Comments on social media about the teeth of surgeon Nick Beresford-Cleary, boyfriend of actress Hannah Waddingham, have ignited a discussion about dental aesthetics and national stereotypes. Beresford-Cleary, 46, accompanied Waddingham, 51, to the UK premiere of her new comedy series, "Ride or Die," where photographs of his smile drew remarks from some online observers, with one commenting, "Tell me you're British without telling me you're British."
This scrutiny has led to a defense from others who praised the "genuine smile" and questioned the "teeth obsession" attributed to Americans. In response to the "British teeth" trope, Eddie Crouch, Chair of the British Dental Association, stated that the notion is a "total myth." He added that "hard evidence shows that the average American is missing more teeth than their UK cousins," linking this to access to affordable dental care, which he noted is currently at risk. "If the Government doesn't get its act together we'll have Hollywood smiles for a few and not good oral health for the many," Crouch warned.
Dental professionals suggest a shift away from the pursuit of universally uniform, bright white smiles. Dr. Shravan Chawla at Ten Dental noted a trend towards appreciating more characterful and natural-looking teeth. "Healthy, natural teeth will always be in fashion," Chawla said. "Cosmetic dentistry that is invisible and fits the face and personality of the person, without being obvious and visible is the future, versus 'in your face' big white teeth which is very American and out of fashion."
The ideal of a flawless smile has long been associated with Hollywood stardom, from Marilyn Monroe to Tom Cruise, who underwent orthodontic treatment early in his career. This pursuit has extended to many public figures, including athletes and influencers, who often have a private dentist on standby.
However, a counter-trend has emerged, with several celebrities gaining prominence while embracing their natural teeth. Actors like Timothée Chalamet and Cynthia Erivo, who sports a gap-toothed smile, have achieved significant success. British actress Aimee Lou Wood has spoken about the fascination U.S. audiences have with her natural smile, recounting instances where orthodontists analyzed her teeth online, ultimately concluding she shouldn't change them. "It's a real full circle moment after being bullied and now people are clapping," Wood shared. Ayo Edebiri, star of "The Bear," has also maintained her natural smile as her career has advanced, with body language expert Judi James commenting that Edebiri's smile, which includes visible gums, appears "fun and hugely appealing" and contributes to her authenticity.
Historically, public figures like Vanessa Paradis, Madonna, and Georgia May Jagger have also been celebrated for their less-than-perfect, yet distinctive, smiles. Jagger, in particular, commented in 2008, "I wouldn’t even have braces on my teeth. I like the fact that I have good old-fashioned British teeth with a big gap. Who wants those gleaming white cosmetically enhanced American teeth?"