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Are you surprised when someone in a professional role has bad teeth

144 replies

layback · 20/06/2025 16:53

I met with someone in a senior health role today and was quite surprised by how bad their teeth were, a lot of tartar build up on the front teeth which was really noticeable. Their role is well paid so it made me wonder why they've not had their teeth cleaned.

I am not bashing those who can't access a dentist at all or those with weak teeth or poor genetics. My teeth were pretty rotten and I spent around £8000 over several years fixing them, I was really self conscious about them and it impacted day to day life, I couldn't laugh with my mouth open, I was fearful of anyone noticing my bad teeth it was horrid. So, I saved, used credit cards and slowly had the work needed, I don't have turkey looking teeth just average now but what a difference to my self worth.

OP posts:
XenoBitch · 20/06/2025 23:47

MrsKypp · 20/06/2025 23:45

I do notice people's teeth. I was in a kitchen / bathroom showroom a week or so ago and the man working in the bathroom section had terrible teeth - gaps, brown teeth etc and it made me feel I wanted to get out of the shop asap. I didn't of course out of politeness and he was such a helpful person, but his teeth looked horrible.

Fucking hell, that is a 'you' problem, right there. Wanting to get out of a shop because of someone's teeth.

The problem there is not his teeth... it is you.

Arumtitum · 20/06/2025 23:46

Coolasfeck · 20/06/2025 23:28

I can’t handle being in close contact for more than very necessary with people with bad teeth (I mean full of plaque/yellow or darker as opposed to crooked).

I can handle being around people for a while with a bit of B.O or dirty hair but rotten teeth just does something to me. It’s a more grimy, ingrained, long term dirt which you can’t just easily wash off.

Oh dear. What will you do when you get older and your teeth will naturally deteriorate?

MrsKypp · 20/06/2025 23:45

I do notice people's teeth. I was in a kitchen / bathroom showroom a week or so ago and the man working in the bathroom section had terrible teeth - gaps, brown teeth etc and it made me feel I wanted to get out of the shop asap. I didn't of course out of politeness and he was such a helpful person, but his teeth looked horrible.

Coolasfeck · 20/06/2025 23:28

I can’t handle being in close contact for more than very necessary with people with bad teeth (I mean full of plaque/yellow or darker as opposed to crooked).

I can handle being around people for a while with a bit of B.O or dirty hair but rotten teeth just does something to me. It’s a more grimy, ingrained, long term dirt which you can’t just easily wash off.

LaMarschallin · 20/06/2025 23:16

Did you have treatment from this person or did you meet in different circumstances?

Catwoman8 · 20/06/2025 23:04

You come across as very defensive in your latter posts, people will judge you for your opinions, just as you have judged this person for his/her teeth. Just own it that you are being judgemental about it.

My parents brought me and my sister up on exactly the same diet, same brushing routine etc, she has perfect strong healthy teeth with no fillings , albeit slightly more yellow as they are stronger. I had whiter teeth, but they are full of fillings as they are so weak! Was always at the dentist as a child having things done, but certainly not through neglect 😥

Just trying to make the point that bad teeth is not always though lack of care, it can be inherited, or neglect, you don't know why this person has less than perfect teeth.

daddysgirlnot · 20/06/2025 22:58

YABU…. I wouldn’t make assumptions about a health professional’s salary… Their wages have been driven down disgracefully over the past decade… The higher bands have taken the biggest hit. Maybe they have other financial priorities… you just can’t make assumptions about people based on their appearance. NHS dentists are almost impossible to find, private dentistry costs a bomb… But their reasons are their own business imo

XenoBitch · 20/06/2025 22:56

Skippydoodle · 20/06/2025 21:27

So you had really bad teeth, but are wondering why other people have bad teeth 🤷🏻‍♀️ I don’t get it???

Spent £8k getting them sorted, and now has faux concern about how other people don't have the same money to do the same.

daddysgirlnot · 20/06/2025 22:54

skymagentatwo · 20/06/2025 17:12

I think it says more about the shallow person making judgements about others to be honest, you have zero clue what is going on in their life.

