Have you heard of the snaggletooth fascination in Japan? Do you know what a gap-toothed grin means in France? Ever wonder how traditions from India inspired rappers’ golden teeth? One person can see a smile in a completely different light from the next. What some might consider a flaw can be a desirable feature for others. So, before passing judgment on others’ dental preferences, learn first to celebrate this diversity.
Here, discover what a snaggletooth is and its cultural significance. Plus, get the lowdown on other smile types from around the globe.
What is a snaggletooth?
A snaggletooth refers to a single tooth that is noticeably crooked, twisted, or protruding. It can appear in front or behind other teeth and often looks pointed or broken. If you notice a tooth that stands out, you likely have a snaggletooth. Its presence typically suggests overcrowding, which can make brushing and flossing difficult.
Some may see this dental feature as a flaw, but others embrace the imperfection. The Japanese, known for their counterculture ideas, have embraced protruding and overlapping teeth and even coined a term for them. The British Dental Journal described yaeba as multi-layered teeth perceived locally and in other Asian cultures to signify youthfulness. Some Japanese women even spend large sums to attach plastic fronts to their real teeth to achieve this look.
However, the Australian Dental Association cautions against altering your teeth to appear imperfect, as it can lead to bite issues, gum problems, and even speech difficulties. For those with a natural snaggletooth, orthodontic treatment may be necessary to prevent complications.
What causes a snaggletooth?
You may be born with it, or you might have picked up a few harmful habits in childhood that led to it. Here are the possible causes of a snaggletooth:
- Genetics: Inherited traits, such as jaw shape and dental misalignments, can contribute to a snaggletooth.
- Teeth overcrowding: A narrow mouth can force teeth into abnormal positions.
- Thumb-sucking: Prolonged thumb-sucking beyond toddler years can push teeth to grow at unusual angles.
- Dummy overuse: Excessive use of dummies can increase the risk of misaligned teeth.
- Poor tongue posture: If your tongue pushes against the teeth for a long time (tongue thrusting), it can lead to a misalignment.
- Early loss of baby teeth: Premature gaps can affect the eruption of permanent teeth.
How to fix a snaggletooth
If you decide to correct any dental irregularities, crookedness, or misalignments, you can consider these options:
Metal braces
These traditional orthodontic devices use wires, brackets, and elastics to apply pressure and align teeth. Their effectiveness is unquestionable. But you might deal with aesthetic and self-esteem issues as they are very noticeable. Braces may also cause you more discomfort because of frequent adjustments.
Ceramic braces
These braces are similar to traditional metal ones. But these use tooth-coloured brackets to make them less noticeable. However, they fetch a higher price tag and can be prone to breakage and staining.
Clear aligners
Aligners like ClearCorrect are an alternative to traditional braces that can treat misalignments and bite issues comfortably and discreetly. And, yes, they’re totally removable!
These have a high, flat, unscalloped trimline and a tri-layer ClearQuartz material composed of resilient polymers and an elastomeric centre. The latter offers elasticity that provides comfort while applying force to push the teeth into position. ClearCorrect’s stain-resistant properties have been tried against leading aligner brands.
Take this online smile assessment to know if you’re a candidate for clear aligners.
Veneers
If you’re looking for a quick fix, veneers may be the answer. These cover the tooth’s surface with customised shells to conceal imperfections. But expect to pay more for this option.
Other smile types with cultural significance
Different cultures have unique perspectives on other dental features that might be considered flaws elsewhere. Here are more examples:
1. Gap-toothed grins
If you have a gap-toothed grin, consider yourself lucky – if you’re in France, at least. The French call gap teeth dents du bonheur (teeth of happiness) or dents de la chance (lucky teeth). And, yes, they’re very stylish. Très chic indeed!
Another similar trend in Europe is the London Gap, which celebrates the space between the front teeth. Celebrity models like Lara Stone and Georgia May Jagger have given lustre to this “unusual” look.
2. Sharp-toothed smiles
From the Vampire Fang TikTok trend to the ritual rites of indigenous tribes in Indonesia, sharp-teethed smiles are more than just fashion fare to beware. In fact, women from the Mentawai Tribe of West Sumatra undergo a procedure that involves sharpening their teeth with hammers and needles – all in the name of beauty.
Conversely, in parts of Bali, teenagers go through potong gigi. This rite of passage involves filling canine teeth to mark their transition into becoming a woman old enough to marry.
3. Blackened smiles
In some Southeast Asian and Oceanic cultures, locals consider teeth blackening a standard of beauty, maturity, and refinement. Meanwhile, in Japan, locals practised ohaguru or teeth blackening during the Meiji period. They believed pitch-black objects were a sign of beauty, so coal-black teeth were more attractive than pearly whites. Similarly, certain tribes in Ecuador and Peru associate black smiles with high status.
4. Golden grins
What do Lil Wayne, Nelly, Travis Scott, and Post Malone have in common? They’ve all, at some point, “got their mouths looking something like a disco ball,” as Paul Wall rapped. The “grills” era reached its peak around the early 2000s. At that time, rap fans and celebrity icons alike adorned their teeth with bling, using it as a status symbol in true hip-hop fashion.
But this trend isn’t unique to modern hip-hop. The Egyptian Journal of Forensic Sciences shed light on a kind of dental jewellery known as golden choumps, which signified wealth, status, and beauty. Meanwhile, in India, the Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research observed that those with gold in their bodies were considered blessed by the gods.
5. LED Teeth
As its name suggests, this smile involves affixing LED light to the teeth. Think of it as a mouthguard but illuminated. It’s no surprise that this craze comes from none other than Japan once again. Feel like mixing things up? Some LED teeth inserts even come with a wireless handheld device that lets you change the colour of your pearly whites when the mood strikes.
6. Hollywood smiles
Having a perfect set of Hollywood teeth has become a global standard of beauty, especially when measured against Western ideals. Research by the Journal of Dental Sciences observed the correlation between attractiveness and facial structures assessed by orthodontists. The study found that having straight teeth accounted for up to 22% of perceived beauty.
While a perfect smile can look different from one culture to the next, there’s one thing that seems to be the case across the board – having a healthy set of teeth is a must.
To truly embody beauty, your teeth shouldn’t just look great. They should be in great health, too. Consult your dentist about treatment options to optimise your teeth and bite. Embrace your snaggletooth and show off your style, but don’t forget to pay your dentist a visit along the way!
References:
Kotecha, S. D., Hedge, Y. D., Chaudhry, K., Yeluri, R., Masih, U., & Singh, C. (2016). Gold Enamel Choumps – A Case report. Egyptian Journal of Forensic Sciences
Nerawati, N. G. A. A. (2021). The Implementation Of Tooth-Filing (Potong Gigi) Ceremony During Nyekah. Jayapangus Press, 4(1), ISSN 2615-0913 (E).
Poon, R. X. M. (2018). The perfect smile – Part 4. British Dental Journal, 225(8), 698.
Ren, H., Chen, X., & Zhang, Y. (2021). Correlation between facial attractiveness and facial components assessed by laypersons and orthodontists. Journal of Dental Sciences, 16(1), 431–436.
Yadav, R., Yadav, A., Rai, R., Mahuja, M., & Solanki, S. (2016). Gold Tooth Tattoos: Identifying Features in Forensic Odontology. Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research, 10(7), ZJ08–ZJ09.
