Bad Teeth: What's the fucking deal?

[Samurai_Jerk]

Yeah, yeah, I know it's a cliche and we've all talked about it before. But lately I've really been wondering what the deal is with dental hygiene here. I'm not saying that the Japanese have to be as anal as Americans about having perfectly straight white teeth and I've heard, accept, and understand all the cultural arguments but why is this the only place in the developed world where the population hasn't been convinced to take care of their teeth? Especially considering how obsessed the Japanese are with appearance in general. It almost seems like there's been a conspiracy to keep them ignorant on the subject. I wonder if the J-gov is actually anti-dentist for some reason.

[Amanojakuu]

I've wondered this in the past. My teeth were certainly in the worst condition they've been in after a year here last time... So perhaps it's down to the lack of flouride in the water, lower flouride content in the toothpaste, and something to do with the diet? There's quite a bit of 'sweet' content in a Japanese diet vs other countries....

[dimwit]

The uniquely sticky white rice does wonders for exacerbating tooth decay. It does so in too ways. First it is so deficient in minerals. In addition it is far more prone to get lodged between you teeth.

[hundefar]

why is this the only place in the developed world where the population hasn't been convinced to take care of their teeth?

You forgot about the UK.

[Samurai_Jerk]

You forgot about the UK.

I figured someone would bring the UK up. It's definitely not true anymore. Most Brits I've met have decent teeth.

[Greji]

I figured someone would bring the UK up. It's definitely not true anymore. Most Brits I've met have decent teeth.

Hey, mine aren't bad either, if you don't believe me I can send 'em over to you to have a look for yer ownself.....

[Taro Toporific]

.... a conspiracy to keep them ignorant on the subject. I wonder if the J-gov is actually anti-dentist for some reason.

Dentistry is a criminal activity in Japan.
That is, Japanese dentists feel they are underpaid by the national heath insurance per procedure so they increase the number procedures to make up for their perceived loss. For example, treating a cavity in Japan takes 4 or 5 visits rather than 1 or 2 in the real world. Of course, fucking around with teeth for 4 or 5 visits is iatrogenic---the more the dentist mucks around, the worse the treated tooth gets.

(Also, many Japanese people are super whimps about pain so they avoid dental treatments until it's too late.)

[hundefar]

I figured someone would bring the UK up. It's definitely not true anymore.

I'll have to disagree on that one.

[IkemenTommy]

What I learned in my university's second-year Japanese course was that since all Japanese people look the same (black hair, brown/dark eyes, short height, bow-legged, pigeon-toed, cross-eyed, fat daikon legsged, etc) the only way to "distinguish" from one another is by those ugly bust up grill teeth and/or big fat booger moles on their noses and they won't do shit to fix them. Sadly, it's 2009 and a lot of people still have that same post-WWII mentality.

[Samurai_Jerk]

What I learned in my university's second-year Japanese course was that since all Japanese people look the same (black hair, brown/dark eyes, short height, bow-legged, pigeon-toed, cross-eyed, fat daikon legsged, etc) the only way to "distinguish" from one another is by those ugly bust up grill teeth and/or big fat booger moles on their noses and they won't do shit to fix them. Sadly, it's 2009 and a lot of people still have that same post-WWII mentality.

That's about the dumbest thing I've ever heard.

[IkemenTommy]

This thread really has no merit, in itself either so what's your point?

[MrUltimateGaijin]

that fact many japanese smiles look like smashed pianos doesnt give them much motivation,

[IkemenTommy]

that fact many japanese smiles look like smashed pianos doesnt give them much motivation,

Is that why they always cover up their mouth with their hand when they open it while they talk or laugh?

[Ketou]

I've wondered this in the past. My teeth were certainly in the worst condition they've been in after a year here last time... So perhaps it's down to the lack of flouride in the water, lower flouride content in the toothpaste, and something to do with the diet? There's quite a bit of 'sweet' content in a Japanese diet vs other countries....

The case for water fluoridation actually having any benefit is pretty slim.

The question certainly is a hard one though....social factors possibly.

[Samurai_Jerk]

This thread really has no merit, in itself either so what's your point?

I meant that way of thinking is retarded not your post.

[Coligny]

Dude I had 2 dentist since i'm in me little town... first one was keeping me for 3 hours straight. I was usually passing out from the pain at least once or twice per visit...

Second one... around 10 minutes per visit, fast, efficient, painless. With boner inducing nurses. That were actually more friendly before my wife told them I was coming here just because I found them cute.

Even without the nurses... I prefer when it's quick.

[IkemenTommy]

[IkemenTommy]

[Western All Stars]

I think it's because Japanese don't floss, and Japanese dentists don't urge their patients to either. The price is also 3 to 4 times that of the US because the demand is so low.

Every Jgirl I ever dated I had to teach how to floss for the first time.

[Iraira]

Every Jgirl I ever dated I had to teach how to floss for the first time.

With your pubes, I hope.