I could not give a toss how people teeth look as long as they do their job, I hope one day you realise vanity is shallow and certainly does not elevate you about others, quite pathetic really.

Id judge you on your character, may be that £8000 should have gone on correcting that.

Edited

Agree.

Skippydoodle · 20/06/2025 21:27

So you had really bad teeth, but are wondering why other people have bad teeth 🤷🏻‍♀️ I don’t get it???

Arumtitum · 20/06/2025 21:26

It can he thousands for one tooth now. Don't be so judgemental. Value people for their integrity, compassion, kindness. You might have money now but many people don't if they put their dc first, have caring duties or whatever.

ClassicalQueen · 20/06/2025 21:21

There is someone at work who is on SLT who has teeth that aren’t great. Mine aren’t perfect but not awful. However to fix them would cost a lot of money that many people don’t have.

Wimbledonmum1985 · 20/06/2025 20:10

Agree with you. Really not a good look.

BorninJuly · 20/06/2025 20:08

I have noticed things before and thought to myself "they need to see a dentist" but not for crooked/generally imperfect teeth and not for vanity reasons. Just if something looks like tooth decay or plaque that could eventually turn into tooth decay or gum disease.
I would never judge someone for having money and not getting braces.

donttellmewhaticantdo · 20/06/2025 20:04

I used to have lovely teeth, but pregnancy really messed them up. I now have periodontal disease, triggered by pregnancy (and genetics). I go to the dentist every 3 months for a deeper clean and am super vigilant about keeping my teeth and gums clean, but by the time 3 months has passed, I still have a build up of tartar. My dentist said some people are just pre-disposed to have an excess build up, due to their saliva and/or genetics. My gums have receeded slightly in the last few years despite keeping on top of my cleaning. So no, I don't judge people based on their teeth, as I know how hard it is to keep on top of. You have no idea what this person's medical background or dental history is like.

RogersOrganismicProcess · 20/06/2025 20:03

You could be talking about me, although my teeth are more discoloured than dirty.

I also never had braces although I qualified for them. I was abused as a child and young teen. Went to the orthodontist who made the mistake of looking at my breasts, and I never went back.

Am I an educated professional? Yes
Am I embarrassed by my teeth? Yes.
Would I rather have lovely teeth? Yes
Do I wish people weren’t so judgmental? Yes
Would I see my family go without/get into debt, just so I can feel less judged? No

XenoBitch · 20/06/2025 20:02

layback · 20/06/2025 19:58

Their teeth did not affect the care they delivered but made me question their health

It is not really healthy to be questioning the health of someone who is delivering health care to you.
Their health is none of your business. And I can guarantee that they know they have "bad" teeth.

Polewaxed · 20/06/2025 20:00

You’re projecting your own teeth issues onto other people. Unless someone’s teeth are utterly horrendous, I can’t say I take much notice.

layback · 20/06/2025 19:58

Their teeth did not affect the care they delivered but made me question their health

OP posts:
layback · 20/06/2025 19:58

It was the most similar photo I could find but that's how the front teeth looked. It was a man actually, not a woman.

not fixated just interested in opinions.

I have many hobbies luckily!

OP posts:
XenoBitch · 20/06/2025 19:56

layback · 20/06/2025 19:52

It was like this

That is the back of someone's teeth.
And how did their teeth affect the care they delivered you?

saltinesandcoffeecups · 20/06/2025 19:55

You are weirdly fixated on this woman’s teeth and over invested in proving to everyone that you are right on the subject.

Perhaps a new hobby is in order 🤷‍♀️

layback · 20/06/2025 19:54

The £8000 was over five years! I had no holidays, new clothes, social life, every penny went to my dental work. It wasn't cosmetic, it was needed work, to save my teeth. There was no choice.

OP posts:
layback · 20/06/2025 19:52

It was like this

Are you surprised when someone in a professional role has bad teeth
OP posts:
SeanMean · 20/06/2025 19:43

I would be v surprised and I would definitely judge but I always notice teeth.

I wouldn’t actually say something though!

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