteous)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2010, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-tell-me-about-the-social-significance-of-perfect-teeth-by-expensive-dentistry/531554/83 "2010-03-11T19:23:19Z")
> [@Marienee](#): > > I suspect you have the same teeth my husband has. Despite having many dreadful habits, his teeth are all sound and he never has a cavity. And he never needs cleaning. > > I on the other hand, have soft enamel on my teeth and my Dutch dentist cleans my teeth pretty often. The difference is that they don’t do the whole mouth, they only clean where there is scale or what have you. Dentists always said to me that it had to do with antibiotics I took as a child, but I begin to doubt this as my eldest child seems to have the same. Another difference there – Eldest’s teeth are being sealed by the dentist as soon as the adult teeth come through. Youngest’s are not, as the dentist says he doesn’t need it. My youngest siblings (who are now in their 20s) had their teeth routinely sealed, as did most of their friends. I’m getting the impression that our (US) every 6 month cleanings are pretty much the same as your “cavity prevention” visits. The amount of scraping with the metal torture device really depends on how much tartar and plaque there is to get rid of. What I’m interested in is this sealing of the teeth - what’s that about? If we have such a thing here I’ve never had anyone tell me about it (which would be shocking since, as has been mentioned, dentists often try and sell you every conceivable service they can think of). ---
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2010, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-tell-me-about-the-social-significance-of-perfect-teeth-by-expensive-dentistry/531554/84 "2010-03-12T18:52:43Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > Do they really do that in weight loss commercials? I haven’t noticed - I’ll pay more attention in the future. I’m referring to the “boom boom” sounds you hear on the soundtrack of these commercials, when they show overweight people walking or whatever. ---
**Author:** ![Marienee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/73ab20/32.png) [@Marienee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marienee)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2010, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-tell-me-about-the-social-significance-of-perfect-teeth-by-expensive-dentistry/531554/85 "2010-03-12T19:31:35Z")
> [@Dr.Righteous](#): > > I’m getting the impression that our (US) every 6 month cleanings are pretty much the same as your “cavity prevention” visits. The amount of scraping with the metal torture device really depends on how much tartar and plaque there is to get rid of. > > What I’m interested in is this sealing of the teeth - what’s that about? If we have such a thing here I’ve never had anyone tell me about it (which would be shocking since, as has been mentioned, dentists often try and sell you every conceivable service they can think of). A [plastic resin](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dental_sealant) is bonded to the tooth surface. It was approved in the '70s but became popular (at least where we were) as a prophylactic measure when my youngest sibs were kids, so the late 80s, early 90s. Neither of my siblings even knows what it is to have a cavity filled. I imagine an adult could have it done, but no one has ever proposed it to me either, even though I have very soft teeth which are very cavity prone. I wonder if it is not indicated for adults. I have had dental work in both countries and all I can say is that Dutch dentists are very much like American ones, except that they don’t use any anaesthetic for fillings and they think you are a wimp for wanting novacaine. ---
**Author:** ![Marienee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/73ab20/32.png) [@Marienee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marienee)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2010, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-tell-me-about-the-social-significance-of-perfect-teeth-by-expensive-dentistry/531554/86 "2010-03-12T19:43:09Z")
> [@Maastricht](#): > > I agree, and it is telling that whitening strips with an working dose of active ingredients aren’t even approved for over the counter sale here in the Netherlands. Well, no it isn’t. Nearly nothing is available over the counter in the Netherlands; it is my own belief that this is because it is so easy, cheap, and convenient to get a prescription and that there is a high social value placed on having a central gatekeeper (like the family doc) for medical treatment. A general mistrust of self help if you like. Dope you can get. NyQuil? Forget it, and the family doc looks at you like you have proposed that he write you a scrip for rat poison. ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2010, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-tell-me-about-the-social-significance-of-perfect-teeth-by-expensive-dentistry/531554/87 "2010-03-12T20:13:04Z")
