Why the "British Have Bad Teeth" Stereotype?

Question

I just wondered where it came from and why it's used as an insult... just seems odd to me.

Insults usually target intelligence, success, traditions etc.... but teeth? Someone would have to be pretty flawless for me to resort to insulting them based on their teeth. Just how important are teeth in American culture?

I find it quite funny, mainly because I have pretty much perfect teeth, but I would like to know why it's become such an integral part of the British stereotype.

Answer 1

Hugh Grant  

Answer 2

Good point, the odd thing is having bad teeth once upon a time (When sugar was expensive and a luxury) actually was a sign of success, rich people actually use to blacken their teeth - could be were the stereotype came from.

Answer 3

I think the Austin Powers films are partly to blame for this myth. The British have, in general, good teeth but there are going to be people in every walk of life who don't look after them as well as they should. I have good teeth although they are not 'perfect'. We have a good dental service here and it is very reasonably priced i.e. one filling £15 approx' where else in the western world would you get dentistry at such a low price?

We know that there are millions of slim, quietly spoken Americans and the Americans should know that there are millions of British people with good, white teeth.

EDIT: for pseudo62- Where on earth do you get your facts? We do have fluoride added to our water.

Answer 4

Do you watch The Simpsons?

There is an episode that has "The big Book Of British Smiles" in it. All manky horrible teeth!

I honestly have no idea where it stemmed from though.

Answer 5

It is strange, all three of mine are fine!

Seriously anytime i have been in the States i notice just how bad the working classes teeth are there......no NHS to cover them, talk to taxi drivers or anyone who is not a film star and you can see just how perfect their teeth are.

Statistically the Italians use less tooth paste and tooth brushes of any European Country

Answer 6

I think we've moved on a lot,and getting the old veneers and American smile is part of our culture too,as so is getting fat like American's,as we are tending to eat the same..

I've had my teeth for 45yrs,all white and intact,some American's tend to have them done when they don't need to.

If eating sh.it food rots your teeth,then American's would have a face full of rotters,as they have been light yrs a head of us in the c**p food race.

Raven. Tracey Ullman is a writter on the Simpson's,who happens to be English,is was an obvious stereo typical send up.He he!

Answer 7

Like most stereotypes, it's based on the unpleasant truth. It's not universal, but common enough to be a stereotype. Like, as someone pointed out, a large number of Americans being overweight.

Answer 8

I don't have great teeth.  I think dentists in 70's made their money giving kids fillings they didn't need.  If I had the money I'd have cosmetic work similar to Americans, but not the dazzling white Simon Cowell look.

Answer 9

It is because the English keep good healthy natural teeth whilst Americans have false teeth, capped teeth, high whitened teeth and all the other un natural ways to doctor teeth.

Freaks always decry the normal ones!!!

Answer 10

It is pretty true actually. Unlike the British, Americans have been getting their teeth whitened and fixed for decades, and the stereotype of the american with a big fat shiny false grin is just as entrenched over here as the British bad teeth are over there.  

Answer 11

Dental records maybe? Like we use "stupid fat americans" !

Answer 12

I think good teeth and white teeth do not go hand in hand.  I know of one person that have only had one filling all her life and she is in her 80's, but her teeth are not white.  

I know that if I have a choice at that age, I would prefer good teeth over false white ones. Saying that have you seen that woman on TV programme Heartbeat called Peggy?  I recon they are the yellowist teeth I have ever seen?  I know it's not real, but if they were real they would probably be strong.

Answer 13

the water over there doesnt have the same elements that our water has, for instance flouride

Answer 14

I havent got bad teef  they all fell out

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