Are gap teeth attractive?

[BostonTink85]

Definitely not attractive. Teeth are a big thing with me, if they're discolored/crooked its a big turnoff.

 

[DISUNC]

I'm not much of a "gap/non gap tooth" sorta guy!
There are other parts I find more desirable!

 

[JVL1018]

I voted unattractive because I was thinking of the girl from CSI, I don't think she is pretty at all..but a gap tooth in general, it depends on the person, some are cute, some are not, little gaps usually are cute.
My dentist actually has a pretty big gap between his front teeth. LOL I think he's pretty handsome.

I have no room to talk anyway, my teeth didn't have a gap, but they are/were crooked-I finally got braces when I was 35 years old because I hated looking in the mirror, I still have 5 months to go in them.

 

[HugsForEeyore]

I was kind of surprised to see so many "no" votes. I really hope that we can get to the point someday where a persons beauty is not measured by the gap in their teeth or the shape of their body, but, instead the quality of their soul.

What a waste of time it is to judge on such minuscule things.

And no...I don't have a gap in my teeth.

In an ideal world, I agree; Wish the world could work that way.

I grew up in a family that claimed to believe this "it's whats on the inside that counts" sentiment (probably because my parents needed justification for not spending $$$$ on braces for me! ). I had lousy, ugly teeth. Well, after many years of being teased, having no dates, bombing job interviews or getting jobs and never advancing, I finally woke up and learned - like it or not, appearances matter greatly. For whatever reason, simply having a lousy smile can limit a person in so many ways. So a few years back, I spent all my savings on surgery and over 3 years of braces; and got a normal smile. And surprise - I finally got a good job for the 1st time in my life; and everyone treats me better all the way around; and I stopped being teased! Amazing! Wish I woke up sooner.

So to answer the poll - a noticable large gap should be fixed. Appearances matter so much. And unfortunately, status and class are tied to the appearance of the teeth, and a gap could be seen as "low class" (not saying it's right, just the way it is in many geographical areas, and in many professions.).

 

[HugsForEeyore]

I voted unattractive because I was thinking of the girl from CSI, I don't think she is pretty at all..but a gap tooth in general, it depends on the person, some are cute, some are not, little gaps usually are cute.
My dentist actually has a pretty big gap between his front teeth. LOL I think he's pretty handsome.

I have no room to talk anyway, my teeth didn't have a gap, but they are/were crooked-I finally got braces when I was 35 years old because I hated looking in the mirror, I still have 5 months to go in them.

Hang in there! I got braces a couple of days after I turned 33, and got them off when I was 36. I had them for on for 39 months! BEST THING I ever did for myself was fixing my crooked teeth. I love the result, and I still admire my smile in the mirror! And I still faithfully wear my retainers every other night.

 

[crzyred]

As long as the gap isn't like missing teeth gap, then whatever. I guess I never gave it much thought. The first thing I notice about someone is their smile, so I have no idea why I don't pay more attention to this! But I don't.

I think each person's smile reflects who that person is.

 

[Magickndm]

I always get distracted by Madonna's gap. Hers is just way too big to me. Obviously she has no problem with it though, so good for her.

 

[Charade]

I think a healthy smile is attractive, gap or not. What isn't attractive is that generic, overwhite, Hollywood smile where all the teeth are the same length and veneer perfect. Ick. A little bit of imperfection is endearing and human.

No kidding! Whenever I see somene (like Robin on GMA) I start to reach for my sunglasses!! Our teeth were never meant to be that white or bright. However not green like in POTC either.

 

[Charade]

I'm not much of a "gap/non gap tooth" sorta guy!
There are other parts I find more desirable!

(stop now before I get more points...)

 

[MzDiz]

I never gave it much thought. Now when a person has really, REALLY nasty teeth, that's another story. I used to have a booth at the renaissance festival - you wanna see bad teeth, that's where they all are! There was a guy that we called "ant teeth" because it literally looked like he had ants digging holes in his teeth. Then there was green teeth guy... but I won't go there.

Gaps? Nah, after the ren fair, gaps don't even register with me.

 

[PaulaSue]

I have a gap in my teeth but I could care less what others think. There is so much more in life to worry about.

 

[PatsGirl]

This is a conversation I often have with DD. She has a little gap in a mouthful of gorgeous white healthy teeth but she hates it. There is no way I am paying for braces for something that makes her a little different from everyone else. I think that a gap is one of those things that makes us individuals and I always compare this to Cindy Crawford and the fact that she didn't remove her "beauty mark" smack dab on her face!

I feel very strongly AGAINST all these pre-teens wearing braces for teeth that are just fine. Braces, perms/straighteners/colorings, push-up bras ~~ these are things for adults, not children. Of course, if your child NEEDS braces, either because cosmetically they are real bad or they are necessary, fine.. but have you looked around? Every one of DDs friends has braces!

