Why are Brits known for having such horrible teeth?

Question

I'm not saying that this is true, but it is a sterotype that I've encountered many times in my travels.

Answer 1

Unfortunately the stereotype can be true although not all Brits have Bad teeth, just as all Americans are not Obese!

Problem is some Brits do not see their teeth (or their health generally) as a priority, they will happily spend £60 on a haircut, lots of money on sunbeds, cigarettes, beer etc but moan like mad when they have to pay £15 for me to use my professional knowledge to treat them, clean their teeth, which basically stops their gum disease in it's tracks and prevents them losing their teeth.

Historically Americans have always had to pay, usually top dollar, for their dental care, and have never had it heavily subsidised by the Government and so value their teeth and invest the time and effort in cleaning and care to make sure thay have the minimum work needed, prevention is better than cure, and generally it works! (although I'm sure there are some exceptions)

Whereas some Brits tend to do the bare minimumin the way of cleaning, turn their nose up at flossing, eat lots of sweet foods and avoid the Dentist when they have a problem, coming to see us when the problem gets dire and then expect us to work miracles (and for nothing preferably)

It's only now there is less Subsidy from the Government, and fewer Dentists that patients will perhaps realise good dental care is worth the money, and it is NOT all down to Dentist's wages, the Dentists I work with do not drive jags!

The materials and disposables we have to use during treatment are VERY expensive, a Dental chair costs around £15,000 for example. Crowns and Dentures made in Dental labs do not come cheaply either.

Did you know that Dental plaque not only causes Decay and Gum Disease but has also been implicated in the incidence of Strokes, Heart Disease and Premature Births ?

We don't just aim to look after the mouth, it's your whole body, we do what we can but ultimately it is up to the patient to take responsibility for their own Dental Health and put the effort in.

Right off me soapbox now !!!!

Answer 2

Mainl;y because there is a shortage of decent dentists here, or at leats access to dentists is very poor.

It used to come under the NHS (agency that ensures healthcare is free to patients at the point of delivery, which we pay for through National Insurance etc), but several years ago, it was made possible for a lot of dentist to only take on private patients, at great cost, and unsuprisingly most dentist took this opportunity.

In all honesty though, I think it's the same sort of stereotype as all americans being fat and stupid - we don't have bad teeth, as in rotten, but we DO lack the access to facilities where we can have what is essentially a cosmetic procedure done (ie bright white teeth, as per Dr Cox off of Scrubs!).

Things are getting better here now, with the advent of new methods becoming more visible to the general public.

We still go to the dentists a couple of times a year (even if my nearest dentist is some 25 miles away!), for check-ups and stuff, and we do brush, floss and gargle, so it's not a hygeine issue.

Answer 3

Unfortunate but true. I've encountered too many Brits with horrid teeth & oral hygiene (breath that would kill a skunk)

I made some private observations of people I know well & as acquaintances over a 5yr period, to try & find out what was going on & found too many don't even bother to brush or use oral hygiene products - including ordinary chewing gum.

Their diet is no better or worse than anywhere else but the mouth situation is very, very bad!

Answer 4

Urggh! They do! They do! It's true! It's true! Look at the Royal Family.

I have rarely come across a British person who has good clean teeth, even dentists.

When I was younger I ate alot of sweets and later I was worried my teeth started moving and I harrassed every dentish in my county to give me a note to get my teeth fixed. I am taking off my brace in 2 months.

Obviously not all people do it, but generally British people don't think it is important- which is why many Americans have clean looking people on TV who look like they have a wash and we get greasy haired goofs with dirty teeth.

Hardly any emphahsis is put on cleaning teeth when you are child in school and socially. Only recently some conscious people have started taking note. They got embarrassed after the Americans shamed them! There was a funny sketch on The Simpsons about it. One of the kids in Bart's class gets shown why he should be brushing his teeth: The Big Book of Bad British Teeth. It was hilarious.

Nice One Flossy Bea! Very accurate portrayal.

Answer 5

Because they don't have nitrous oxide in Britain, and the dentists are sadists, so everyone is terrified to go to the dentist. And when they do, the dentists used to be paid piecemeal by the government, more money for each cavity, and some unscrupulous dentists take advantage of this and fill more cavities than are really there. They don't get paid as much for preventative work, hygiene treatments. It's now changing, with dentists charging 'privately', but the British are used to getting health care for free - well it's not for free really, it comes out of their taxes - but they do not adjust well to paying for health care. I do believe the nitrous is the key though. Brits are reputed, as well as having bad teeth, to stand up well to torture...

Answer 6

They used to in the past before there were NHS dentists. A lot of brits still have bad teeth. Maybe its just a scottish thing but there are a hell of a lot of women with no teeth at all - and to make it worse, no falsers!!!

Answer 7

I haven't come across this stereotype before. Maybe the people you have met have a perception that British people eat a lot of fatty food or something, and so have bad teeth.

Answer 8

Sad but true. Id love to have a crocodile smile. If i could afford to have them done i would have them made wight er. Id ask for a crocodile smile and to make it snappy. lol ( sorry) and while I'm at it id like bigger boob's too. But as it is I'm 5ft 11inch 36 34 36 So my teeth arent as wight as id like, But hey you cant have everything. :-) So ill have two or three week's in the Caribbean instead, If i could. lol

Answer 9

We have natural teeth that's all ... unlike our friends over the pond, who have teeth that look the same, and that are so white they burn your retinas when they smile at you...........

Don't forget to floss.........x

P.S. Is it true that americans have the highist rate of obesity in the world ?......because that's the stereotype you guy's have over here.

Answer 10

It's probably because we can't find a decent dentist and when we do, we can't afford to go because it's private and they charge the earth.