# Why Do many Brits and Japanese have bad teeth? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [March 13, 2012, 7:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-many-brits-and-japanese-have-bad-teeth/615626 "2012-03-13T07:31:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Springtime\_for\_Spacers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Springtime\_for\_Spacers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Springtime_for_Spacers)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2012, 11:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-many-brits-and-japanese-have-bad-teeth/615626/101 "2012-03-15T11:40:36Z")
> [@AnalogSignal](#): > > Examples: > > [Bowie in the 60’s before he fixed his teeth](http://www.gigwise.com/photos/38986/1/The-Worst-Teeth-In-Music) > > [Bill Nelson interview](http://youtu.be/oq94dFB1B2w) > > [Portion Control - Addiction Rising](http://youtu.be/ZVoZWCNcWEs) > > Note I am a big fan of all of these guys. I am just providing some datapoints that support my observations. In my British view Bowie’s teeth were a part of his charm – like his funny eye – and his new, American, teeth just don’t look right. Thing is that had he stayed a non famous person in Britain he would certainly have had plenty of dental work by his age but they would carefully make sure that any crowns had the shape of his natural teeth. ---
**Author:** ![Boulter\_s\_Canary](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e79b87/32.png) [@Boulter\_s\_Canary](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boulter_s_Canary)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2012, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-many-brits-and-japanese-have-bad-teeth/615626/102 "2012-03-15T12:51:41Z")
> [@SanVito](#): > > Point is… We aren’t going to laugh at a stereotype uniquely ascribed by Americans which we don’t think is true. And which has been around so long it has become cliche DESPITE being untrue. :mad: ---
**Author:** ![Boulter\_s\_Canary](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e79b87/32.png) [@Boulter\_s\_Canary](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boulter_s_Canary)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2012, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-many-brits-and-japanese-have-bad-teeth/615626/103 "2012-03-15T13:01:46Z")
> [@SanVito](#): > > his stereotype of Brits having bad teeth seems to be unique to Americans, I think it dates back to the war. When the American army arrived in the UK (“Overpaid, oversexed and over here” - another stereotype!) the Brits _did_ have bad teeth - their diet was poor, they were too busy being bombed to worry much about dental care and most dentists were away in, or treating, the forces anyway. On the basis “keep repeating it and it might become funny again” USA-ians have repeated the cliche ever since. ---
**Author:** ![AnalogSignal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/analogsignal/32/1085_2.png) [@AnalogSignal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AnalogSignal)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2012, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-many-brits-and-japanese-have-bad-teeth/615626/104 "2012-03-15T13:07:31Z")
> [@Springtime\_for\_Spacers](#): > > In my British view Bowie’s teeth were a part of his charm – like his funny eye – and his new, American, teeth just don’t look right. Thing is that had he stayed a non famous person in Britain he would certainly have had plenty of dental work by his age but they would carefully make sure that any crowns had the shape of his natural teeth. I agree his new teeth don’t look right. He said something in interview about his teeth being painful, if I recall correctly, so his new dental work is probably not cosmetic. If he grew up in America, he would have had braces as a kid and possibly would have needed less work later. ---
**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:** [March 15, 2012, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-many-brits-and-japanese-have-bad-teeth/615626/105 "2012-03-15T13:46:26Z")
I’ve noticed more crooked teeth and overbites in British actors and musicians. I think its a matter of finance priorities. A mild overbite doesn’t interfere with proper chewing. A lot of American orthodontist work is cosmetic. I strongly dislike the current trend of ridiculously white teeth. Its not even a natural look. Teeth are supposed to be ivory colored. The Brits are smart to avoid this fashion craze. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-many-brits-and-japanese-have-bad-teeth/615626.md?page=5)