Wellness

[LilacTree]

. . . No one under  30 has crooked teeth anymore?

Way back when I was going to school practically all the students had crooked and/or discolored teeth.  Some had braces which were huge metal things so uncomfortable they could hardly eat!  and often the real teeth suffered damage from the braces which had been left on too long.

I had crooked teeth, so did my siblings.  My mom and dad both had false teeth in their 30s.  There were just regular dentists then, very few specialists.  Problems . . . Just pull the tooth out!  I had caps and bridges by the time I was 30, and have spent thousands on my mouth since then.

I think one of the reasons young people have not experienced this is because wisdom teeth are very often pulled as the second teeth begin appearing, giving them more room to grow in straight.  

My two youngest granddaughters’ teeth started coming in extremely crooked and my daughter had them in braces as they were growing in.  They had monthly adjustments made during the time of growth, and within a very short time the braces were off and they both have gorgeous teeth now at ages 17 and 19.  All of their friends have beautiful smiles also.

Great strides in dentistry, although not cheap.  

[Trinity11]

@LilacTree  Great minds think alike....LOL. I was just thinking the same thing recently. I mentioned to my husband how different everyone's teeth look today in broadcasting and modeling compared to even the 80's. I was watching a movie the other day and the lead had yellow teeth. Today that would be unheard of. Just look at some of the models at QVC too. Some of them have neon white teeth...which isn't particularly attractive either.

According to one of my good friends, she said getting veneers cost her 20 grand. She looks great but all that time in the chair would not be my idea of an easy solution......

[Carol Diane]

I know what you mean.  When I see old pictures of some actors and actresses, their teeth look awful to me.... yellow, very crooked, extreme overbite etc.  On some models now, the big thing is a gap between the top front teeth.  It looks so off to me.  I know I will get bombarded with posts about individuality, quirkiness, individual choice and the obsession with perfection but I'm just being honest about what pops into my mind.  I understand how expensive fixing teeth can be but as @LilacTree has mentioned, my daughter and all her friends have beautiful teeth. 

[Patriot3]

I agree.  All 6 of my grandchildren have had braces and they have beautiful teeth.  I have noticed that, too, on others in their generation.  Even when my kids were growing up, it was not the thing to do.  So many advances in dental health now days.

[LilacTree]

Spoiler

@Trinity11 

Ha ha, Trinity . . . I’m thinking about the “great minds” comment as I lose words as they begin to float away no matter how hard I try to hold them back! I’ll post about that someday, but maybe not, LOL!

I very much agree  about the neon white craze, which tends to make one’s teeth look fake even when they’re not.

[Carmie]

I have noticed that many younger children have not only crooked teeth, but decayed teeth as well.  It is so sad. Where I volunteer at a school, young kids complain of tooth aches all of the time.

Also, toddlers are getting crowns on their baby teeth because they are allowed to have sugary drinks all of the time in a baby bottle.  This was unheard of when I was younger.

And on the other side, of the coin, those who are taught to brush well and take care of their teeth have beautiful white straight smiles.

My siblings and I all have natural straight white teeth as does my daughter.  Both of my boys wore braces because their bottom and upper teeth did not align correctly.

[LilacTree]

My own daughters all had their wisdom teeth pulled.  Only my oldest needed braces for a while, but she has beautiful teeth also.  They paid for these procedures themselves, as they did all of their other growing up needs, college, cars, weddings, etc.  They learned very early in life about responsibility and independence.

[SilleeMee]

My wisdom teeth all came in when I was 12yo. I never had them taken out because the dentists all said the teeth were fine they way they were. My teeth have always been straight and I never had the need for braces. Today at 63 I still have all of my natural teeth, including all four wisdoms, and none of my teeth have ever had a cavity or any work done whatsoever. How's that for a perfect set of teeth?!! 

As for children and people under 30, their dental care is dreadful and I've seen kids around here with terrible looking teeth. It's very sad. Many cannot affort dental care.

[lbwshop]

When i was pregnant with my daughter, I prayed that would get MY teeth (straight) and my husband's hair (curly).  She got her dad's teeth, so we willingly paid for braces from the time she was nine years old.  She INHERITED her jaws and teeth--how would making her pay for treatment have taught her responsibility???  I chose her father, teeth and all--she had no choice about her heritage.  What parent would not pay for her child's medical costs--unless they are destitute?

[LindaSal]

After being  a dental assistant for 30 years I've seen it all.    Today early intervention is key.  Many times treatment can be more effective and less costly over a shorter period of time.  My heart breaks for children who don't have a healthy smile.  I did many charitable clinics over my years to treat underprivilged children.  Unfortunately it is expensive but many times if the parents fear the dental office then so will the children and that can be a big part of it.  Luckily, being in the field helped me get the best preventive treatment for my kids over the years (they too, have not one restoration in their mouths) and also they obviously had no fear because "mommy worked at the dentist".  They are now 34 and 35.