[Mock Cockpit]

I think you're a bit out of touch with what's happening SJ. They're not as anal about it as some other countries but the kids are certainly having their teeth looked after better than in the past. At my kid's school they have them checked pretty regularly and awards are given for the kids with the best teeth. I'm also seeing young kids (7-8 years old) with the corrective plates and there are certainly plenty of high school kids with braces.
Last time I went to the dentist (last year) he said I had a small cavity and asked if I wanted it fixed on the spot or did I want to come back so of course I had it done straight away. That joint was first class, everything was spic and span, modern as hell. Couldn't ask for better.
As with everything in Japan though ymmv.

[Samurai_Jerk]

I think you're a bit out of touch with what's happening SJ. They're not as anal about it as some other countries but the kids are certainly having their teeth looked after better than in the past. At my kid's school they have them checked pretty regularly and awards are given for the kids with the best teeth. I'm also seeing young kids (7-8 years old) with the corrective plates and there are certainly plenty of high school kids with braces.
Last time I went to the dentist (last year) he said I had a small cavity and asked if I wanted it fixed on the spot or did I want to come back so of course I had it done straight away. That joint was first class, everything was spic and span, modern as hell. Couldn't ask for better.
As with everything in Japan though ymmv.

I'm single and live and work in central Tokyo so I don't spend much time around kids anymore. I do see more with braces but there are still plenty of kids with fucked up teeth and even if your teeth are crooked as an adult you can still get them cleaned and do something about the ones that are rotten and black. I go to a good dentist too but there are also still a lot of them that will force you to do multiple visits.

[Mock Cockpit]

I'm single and live and work in central Tokyo so I don't spend much time around kids anymore. I do see more with braces but there are still plenty of kids with fucked up teeth and even if your teeth are crooked as an adult you can still get them cleaned and do something about the ones that are rotten and black. I go to a good dentist too but there are also still a lot of them that will force you to do multiple visits.

I just asked the missus and apparently the kids get a proper dental check at school once a year plus another dental hygiene class. When my missus went to school they had nothing and she has a mouth full of metal now. They're coming from a low base here I guess.

[AssKissinger]

Dentistry is a criminal activity in Japan.
That is, Japanese dentists feel they are underpaid by the national heath insurance per procedure so they increase the number procedures to make up for their perceived loss. For example, treating a cavity in Japan takes 4 or 5 visits rather than 1 or 2 in the real world. Of course, fucking around with teeth for 4 or 5 visits is iatrogenic---the more the dentist mucks around, the worse the treated tooth gets.

(Also, many Japanese people are super whimps about pain so they avoid dental treatments until it's too late.)

One time I was at the dentist in Japan and I decided goddamnit this shit is getting ridiculous and I stopped them right in the middle of what they were doing (which was just a cleaning that never seemed to end) and said fuck it don't touch my teeth one more fucking time stop right now get this shit out of my mouth. They thought I was weird but they stopped. It just became obvious to me that THAT much scrapping and shit couldn't be good so I ended it.

[Iraira]

One time I was at the dentist in Japan and I decided goddamnit this shit is getting ridiculous and I stopped them right in the middle of what they were doing (which was just a cleaning that never seemed to end) and said fuck it don't touch my teeth one more fucking time stop right now get this shit out of my mouth. They thought I was weird but they stopped. It just became obvious to me that THAT much scrapping and shit couldn't be good so I ended it.

Did they still give you a free toothbrush with that little soft knobby thing at the end?

[Cyka UchuuJin]

my only dental experience in japan was going to have a routine cleaning done. they didn't have me fill out anything at the beginning and did the x-rays and stuff. did a bit of scraping and poking around and dismissed me saying 'good healthy teeth' then had me fill out the forms. when i wrote that it'd been 18 months since i'd seen a dentist, they then decided i needed to come back 4 times for 'deep cleaning' because i had let it go so long.

i agree with SJ though...japanese teeth do seem to be really out of whack.

[AssKissinger]

Did they still give you a free toothbrush with that little soft knobby thing at the end?

Yeah, they did. I like those things, too.

[kusai Jijii]

I can only go on experience. I've had wisdom teeth out in Japan, and it was painless, professional, and inexpensive. My daughter has braces on, and that too has been relativily inexpensive, and very effective.
My children are required to bring a toothbrush to school each day and to clean their teeth after lunch - that certainly doesnt happen in schools in Australia.

On the other hand, drinking huge amounts of canned coffee while smoking packs of ciggies every day doesnt do much for the average salaryman's breath.

[Samurai_Jerk]

My children are required to bring a toothbrush to school each day and to clean their teeth after lunch - that certainly doesnt happen in schools in Australia.

Actually, brushing three times a day is too much.

[Amanojakuu]

Actually, brushing three times a day is too much.

I agree with this.

I've got by for years on a diet of 20 fags a day and a couple of coffees. My latest visit to the dentist (1st in 3 years, just before I came to Japan), the dentist told me my teeth were 'pretty much perfect', still no fillings or work on them (other than a tiny bit of building work at the back of my front teeth after being attacked when I was younger).

I put it all down to my single brush a day

(from the UK)