> [@](#): > > What I’m interested in is this sealing of the teeth - what’s that about? If we have such a thing here I’ve never had anyone tell me about it I’m American I had sealant done when I was a kid. Basically they put something like epoxy into the deep crevices in the middle of the molars. For a long time I could feel it there, but I can’t anymore. Whether that’s because it’s worn off of because I don’t remember what it felt like without it, I don’t know. ---
**Author:** ![Sodalite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/34f0e0/32.png) [@Sodalite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sodalite)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2010, 6:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-tell-me-about-the-social-significance-of-perfect-teeth-by-expensive-dentistry/531554/88 "2010-03-13T06:06:01Z")
I was reading an article the other day that I don’t think anyone else has posted yet. It’s an interesting look at the subject of American dentistry by a British woman who had extensive work done after moving to the US. [The American Way of Dentistry: The story of my teeth](http://http://www.slate.com/id/2229630) ---
**Author:** ![Maastricht](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e57/32.png) [@Maastricht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maastricht)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2010, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-tell-me-about-the-social-significance-of-perfect-teeth-by-expensive-dentistry/531554/89 "2010-03-13T16:04:27Z")
[Fixed link for Sodalite’s article.](http://www.slate.com/id/2229630) ---
**Author:** ![Sodalite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/34f0e0/32.png) [@Sodalite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sodalite)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2010, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-tell-me-about-the-social-significance-of-perfect-teeth-by-expensive-dentistry/531554/90 "2010-03-15T05:16:46Z")
> [@Maastricht](#): > > [Fixed link for Sodalite’s article.](http://www.slate.com/id/2229630) Thank you. I’m not very good at that sort of thing. Oddly enough, I got a reminder card in Saturdays mail from my dentist. I’m overdue for my six month cleaning and cavity check. I couldn’t help but laugh a bit about it with all the tooth talk going on. ---
**Author:** ![LurkerInNJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ed655f/32.png) [@LurkerInNJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LurkerInNJ)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2010, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-tell-me-about-the-social-significance-of-perfect-teeth-by-expensive-dentistry/531554/91 "2010-03-15T16:37:08Z")
> [@Pyper](#): > > Veneers should last several decades. What kind of veneers are those? I have had to have mine replaced a few times. My last set lasted the longest, around 14 or 15 years. ---
**Author:** ![gallows\_fodder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8c91f0/32.png) [@gallows\_fodder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gallows_fodder)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2010, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-tell-me-about-the-social-significance-of-perfect-teeth-by-expensive-dentistry/531554/92 "2010-03-15T16:48:50Z")
From that article: > [@](#): > > I didn’t even own a toothbrush—my parents had never brushed their teeth, and as adults their oral hygiene was achieved by soaking rather than brushing. I’d never even heard of dental floss, and I ate far too much candy. I prefer not to think about the excruciating pain that decay and resulting abscesses caused—pain that you can hear, that stops the world, that makes listening to the teacher or concentrating on homework impossible. This blows my mind. Never brushing your teeth?! ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2010, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-tell-me-about-the-social-significance-of-perfect-teeth-by-expensive-dentistry/531554/93 "2010-03-15T19:05:41Z")
Tooth brushing didn’t become common among the masses until after WWII. My mother never brushed as a child, either - and had dentures by her mid-40’s. My in-laws (who are, no joke, actual hillbilles) don’t spend a dime on their teeth and most lost theirs by their mid to late 30’s. I’ve had some of them ask me where I bought my teeth - they find it hard to comprehend that someone could be over 40 and still have all their own natural teeth. Really, what the mainstream US considers the dental normal is a historical and regional exception in many ways. Mind you, I really _like_ undecayed, functional teeth, I wish that everyone in the world had them, but yes, some Americans do go overboard on the cosmetics without realizing how fortunate they are, that they can afford to spend so much on what particular shade of white their teeth are rather than whether or not they have them at all. ---
