Would you date someone with missing teeth?

[Claddinghell]

Went on a date with a really nice guy. Ticked boxes and was attracted to him. However he had teeth missing. His top front tooth and few teeth towards the front. Very noticeable, but the cresting his teeth were white a like after. His pictures online had no pictures showing his teeth.

I told him a story of a tooth abscess during lockdown 1 when everything was closed. Told him that I had to get massive repair when everything opened. Thought this might provoke a conversation on his teeth. Sort of I had an accident they are getting fixed. But nothing.

My teeth are not the best and I do have a back tooth missing due to injury with a cherry pip and failed root canal.

Wouid you continue to date. It’s really noticeable

I'm glad to read on here not everyone is so shallow about teeth.

I have most of my upper left missing due to a severe infection that got into my jaw and so now jaw bone either. Implants aren't an option for and the plate I had just didn't fit well because I also have a misaligned jaw.

I can't afford implants. I've been offered a single false plate for the tooth near the front missing but it's £800. A bridge is £700. Per tooth. 3 teeth.

Not everyone has money like that to spare.

I hate my teeth and I never smile in photos. I hate how they look.

It's really hurtful to hear there are others out there that would judge me without getting to know me about my personality and wealth and ability to afford life based on that one fact.

Especially on a forum aimed at mums. We spend so much time fighting the Sm image of a perfect woman. We shouldn't be doing it to men.

I'm a woman btw. And single. And people judging me for my teeth is one of the reason I won't go on dates. Seems my worse fears may be realised in many cases

No. Dh has really good teeth, it’s one of the first things that I noticed about him.

I'd be worried that it indicated a general level of self neglect, and it could also indicate some serious health concerns.

DH has got terrible teeth, and they've only got worse with age. I'd been nagging him for months to go to the dentist as he had dreadful breath. Turns out that a rampaging infection had left a hole that developed in his upper gum/roof of his mouth. As a result, he's had extensive surgery and treatment. His breath is still literally toe curling from across the room

Honestly, this soon in, I'd think twice.

@itsgettingweird

I'm glad to read on here not everyone is so shallow about teeth.

I have most of my upper left missing due to a severe infection that got into my jaw and so now jaw bone either. Implants aren't an option for and the plate I had just didn't fit well because I also have a misaligned jaw.

I can't afford implants. I've been offered a single false plate for the tooth near the front missing but it's £800. A bridge is £700. Per tooth. 3 teeth.

Not everyone has money like that to spare.

I hate my teeth and I never smile in photos. I hate how they look.

It's really hurtful to hear there are others out there that would judge me without getting to know me about my personality and wealth and ability to afford life based on that one fact.

Especially on a forum aimed at mums. We spend so much time fighting the Sm image of a perfect woman. We shouldn't be doing it to men.

I'm a woman btw. And single. And people judging me for my teeth is one of the reason I won't go on dates. Seems my worse fears may be realised in many cases

Dreadful isnt it. I find this forum unbelievably toxic at times

Can't believe you tried to open a conversation about his teeth. Why do that?

Ops thread I'd unkind. I have a thing about teeth. Your entitled OP though... did he call you for the 2nd date? Is there anything you liked about him?

Poor bugger indeed

@GivenchyDahhling

Absolutely not. Total dealbreaker. You can get implants everywhere now for a few grand so no excuses.

Yeah because everyone has a few grand for implants. One of my sons is missing a tooth, he has asd and severe dental phobia. Another has like half a tooth, like a fang. Dentists wouldn’t remove as it was healthy. The other has lovely teeth, but one of his front teeth grew in crooked, it’s straight but the edge is an angle. I’ve got terrible teeth, very poor enamel and lost a lot. Luckily none of us is with someone who judges first appearances over the person.

I’ve got missing back teeth and fake front teeth but people don’t notice.

I know a lovely chap with two missing teeth, he’s really attractive apart from that. I would date him and would eventually ask him fill the gaps.

It might not be down to poor care, I have a bridge because I have two teeth (lateral incisors) that just didn't grow.

If it falls out I will have it replaced, rather than be gappy, but it does irk me that it counts as cosmetic, puts my other teeth more at risk, and I have to pay £1000s when it isn't my fault!

I don't understand why people don't get them fixed ? Is it money?
I'm blessed with great teeth so luckily haven't dealt with it but went with my elderly mum the other day to sort implants and there are loads of options !

I hate missing teeth but each to their own .

@Nomad916

Dentures are available on the NHS though & not as expensive as implants if he went privately.

Not everyone has access to an NHS dentist.

The one in our town closed last month and the nearest one that's taking on patients is well over an hour away.

@gunnersgold

I don't understand why people don't get them fixed ? Is it money? I'm blessed with great teeth so luckily haven't dealt with it but went with my elderly mum the other day to sort implants and there are loads of options !

I hate missing teeth but each to their own .

