{"id":988,"date":"2018-04-26T06:00:14","date_gmt":"2018-04-25T18:00:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.citydentists.co.nz\/dental-blog\/oral-health-wellbeing\/teeth-ideals-we-may-take-for-granted\/"},"modified":"2025-03-01T16:24:52","modified_gmt":"2025-03-01T04:24:52","slug":"teeth-ideals-we-may-take-for-granted","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.citydentists.co.nz\/dental-blog\/teeth-ideals-we-may-take-for-granted\/","title":{"rendered":"Teeth ideals we may take for granted"},"content":{"rendered":"

 <\/p>\n

Here in New Zealand, and in much of the Westernised world, we have certain standards and traditions that define out attitudes and behaviours towards our teeth. These ideas have become so ingrained in our culture that we’ve come to accept them as a kind of social law.<\/p>\n

However, not every part of the world has the same expectations or beliefs<\/a> about dental care and beauty. Here, we look at a few ideals we might be taking for granted.<\/p>\n

The beauty of white teeth<\/strong><\/p>\n

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\"PearlyPearly whites are considered ideal in our Westernised society.<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
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We consider white teeth to be a sign of wellbeing.<\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

It’s commonly accepted in New Zealand that white teeth are beautiful. Take the wide availability of teeth whitening<\/a> products and services as an example. There are many possible reasons for this – white teeth may be considered fashionable as influential celebrities often have particularly pearly teeth. It may also be because we consider white teeth to be a sign of wellbeing. Teeth discolour as a result of ageing, unhealthy habits like smoking and poor oral hygiene, so white teeth suggest youth and health.<\/p>\n

However, practices in many Asian countries contradict these attitudes. In historical Japan, deliberate blackening of teeth (known as “ohaguro”) was popular among women, though the exact reasons it was done are disputed. Some suggest it was thought to be beautiful, or a better alternative to yellowing teeth as it appeared to create a large smile from a distance. Others say it may have been a coming-of-age tradition – a symbol of womanhood.<\/p>\n

Ohaguro declined in popularity as Japan became more exposed to Western cultures and modern dental practices.<\/p>\n

Can crooked teeth be cute?<\/strong><\/p>\n