Do some Americans really think we have bad teeth?

In an episode of "The Simpsons" a dentist shows Ralf a book of British smiles, all of which are terrible. This must be based on an American stereotype, so why does it exist. We have very good teeth in the UK, in fact, we might have the best teeth in Europe.

Do some Americans really think we have bad teeth?
It is sad but true, many Americans believe the British have "bad" teeth. I think it is because some of the British people we have seen have really yellow teeth. I know that is not the case as I have several friends in the UK. It is also believed ( I don't know if it is true or not ), that flouride is not added to the water in the UK as it is here in the US. It just shows the ignorance and misconceptions that people get carried away with.
Reply:I couldn't give a f- what the americans think.
Reply:We don't have Hollywood teeth, which is what they're probably poking fun at (Hollywood, not us).
Reply:Yes it's a stereotype that some of them think is true. After all our stereotype of them is that they are all insular and know nothing about the outside world! Oh !
Reply:My teeth are appalling. Mind you I had a heavy amphetamine habit in the nineties.
Reply:American have some very strange ideas about Europe. I saw one being interviewed on what was the best thing about London and she said the Eiffel Tower!! DUH
Reply:I think they do. On Family Guy (greatest show ever btw) the english ones always have crappy teeth.





Hey, its only a bit of fun tho. We portray americans as fat slobs, so they get what they give :)
Reply:You could have stopped your question at "think"...


Of course many Brits have bad teeth - its partly due to: crap like Coca Cola, Pepsi, etc...
Reply:They do have this stigma attached to us that we have bad teeth I even thought about weather my teeth were perfect before I went over there!. But when I went to the states I saw allot of people whose teeth weren't great so I figured it's the same everywhere the best cosmetic dentistry isn't affordable for all %26amp; people that can't afford the best Dentist don't have the best teeth (unless they don't need dental work).
Reply:It's a stereotype. And like most stereotypes, it has little truth. Personally I have very good dental hygiene and nice white teeth. But then again I do brush them 2 or 3 times a day. But then I know people who have awful teeth. I've seen Americans on TV, some with good teeth, some with bad teeth. The Simpson's is good for a laugh, but that's all it is, I wouldn't be too offended by it if I were you.
Reply:I think the only teeth you can be accountable for are your teeth. What ever you see in a cartoon should be just that...a cartoon! Just folly!
Reply:I think it's based on old film references from the 60's %26amp; 70's.


As a way to combat tooth decay, the Uk brought in Flouride to the water system back in the late seventies/early eighties.





Even today, I have been to the States, and have seen plenty of Americans with bad teeth. Mind you none compare to some of the Eastern Block teeth.





I believe it's generally termed as a class thing. Upper/middle classes now have better teeth. Lower classes have worse teeth. It also costs a lot of money to get teeth like the ones in Hollywood.. Very few are real, and they all get painted regularly. No-ones teeth are that white naturally.
Reply:Wouldn't worry about it............one things certain though .....we havent got enough teeth to fill their gobs!
Reply:The british booze and smoke too much. And they eat too many sweets. That could be the reason for many having bad teeth.
Reply:At least you have teeth. Alot of Americans from the South do not.
Reply:You really shouldn't base your worldview on cartoon shows.
Reply:It's as stereotypical as us thinking that all americans are lard a r s e s! i think we have a point :O)
Reply:I think every country in the world refers to the british as people with bad teeth.





I was in the middle of East Africa once and had that said to me by a local!
Reply:NO, It's a comical stereotype occasionally used in entertainment (i.e. Austin Powers)





We know there is no legitimate basis for it.





Don't flatter yourselves, I don't know a soul that has ever cared enough to make fun of a Brit's teeth.
Reply:There was some study a few years back that purported that the British have poor dental hygiene. I did not see the Simpsons episode but perhaps that's the reason for the parody.
Reply:lol. Yes. Sorry. But you guys think all 300 million of us are stupid and obese, so....ya know. :/



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