History Main / BritishTeeth

In fact, [[http://www.economist.com/research/articlesBySubject/displaystory.cfm?subjectid=7933596&story_id=15060097 a 2009 study by the OECD]] found the UK to have some of the industrialized world's better dental health (actually ahead of the United States by a fair margin). The BBC has a [[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/7633254.stm fairly accurate overview]] of the situation and (varying) attitudes on both sides of the pond. For those that don't want to follow that link, it basically boils down to the British feeling that having teeth be a little crooked or off color just adds character, whereas perfectly white straight teeth are a little too perfect, if not outright creepy. It's possible that since the British create a lot more {{Period Drama}}s than America (most of which happen before modern dentistry), the British feel that having row after row of EternallyPearlyWhiteTeeth would border on AnachronismStew after a while.

-->'''Drew Carey:''' "The shortest book ever written."

* Played with in ''AcrossTheUniverse'', when Jude, a Brit, notes of the American Lucy, "My god -- you have perfect teeth!", tells her that people back home have horrible teeth, and feigns not knowing what braces are.

In fact, [[http://www.economist.com/research/articlesBySubject/displaystory.cfm?subjectid=7933596&story_id=15060097 a 2009 study by the OECD]] found the UK to have some of the industrialized world's better dental health (actually ahead of the United States by a fair margin). The BBC has a [[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/7633254.stm fairly accurate overview]] of the situation and (varying) attitudes on both sides of the pond. For those that don't want to follow that link, it basically boils down to the British feeling that having teeth be a little crooked or off color just adds character, whereas perfectly white straight teeth are a little too perfect. It's possible that since the British create a lot more {{Period Drama}}s than America (most of which happen before modern dentistry), the British feel that having row after row of EternallyPearlyWhiteTeeth would border on AnachronismStew after a while.

* An old {{SNL}} episode (with Chris Farley) had a "commercial" for a British toothpaste made of pure cane sugar.

* "[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCgx8zM3woQ The Stereotypes Song]]" mentions "the crookedass teeth of an English dude."

In fact, [[http://www.economist.com/research/articlesBySubject/displaystory.cfm?subjectid=7933596&story_id=15060097 a 2009 study by the OECD]] found the UK to have some of the industrialized world's better dental health (actually ahead of the United States by a fair margin). The BBC has a [[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/7633254.stm fairly accurate overview]] of the situation and (varying) attitudes on both sides of the pond. For those that don't want to follow that link, it basically boils down to the British feeling that having teeth be a little crooked or off color just adds character, whereas perfectly white straight teeth are a little too perfect. It's possible that since the British create a lot more Period Dramas than America (most of which happen before modern dentistry, the British feel that having row after row of EternallyPerfectWhiteTeeth would border on AnachronismStew after a while.

In fact, [[http://www.economist.com/research/articlesBySubject/displaystory.cfm?subjectid=7933596&story_id=15060097 a 2009 study by the OECD]] found the UK to have some of the industrialized world's better dental health (actually ahead of the United States by a fair margin). The BBC has a [[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/7633254.stm fairly accurate overview]] of the situation and (varying) attitudes on both sides of the pond.

* Bradley James (Arthur in {{Merlin}}) has crooked teeth. Note that this does not stop his status as an EstrogenBrigadeBait.

[[AC: Real Life]]
* Kate Moss has crooked teeth despite being a ''supermodel''.

* Just about every British character who appears on ''FamilyGuy''. They re-use jokes a lot, so expect to see it often. (No, Stewie is supposed to be American. Yes, I know.)
** Stewie's Rex Harrison, so it doesn't count.
*** Although he's always sounded more like TV and Radio personality and former Member of Parliament Gyles Brandreth to me. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uExMq6lwIhE

The reasoning behind this trope has its roots largely in cultural differences. In America having bad teeth is associated with being extremely poor - not being able to afford the dentist is like not being able to afford basic medical care. Thus there is an enormous cultural stigma to not having perfect teeth.

* A good example of the inverse British attitude is seen in ''TopGear'', in which Hammond strenuously denies having had his teeth whitened (which is implied to be a decidedly {{Metrosexual}} thing to do).

* On the ''MysteryScienceTheater3000'' episode "{{Film/SantaClaus}}":

* On the ''MysteryScienceTheater3000'' episode "[[Film/SantaClaus]]":

* ''Shanghai Knights'': Owen Wilson's character flirts with a pretty young English damsel, only for her to smile and send him running from her moldy choppers.

* An old SNL episode (with Chris Farley) had a "commercial" for a British toothpaste made of pure cane sugar.