New Trend: Intentionally-Crooked Teeth. (Really)
Japan. The forward-thinking land that first brought us lash extensions and 100-degree therapeutic baths is now responsible for a new beauty trend, but this one is sending shivers down the spines of traditional orthodontists.
The country's latest brain trust? Deliberately crooked teeth. (Perhaps we shouldn't be so surprised, considering bagel-shaped forehead injections and flesh-eating fish pedicures also originated in this country.)
The look is called "yaeba," Japaneses for "double tooth," and it's achieved by attaching non-permanent mini-fang caps to the canine teeth in an attempt to look more childlike, and more desirable.
Related: 14 Worst-Teeth Cities
Emilie Zaslow, PhD, Assistant Professor of Communication Studies at Pace University explains, "The naturally occurring 'yaeba' is because of delayed baby teeth, or a mouth that's too small."
The logic then, (such as it is) is that a crooked smile infantilizes women, making them look less "perfect" and therefore more easily "attainable" to men.
The kicker? Messing with your smile costs upwards of $350. But that hefty price tag hasn't kept eager Japanese women from crowding into dental offices to have the procedure done.
Clearly, this look isn't for everyone. So, if like me, you still think straight, white, healthy teeth are the way to go, this 1-minute smile makeover may be more up your alley.
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