**Author:** ![amarone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@amarone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarone)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2010, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-tell-me-about-the-social-significance-of-perfect-teeth-by-expensive-dentistry/531554/94 "2010-04-01T12:47:42Z")
I visited my (American) dentist earlier this week and Regis Philbin was on the TV. My dentist commented on how he did not like Philbin’s teeth because they are so bright, white and unnatural. He prefers a more natural look but says that many of his customers demand bright white, so what’s he going to do? He said he was at a conference where he met a dentist from somewhere in western Europe who said that in his country they often deliberately put minor flaws into dentures/crowns etc. so that they look natural rather than fake. ---
**Author:** ![Jokesonyou2121](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/71e660/32.png) [@Jokesonyou2121](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jokesonyou2121)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2013, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-tell-me-about-the-social-significance-of-perfect-teeth-by-expensive-dentistry/531554/95 "2013-06-14T23:17:08Z")
I think aligning teeth is somewhat of a social status. When I was growing up in the 1980’s almost every kid had braces. I think we make assumptions about people that don’t have straight teeth. Perhaps they didn’t have the money to fix them. If you are the only kid who didn’t get braces and you stand out from everyone else I think it can effect the job you get and the people who want to date you. I don’t think American’s ever give it a thought that they may not look real. We know they are real. I can tell the difference between dentures and real teeth. As far as whitening goes, I would only consider doing that if I had stained teeth from coffee drinking. Brown teeth are gross. Who would want to kiss you? I looks like you have bad hygiene. For some people straightening teeth is medically necessary, as it was in my case. ---
**Author:** ![Claverhouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/13edae/32.png) [@Claverhouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Claverhouse)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2013, 10:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-tell-me-about-the-social-significance-of-perfect-teeth-by-expensive-dentistry/531554/96 "2013-06-15T10:59:12Z")
I consider the unnaturally perfect teeth of American actors and actresses preferable; but noted that it wasn’t always so: if you watch episodes of _Bewitched_, made in the 1960s, you may notice their teeth aren’t so white, pretty and straight as today’s thesbians are. Extrapolating this to the general population, perhaps 1960s Americans didn’t all have exquisite teeth. Two caveats: this doesn’t apply to Sam; and _Bewitched_ had a **lot** of rum-looking minor actors. Most sitcoms do, but _Bewitched_ more than most. ---
**Author:** ![pullin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c57346/32.png) [@pullin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pullin)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2013, 11:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-tell-me-about-the-social-significance-of-perfect-teeth-by-expensive-dentistry/531554/97 "2013-06-15T11:21:56Z")
> [@Maastricht](#): > > Thanks for the answers so far. And how much money does it cost to have the kind of teeth you need for social advancement? (expressed in months of average salary) An expensive car? a cheap car? the kid’s local college tuition? We paid for one of our kids to have the full treatment, mainly for cosmetic reasons. There were a few potential problems with molars and spacing, but we (and he) didn’t want crooked teeth. It involved not only braces, but some uncomfortable plates to straighten and widen\* his jaw. IIRC it was around 6000 USD. It wasn’t covered by insurance. Interesting (or maybe not) datapoint. Long after we married, I lost a lot of my bottom teeth in an accident on a North Sea rig. I was helicoptered to a dentist somewhere in Scotland. The fix ended up being fairly crooked by American standards. The company offered to cover additional straightening, but I decided it wasn’t that bad, and maybe added a little character. They’re still that way today. \*that was partially for spacing.. not just looks. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2013, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-tell-me-about-the-social-significance-of-perfect-teeth-by-expensive-dentistry/531554/98 "2013-06-15T14:57:01Z")
I wore braces for an overbite. Nearly 4 years and then a permanent lower retainer for years afterward. The retainer began to cause gum disease and had to be taken off. My teeth shifted back quite a lot. I still got some benefit from those teenage braces. I have yellowed teeth and have no interest in getting them whitened. No veneers either. I got one implant last year to replace a tooth I lost several years ago. It was a lower molar that I needed for chewing. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-tell-me-about-the-social-significance-of-perfect-teeth-by-expensive-dentistry/531554.md?page=4)