Money Dental phobia Other health issues that mean that certain types of dental care won't work long-term Lack of access to an NHS dentist

My ex had rotten teeth... had only like 4 on top and they were Crooked and black... was in such a low place mentally when I started dating him. I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder & all but when I look at pictures of him I cringe. Now married to a man who has perfect teeth so perfect people comment how perfect they are lol 😂.
I guess it's person preference.
Mine are minging like cracked a side one on a bloody mento during lockdown.

@itsgettingweird

I'm glad to read on here not everyone is so shallow about teeth.

I have most of my upper left missing due to a severe infection that got into my jaw and so now jaw bone either. Implants aren't an option for and the plate I had just didn't fit well because I also have a misaligned jaw.

I can't afford implants. I've been offered a single false plate for the tooth near the front missing but it's £800. A bridge is £700. Per tooth. 3 teeth.

Not everyone has money like that to spare.

I hate my teeth and I never smile in photos. I hate how they look.

It's really hurtful to hear there are others out there that would judge me without getting to know me about my personality and wealth and ability to afford life based on that one fact.

Especially on a forum aimed at mums. We spend so much time fighting the Sm image of a perfect woman. We shouldn't be doing it to men.

I'm a woman btw. And single. And people judging me for my teeth is one of the reason I won't go on dates. Seems my worse fears may be realised in many cases

Please don't get too upset.

IRL I know people whose teeth are in all sorts of conditions and it doesn't seem to have held them back in any way.

I hate how horrible MN can be about teeth - all sorts of unavoidable medical issues can cause poor teeth, and any of us could end up in a position where we can't afford dental care, even on the NHS it's not cheap.

We can't even access an NHS dentist in our town - the one we did have closed down and none of the nearest ones are taking on new patients.

My partner does not have any teeth at all. We had been together for a year before I found out he had false teeth. The full set. I phoned his son to check he was telling the truth. We have been together for 15 years and I still have not seen him without his teeth in.

It's nothing to do with having a toxic attitude. It's about personal preferences.

I have four friends that have difficulties getting partners. One has a weird habit that is too revolting to describe here and the other three have bad teeth. All three would look so much better if they sorted out their teeth and shallow as it is, they would get dates too. Like the OP described, when they have their mouth shut they look lovely and I have seen people seem interested. They then open their mouth and that interest visibly dissolves. It's just the way it is but nobody (including me) would advise they go to a cosmetic dentist.

Bit shallow, no?

If it's not for you, it's not for you. I wasn't into short guys with fair hair. DP is both. There's more to him than physical attributes.

DP also has dreadful teeth. He takes excellent care of them, regular dentist visits, and he's very financially solvent, so money is far from the issue. A genetic issue with his enamel is, and implants won't take for the same reason. He didn't get on with a plate, so he just goes around "as is".

I would hate that someone looked at him and wrote him off for something outwith his control if he was on the dating scene. I doubt he'd give much of a fuck mind you!

I lost a tooth due to chemo. Glad I don't have a shallow DH

@GivenchyDahhling

Absolutely not. Total dealbreaker. You can get implants everywhere now for a few grand so no excuses.

I have a missing front tooth. I can't get an implant because the problem was with my bone/ gum and not the actual tooth.

I need to have 2 more healthy teeth removed in order to get a denture. Honestly, it isn't that simple.

Plus, not everyone has a spare grand for something that is essentially cosmetic.

Some people don't even realise their privilege and its showing in this thread.

I see it's the usual suspects being superior, as per . . .

Haha lot’s of the super wealthy on this thread as always! 🙄
It’s around £2500 PER TOOTH to be replaced, my DH broke the bottom half of his tooth off on holiday last year and we haven’t been able to justify the money to fix it yet, it’s a front one two to the left from the middle it’s not great aesthetically but it doesn’t cause him any trouble or pain so it’s fairly low on the priority list for spending a couple of grand on at the moment to be honest!

Yeah, I couldn’t date someone with obvious missing teeth, or just dirty/bad conditioned teeth in general. It’s a fundamental aspect of personal hygiene and taking adult responsibility for one’s health.

Maybe a back tooth waiting to get fixed but front teeth missing, no.

I honestly think you should have asked him about it outright, because he might be blissfully aware of how off-putting it is and just have his head in the sand about getting it fixed.

It does sound as though crowns might be an option, which you can get on the NHS rather than full frontal implants. Or maybe he just has very poor teeth but he should try and do something about them before his face caves in (which is what happens because you lose bone density once your teeth are gone).

I also couldn't be seen with someone with teeth like that, I have a professional job and it would probably be so bad for my professional image I would lose work. If that sounds callous, I don't particularly care. Its just facts.

How old was he?

I would find it off putting. Teeth and dental hygiene are really important to me so I'm not sure I could continue dating someone like that.

@ZealAndArdour

Yeah, I couldn’t date someone with obvious missing teeth, or just dirty/bad conditioned teeth in general. It’s a fundamental aspect of personal hygiene and taking adult responsibility for one’s health.

Not all dental issues are the result of poor hygiene

Many are down to genetics or illnesses - you can do all the dental care in the world and still have poor teeth.