Is it true that Japanese people have poor dental health?

Question

I heard that many Japanese don't care about their teeth and that their is a high incidence of tooth decay in Japan. Why is this?

Answer 1

I noticed that when I was in the States, many people have nice white teeth, and use teeth whitening strips. In Japan they don't have those kind of dental things.
I lived in Japan for 2 years as a missionary, meaning I stopped hundreds of people on the street daily, so I saw my fair share of smiles. When I first went there I noticed that many people have 'stick on' fake teeth, where they cap over the mushiba (decay) and some of them you cant even tell, while others are poorly done. I would compliment many people on their nice features, teeth included, and being Japanese they would quickly hide their smile with their hand, even though they have great teeth. Most of the people just have normal 'broken fences' as stated above. Some of them are pretty shocking with black holes right in the middle of the teeth, and after lunch people would have nori (seaweed) all in their teeth and stuff.
Its a very advanced country, but maybe the dental care has not been so emphasized in the past.
Even some posters of beautiful girls and handsome guys with their styled hair and fancy clothes would have mangled speckled teeth. I dont think those posters would sell in the states, am I right?

Answer 2

Probably it is the view from the western standard.
In Japan, not everybody assume "the white teeth" is good thing, or, ppl think the beauty of teeth and the healthy teeth are different issues.

In 1970's, the media threw doubt on the safety of the fluoride and some ppl accused the government.
There were pros and cons. However, they took the "no embrace when in doubt" attitude, so that Japan removed it from the tap water.
http://www.fluoridealert.org/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fluorine#Safety

And as for the whitening, the cheap whitening set is not sold in Japan (I don't know why).
Today only a portion of Japanese visit dental clinic for the whitening. Ppl visit the dentisit for their dental treatment bascally.
As for brace, yes it is a personal choice. Probably western ppl doesn't agree with this.

Check the "Japanese idols". How do you think their teeth? Please imagine what is going on there, and at least, you can judge by yourself when you visited Japan.
http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&q=Japanese+idols&btnG=Search+Images

By the way, I take a dim view of your question in the Korean category.

dirty? rude? true? I know you are just wondering. However, you can choose proper vocabulary and the way of asking.
I am not saying your English skill, but the sense of caring local people.

Answer 3

The high incidence of tooth decay you've heard inaccurate rumours of is caused by the sweet things that Japanese people like to eat. Same as in other countries!

People in Japan rarely have braces on their teeth as kids though - normally adults get them through personal choice, but this means that many young adults have 'broken fences' in their mouths.

Sweets are very popular with green tea - and also Western sweets and chocolate are popular ... decay is normal in 'advanced' countries with money for sugar..!

BTW, kids at school have an annual health check that's quite thorough and includes having a dentist check their teeth. When there's a problem, a letter is sent home telling the parents to take the kid to the dentist. After school age Japanese people are like everyone else - they don't LIKE going to the dentist!!!

Answer 4

Never heard of it. Where did you hear that?
Is there any nation on earth who "don't care about their teeth?"
I am Japanese and my parents are dentists. I am positive we do care!