Judging people by their (lack of) teeth

[Ruptga]

This is something I think everyone does, so what's your cutoff point?

Unless their mouth looks like an orc's I don't pay too much attention to straightness or color, but if a person is visibly missing two or more teeth I can't help but wonder about them. 3-5 missing is territory, and if more than that are missing I generally get skeeved out just by being near them. I get that dentists are expensive but, damn, have some pride. Unless you're homeless you can probably afford to take care of yourself better than that.

In before granny BJ jokes.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Thanks for making me look up "skeeve ." Depends on the culture. Looks are so minor compared to other traits. Travel, talk to people, learn how they live. BTW, this works within the US as well as outside.

 

[Ruptga]

Yeah looks are shallow, but missing teeth says a lot about how much they care for themselves, more than shoes or how they dress.

Oh and you're welcome for having your lexical horizons expanded.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Yeah looks are shallow, but missing teeth says a lot about how much they care for themselves, more than shoes or how they dress.

Oh and you're welcome for having your lexical horizons expanded.

Many people don't have dental insurance. The US is one of the few places in the world that treat dentistry as unique and separate from healthcare. The costs for dentistry and orthodontic care lead the medical industry. For many, the choice comes down to food and rent or dental care. Tourism to Mexico for healthcare is at an all time high.

 

[JulesMaximus]

We don't judge people for lacking a brain so why would we judge them for a lack of teeth?

 

[OCGuy]

As someone mentioned, dental hygiene is just one of the visual cues that we use to quickly identify and pre-judge other humans' place in society.

If the first time we see someone they are just walking by, then we are more likely to first determine who they are/are they a threat, then their level of attractiveness, and then their social status. Are their clothes nice? Shoes? Expensive watch? Trimmed nails? Any strong odors?

If we meet someone for the first time face to face, we will instantly gravitate to their mouth, which is why it is such an important factor in both professional and romantic relationships.

 

[Leyawiin]

I automatically think "Meth Mouth". Used to be pretty rampant in Northern California back in the late 80s through the 90s. Now all the tweakers either got Jesus, are in jail or dead (and it spread all over the rest of the country).

 

[QueBert]

lack of teeth = bad
clothes from Walmart or Target = bad.

a combination of both = terrible.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

lack of teeth = bad
clothes from Walmart or Target = bad.

a combination of both = terrible.

Obviously, people choose to be poor. :whiste:

 

[QueBert]

Obviously, people choose to be poor. :whiste:

I'm just playing the role of typical ATOT snob, I don't judge people who are missing teeth. And if I know it's from Meth I especially don't judge them because I know what that drug does to people 1st hand. I find the people who judge others tend to be the ones with the most problems themselves.

 

[mmntech]

My grandma has had no teeth since her early 20s. She got a severe gum infection during the war that caused them all to fall out. Doctors at the time figured it was from drinking our of cracked and dirty cups while she was in the WAAF. At least I hope that's what it was.

She's 90 now. Can't really judge people like that.

 

[Leyawiin]

lack of teeth = bad
clothes from Walmart or Target = bad.

a combination of both = terrible.

Clothes from Tarjay are fine.

 

[OCGuy]

She's 90 now. Can't really judge people like that.

Seeing as how she is out of the workforce and the pool of potential mates, I don't think she would be judged as harshly were she a 30 year old entry-level management candidate or E-Harmony client

 

[Bateluer]

If I'd stayed active duty, I'd be missing a few teeth by now. Lousy dental care. They'd replace the teeth that fell out due to their incompetence with chiclets.

 

[OCGuy]

There are exceptions to the rule....people in high-level contact sports such as Boxing/MMA/Ice Hockey/Rugby get to use missing teeth as a badge of honor

 

[HeXen]

I have a large gap in my two front teeth, but can't help that. They are white though. I'm sure it's as noticeable as a couple missing front teeth but I have no reason to care though no one ever mentions it.

 

[ManBearPig]

deleted

 

[highland145]

I don't have my front 4....would you still like to borrow $$ from me?

 

[nageov3t]

it's a sexual turn-off, but as far as judging them as a person... not really.

I can think of a few people I've known over the years who had jacked teeth because they couldn't afford dental work (typically as kids/teenagers) but who were really great, smart, and kind people.

 

[Ruptga]

We don't judge people for lacking a brain so why would we judge them for a lack of teeth?

Speak for yourself.

Many people don't have dental insurance. The US is one of the few places in the world that treat dentistry as unique and separate from healthcare. The costs for dentistry and orthodontic care lead the medical industry. For many, the choice comes down to food and rent or dental care. Tourism to Mexico for healthcare is at an all time high.

I see what you're saying, but I'm saying that toothpaste and floss isn't that expensive. Unless a person has terrible mouth genes or is a boxer there are few good reasons that they should be missing half or more of their teeth. I'm not saying that makes them a bad person, but I am saying that it's a pretty obvious red flag and definitely knocks a point or two off of their bang/10 rating.

 

[T9D]

I'm missing a large molar in the back. Not the very back the next one in. Can't tell when I smile though. The costs are insane, there can be problems putting in an implant, and I don't even want to get root canals anymore. To many horror stories online about root canals that make you really really sick. At some point I'd rather just get dentures than have a mouthful of filled cavities, implants into the bone, metals in your head, infections from root canals, and be battling it for decades and have it still not look perfect. And be out thousands and thousands of dollars. And wonder if it's affecting your health too.

Some of these people with super messed teeth should just say screw it and get dentures.