Becky G.
"Shower" had just dropped, and it was the first time I’d seen a celebrity with a gap tooth- like me. I had always loved my gap tooth, and despite not seeing it on TV often, I was never insecure about it either. There was nothing to be insecure about. It was just a space between the two front teeth, and it was pretty.
However, while I still love my gap tooth, I've recently learned that there are many people out there who do not feel like dancing when they see their own gap tooth in the mirror.
The Science of Gapped Teeth
Gapped teeth, the medical term being a diastema, is a gap or space that can be in between any two teeth. The gap I'm specifically referring to in this post is the one that happens to be right between the upper two front teeth.
There are many different causes for this gap tooth, but it is not typically harmful. In fact, there is medical research out there supporting the idea that gap teeth can be hereditary, especially since teeth and jawbone sizes can be genetic. Both of my parents have gap teeth as well as both of my siblings, so this isn't such an outlandish idea.
I realize that this background information may not be enough to vanquish the insecurities that often come with having gap teeth. While I still stand by the fact that gap teeth are beautiful, I will say that there are options that can be pursued to close or lessen these diastemas. Some of these options include veneers, plates, braces, or even surgery to remove the tissue that causes the gap. If this path seems desirable, you should speak to your orthodontist about what might be best for you.
The Side Effects of Gapped Teeth
While gapped teeth are not physically harmful, they may have certain societal side effects attached to them that are arguably harmful.
Growing up, roasting and "burns" were popular at many school tables- whether they were in the classroom or cafeteria. In these brutal assaults, "funny" or, more accurately, unique features (such as gap teeth ;)) were often great sources of ammo. Yes, this is just kids having fun, but I can't seem to remember a time when someone got roasted for having a button nose. There are reasons behind why certain things are made fun and certain things are not. Here's the most common one:
It's different.
The Beauty of Gapped Teeth
The Nigerian home I grew up in didn't allow for me to grow insecurities in my gap tooth, because, in many African countries, it is considered a beautiful feature to have. In fact, some women in Nigeria go to get a gap filed into their teeth as a fashion look. Seriously! I even watched a YouTube video about it. I definitely cringed while watching it, but it was very interesting to see how beauty standards change as we move around the world.
Gap teeth are also very popular in the modeling industry, where unique features thrive. In May 2020, Nandi Howard at Essence dedicated an entire article to black models with "Unconventional Smiles", each of them sporting a gap tooth.
Additionally, these diastemas also have astrological significance. In AstroTalk's "Is Front Teeth Gap a Sign of Good Luck?" posted by Sneha Sinha, the front gap between the teeth is described as "a sign of good luck. Astrologers believe that like moles even the tooth gap is fortuitous."
In Conclusion...
I find all [non-harmful] gaps beautiful. It makes me sad that gap teeth are often used as advertising material for dentist clinics and roasting material at the cafeteria lunch table when there's nothing wrong with them. After seeing many people, especially black people, voice the insecurities that they have in their gap tooth, I just knew that I had to write about it.
This is for you, my gap-toothed black damsels.
Signed,
a black damsel
Additional Sources
Photo
(mine)
Disclaimer: I am not a scientist or health expert (though I hope to be in the future). Just sharing what I've learned from the most reliable sources I could find. :)
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