Why do people think we British have bad hygiene?

Question

I'm seeing this everywhere, one of the main stereotypes of Britons is that we don't wash or clean our teeth. For most of us if we found out someone didn't do these things on a daily basis we would be completely disgusted! This is why I dont understand could someone enlighten me?

p.s. i know we dont have the straighest teeth ever but thats genes not dental hygiene, and we get dental treatment free on the NHS so wouldnt that mean we have better dental hygiene?

When i say we dont have the straightest teeth I dont mean we all have teeth like austin powers stuck out in different directions so you cant brush them lol
Yeh i suppose the majority of us dont whiten or have vaneers because its expensive and as long as your teeth are clean who cares?

Answer 1

I've never thought that until I saw it in movies. I think it's really supposed to be a joke however, when I actually did go to Europe (I've never been to GB) I did notice that more people had bad teeth than not compared to the US but I can't speak for everyone b/c I haven't seen or met everyone in Europe.

Answer 2

Actually, the basis for the myth is true - though don't get me wrong, it is no longer prevalent today. For centuries, both british royalty as well as "commonfolk" would go to great lengths to whiten their teeth. The most common practice was to use bleach to do the job. Unfortunately, bleach also erodes the enamel that protect the teeth. We didn't know this until relatively recently, so the British continued to use the practice. That is why when you look at old photos or paintings of YOUNGER people, most had white teeth - but if you look at OLDER people they tend to have horrible teeth. It is because the bleach tore up their teeth.

Again, because we know now that bleach is so bad for teeth, the use is almost wiped out, and we don;t have the same problem anymore (except for obvious reasons).

Answer 3

During WWII when Brits were televised , often times people had bad teeth. That image sticks with us and yes it has caused a stereotype. Also, GI's ( my father in law included) would say that they had BO. Well under the circumstances of the war with no running water, what could be expected. Also if you read books on Tudor history, it is often stated that hygiene was poor, Hampton Court stunk of BO, that is why Cardinal Wolsey always carried an orange to sniff on. So, history has kind of written itself and thus the stereotype. I have a few British friend with bad teeth, but believe me there are plenty of bad teeth here in the US. So keep on brushing those pearly whites , lol.

Answer 4

I guess I have thought that about English people's teeth. I think in America our dental care is a lot different. First we don't have socialized health care so we have many more options. Most of us have braces, whitening, veneers etc... Of which I have had all. Teeth are the first thing I notice on people. Maybe Americans are more vain and we spend more time and money on our teeth. American's teeth are not naturally perfect. We make them that way.

Answer 5

I think that's a good question, you have given it some thought because of your PS. I personally couldn't leave the house without giving my teeth a really good clean, having a shower and washing my hair everyday. There is no excuse for poor hygiene as far as I am concerned anyway. I was in a shop only the other day and I stood next to a lady who was quite clearly by her accent not English, possibly European, she stunk, I was retching couldn't get away from her quick enough, someone should have told her.

Answer 6

IT's a regular stereotype I think...When I see someone with crooked teeth I void communication with that type of people. Crooked teeth in a way do mean bad hygiene, because is much harder for yo ut o keep your teeth white, yellow theet are nasty and so are gaps, and missing teeth, worst if is frontal teeth. so I guess you suffer that stereotype.

Just because you get free dental care doesn't mean you are actually getting great care, for all you know they are giving you all the lab experiments that other parts of the world rejects. Just like here in the US..y do you think that the goverment provides free healt care to those low income persons? is not because of taxes, is because they can get profits from the companies that produce all those experimental drugs... so what do you think you are different!! no wonder!, you get what you pay for lol

Answer 7

I don't. It's a known fact that the Brits like their chocolate. I like it too! I am unaware whether the Brits have their flouride in their water like in America. I've seen more Americans with bad teeth than Brits... but then again I have not seen many Brits. So I cannot draw a conclusion.
When I think 'British', I think of Monty Python and Pink Floyd and the word 'cheers' because I heard it a lot in Iraq.

Answer 8

This is what I've seen...a lot of britons do have bad teeth..as in yellowed out and not straight, the former is infact attributed to poor hygiene. I bet not all britons have bad teeth, but it is infact common amongst the age groups 15-25 and over 45 yrs..why so? is it the beer, soccer and smoking? maybe..:)

Answer 9

A person from another country informed me that the British are famed for their lack of hygiene, earlier this year. I have noticed that public transport is a good place to start with. I often walk just to avoid having to share space with people who either don't wash or wear dirty clothes or a combination.

Answer 10

Who specifically is the "we" you are talking about? I'm from the U.S. and I've never thought Britons had bad hygiene. You're accent is pretty cool though!

and I think anyone would be absolutely disgusted to know that somone doesnt brush their teeth every day and such. It's just... gross. yuck.