Someday we'll have a bunch of Stepford Wives!!! I am doing my best to bring up DD to rebel against the standards of beauty. That being said, she is lucky -- she was born beautiful -- not just to me, lol. Now if I can convince her that natural beauty is something to show off and be proud of maybe she'll save hundreds on make-up

 

[missypie]

OP, so funny you should ask that question yesterday of all days. Yesterday my 15 year old had braces put on to fix the small gap between her two front teeth. For years the dentist has saidthat when her incisors dropped down, they would push the teeth together. But that didn't happen. So at an age when most of her friends are getting their braces off, she is just getting them. But her problem is so minor that the ortho said she'll only have braces for 15 months.

My daughter has a classic, traditional beauty (DH's side of the family)-blue eyes, blonde hair, little upturned nose. The gap was the only thing a bit quirky about her looks. I never would have made her wear braces to fix it, but she has wanted "no gap" for years.

 

[missypie]

I feel very strongly AGAINST all these pre-teens wearing braces for teeth that are just fine. Braces, perms/straighteners/colorings, push-up bras ~~ these are things for adults, not children. Of course, if your child NEEDS braces, either because cosmetically they are real bad or they are necessary, fine.. but have you looked around? Every one of DDs friends has braces!

Someday we'll have a bunch of Stepford Wives!!! I am doing my best to bring up DD to rebel against the standards of beauty. That being said, she is lucky -- she was born beautiful -- not just to me, lol. Now if I can convince her that natural beauty is something to show off and be proud of maybe she'll save hundreds on make-up

I agree (even though I just posted that I indulged my daughter's desire to get rid of her gap). She is interested in broadcast journalism, so she might one day actually need perfect teeth. But I'm with you on EVERYONE these days (in the US) getting braces. One of my friends-who is 53-just got braces. Her front teeth were pushing out just a smidge. Get real-she's never going to be a movie star, or be on TV or be a model....why can't her teeth push out just a smidge?

 

[jenm2878]

Huh. I have a small gap between my front teeth, which are otherwise straight and clean. (white, but not over white) I didn't realize it was so disturbing to other people? It honestly never occurred to me to be self conscience about it. It hasn't bothered me for 30 years, it's not going to start bothering me now.

 

[EMom]

This is a conversation I often have with DD. She has a little gap in a mouthful of gorgeous white healthy teeth but she hates it. There is no way I am paying for braces for something that makes her a little different from everyone else. I think that a gap is one of those things that makes us individuals and I always compare this to Cindy Crawford and the fact that she didn't remove her "beauty mark" smack dab on her face!

I feel very strongly AGAINST all these pre-teens wearing braces for teeth that are just fine. Braces, perms/straighteners/colorings, push-up bras ~~ these are things for adults, not children. Of course, if your child NEEDS braces, either because cosmetically they are real bad or they are necessary, fine.. but have you looked around? Every one of DDs friends has braces!

Someday we'll have a bunch of Stepford Wives!!! I am doing my best to bring up DD to rebel against the standards of beauty. That being said, she is lucky -- she was born beautiful -- not just to me, lol. Now if I can convince her that natural beauty is something to show off and be proud of maybe she'll save hundreds on make-up

I don't know how old your DD is, but I had a gap until I was probably 11-ish. Then as more teeth came in, it closed and there is no gap at all now. Wait it out.

 

[KristiKelly]

Depends on the gap. If it's big enough that you can fit a hotdog through - no not so much. If it's just a small gap, that doesn't bother me.

DD8 has a gap between her front teeth. I think it's adorable. It is starting to close some as new teeth are coming in.

 

[zalansky]

As a 39 year old who is just now coming out of braces after TWO LONG YEARS....I have to say that I notice teeth in a big way also. Obviously, I wouldn't have put myself through this if I didn't think it was important. I didn't have a gap, just some overcrowded teeth and i wanted them perfect. It was a long hard road, but the tops just came off this week and the bottoms will follow in a few more. Worth every penny and every embarrassing stare I got as an "older woman" with braces.

 

[Charade]

As a 39 year old who is just now coming out of braces after TWO LONG YEARS....I have to say that I notice teeth in a big way also. Obviously, I wouldn't have put myself through this if I didn't think it was important. I didn't have a gap, just some overcrowded teeth and i wanted them perfect. It was a long hard road, but the tops just came off this week and the bottoms will follow in a few more. Worth every penny and every embarrassing stare I got as an "older woman" with braces.

That's a long time to stay out the ocean. Barracudas and all...

 

[lillielil]

I used to have one, but lost it in the process of moving all my teeth around. I miss it! My brother got to keep his because his teeth were otherwise perfect. Grrr.