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Straight, white teeth as a social prerogative.

Abeer Khalid1, Carlos Quiñonez1

  • 1Discipline of Dental Public Health, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.

Sociology of Health & Illness
|April 30, 2015
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

North American society idealizes straight, white teeth as a beauty standard, reflecting deep-seated social and cultural influences. This fixation on dental aesthetics signifies embodied class differences and societal pressures on self-image.

Keywords:
DentistryNorth American societySelf-imageSocial advantageStraight, white teeth

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Area of Science:

  • Sociology
  • Anthropology
  • Dentistry
  • Social Psychology
  • Biology

Background:

  • North American society exhibits a strong preoccupation with self-image and bodily improvement.
  • A notable aspect of this is the societal fixation on achieving straight, white teeth.
  • Existing literature on the sociology of the body largely overlooks the social significance of teeth.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the reasons behind straight, white teeth becoming a beauty ideal in North America.
  • To explore the underlying basis and propagation mechanisms of this dental aesthetic ideal.
  • To analyze the connection between dental aesthetics, social class, and identity.

Main Methods:

  • Cross-disciplinary literature review integrating anthropology, biology, dentistry, sociology, and social psychology.
  • Application of sociological theories, including concepts from Pierre Bourdieu and Michel Foucault.
  • Analysis of how dental aesthetics function within social structures and power dynamics.

Main Results:

  • Dental aesthetic preferences are demonstrably influenced by biological, cultural, and social factors.
  • The ideal of straight, white teeth reinforces social stratification and class distinctions.
  • Societal disciplinary power is exerted through the enforcement of this dental beauty standard.

Conclusions:

  • Modified teeth are intrinsically linked to an individual's sense of self and identity, which are shaped by social structures.
  • Teeth serve as a visible symbol of social advantage or disadvantage, embodying class differences.
  • The study highlights significant implications for professional practices, public health, sociology, and political discourse.