having a nice, healthy looking set of chompers is a major social strata indicator in the west
much less so in the UK. White and straight teeth are considered signs of vanity. It also turns out that white straight teeth aren't particularly healthy or unhealthy it's just a beauty standard.
I remember as a kid we thought the one teacher with shiny white teeth was a witch and were genuinely afraid of her
i didn't mean to imply straight by saying "nice, healthy". orthodontia and dentistry are two different things in the US as well. and people go big on all manner of "vanity" standards that has nothing to do with health. like clothes that fit, hair/facial grooming, etc. these are all indicators of social position.
much less so in the UK. White and straight teeth are considered signs of vanity. It also turns out that white straight teeth aren't particularly healthy or unhealthy it's just a beauty standard.
I remember as a kid we thought the one teacher with shiny white teeth was a witch and were genuinely afraid of her
i didn't mean to imply straight by saying "nice, healthy". orthodontia and dentistry are two different things in the US as well. and people go big on all manner of "vanity" standards that has nothing to do with health. like clothes that fit, hair/facial grooming, etc. these are all indicators of social position.
fair enough but given the NHS providing care to everyone health isn't much of a status symbol either