Can you get over bad teeth when potentially dating someone?

[HulaHoopz]

I feel terrible and shallow but... I've recently reconnected with someone I used to see a lot when I was younger. Nothing ever materialised but we recently connected on social media. After exchanging a few recent photos.. he sent me one of him smiling and omg his teeth... he's missing a fair few, yellow, crooked and broken...

I always liked him and never recall him having bad teeth... but they're really noticeable and I don't want it to put me off but they do....

Is there anyway getting past bad teeth when you're dating when it's an otherwise really lovely guy who you know would treat you really well?.....

I couldn't get past it. Not just the fact he has bad teeth but also what I'd read into that.

Firstly, it looks unattractive.

Secondly, I'd worry about bad breath and vile-tasting kisses.

Thirdly, the fact he sent you a photo with them out and proud would make me think he doesn't see his teeth as an issue which would make me think he has no self-pride.

Fourthly, I'd wonder what his lifestyle is like to get his teeth into that state in the first place. At best, a smoker with poor oral hygiene. That's bad enough. But, potentially alcohol or drug abuse.

No, set your standards higher.

It’s a sad state the NHS dentistry is in now days. Like the other posters I inherited bad teeth from my Dad. I remember he lost most of his by his 30’s. In comparison I have done quite well, but I have had nearly 30 years of root treatments, extractions and chronic nerve pain. I did get veneer’s but one side snapped off with a broken tooth a few years ago and I wasn’t able to afford to get it fixed. I now have a gap on one side past my canines. I have spent thousands over the years on dental treatment and am still in pain. Nice to know I’m also being judged.

You know how dental insurance companies make sure their (potential) new customers sort out their teeth before they take them on...🙃

And no. I'm not suggesting blinding Turkey teeth... just a full set without the yucky smelly plaque...and make him commit to a dental hygenist visit every 6 months too!

Nope 💯

@TwistedWonder It's such an awful look isn't it, like a caricature of themselves. Usually with orange skin too

Shallow it may be, but bad teeth is one of the things I couldn't get past.

I was going to ask how bad until I read the OP.

No! I couldn’t get past this and I certainly wouldn’t be wanting to snog them!

Having really terrible teeth in mid-life indicates a lack of self care or a lack of money, neither of which is attractive in a potential mate.

I had to google this, as never heard the term. I thought 'hmm, I didn't think Turkeys had teeth!' 😆

I dated a guy briefly who smoked and had bad breath. In the light one day, I noticed his teeth has a green tinge to them- I wanted to vomit! It was revolting and we broke up that day- there were other issues too, but I was really gross and out me off.

He might have a genetic predisposition to root resorption or something like that.

Fine not to find his teeth attractive but it isn't necessarily a hygiene or lifestyle issue.

I would find turkey teeth such a massive turn off.

His teeth revolt you. Move on.

If it were online and you'd never met him and didn't know anything about him, I'd say absolutely not.

I have a good colleague whose teeth are terrible, ex-smoker, gaps, terrible colour and he would look quite handsome if he had them done.

You do know this guy though, so it might be worth going out for a coffee and a catch up and seeing how you feel. I have to say I would make it a household priority to get the teeth fixed both for health reasons and cosmetically if you did get together.

It's a no from me.

You can fix teeth, you can't fix a nasty person. I'd probably give it a whirl, it might be the first thing he says when you meet is that he's on a waiting list for dental treatment or has saved up for this next year. It would put me off though, can't lie.

No I couldn't.

I’m glad people have responded this way, as now you can’t moan when a man says he’d be put off by someone flat chested, or someone fat, or with a big nose. Because these would be legitimate repulsion’s to him, and nothing shallow whatsoever, because who wants to grab handfuls of fat when they are horny, or play with non existent breasts? For those who want to jump in saying those things can’t be changed, what does that matter? How is that a legitimate point? Besides that, they can be changed, but often someone doesn’t have the willpower, or the money, to change them. Everyone is attractive to someone. Bad teeth can be a result of many different things, from genetics, to trauma to the mouth, smoking, poor hygiene. Judge not lest ye be judged

No. Small breasts etc don't indicate a lack of personal hygiene. I'd be repulsed by awful teeth.

I think I agree with this. Crooked but clean and well cared for I think I could deal with.

dirty and then probably smelly is an absolute no. If they are broken it sounds like he doesn’t go to the dentist so again that would be a no from me.

As stated, bad teeth are not always the result of poor hygiene, not remotely. You can’t state that a man who is repulsed by small breasts is worse than you, because you have immediately been repulsed by someone’s teeth and then decided it’s down to poor hygeine

I dont need perfection but what you describe rightly or wrongly would 💯 put me off

I think it would be off putting and hard to get over but you’ll only know by meeting up with him and seeing how things go.

It's perfectly acceptable for someone to decide they don't want to be with someone with small breasts. Ditto, someone too short, fat, stupid. It's all down to personal preference and that's OK.

No .

This is entirely down to lifestyle, choices,. behaviour.

No, get off my back. Off you go.

It's about choices re what he eats, about cleaning teeth, regular checkups, taking action when needed.

This all speaks to lack of self care, lack of adulting, lack of care over the impact he has on others.

This can then have long term implications for his general health, pleasantness to be around, and possible lack of care for others by extension.

No, never

This shows your ignorance. A friend of mine had her jaw broken, which resulted in wear to the teeth, broken teeth, and genetically they were already yellowed. She hates her teeth, but she’s beautiful inside and out. It would cost a lost to repair her teeth.