I’ve always had large teeth, the largest in my very large family. My teeth have always had their own thing going on, never too straight, never properly spaced. As I’ve gotten older, my teeth have spaced out more –– developing more of their own personality. And in a way, developing more of mine. I never really noticed it until my best friend said somethings years ago when I contemplated braces. “I LOVE your teeth!” she exclaimed. It kind of stopped me in my tracks. Prior to that, conversations regarding my teeth remained with my mother, who insists I have my father’s grill. But teeth as a beauty trademark never came to mind.
As the years have gone by, gap teeth and quirky teeth in general have been more widely accepted. Models with a gap grace the covers of magazines, and teeth are no longer hidden behind awkward smiles. Recently, when seeing my dentist, we talked about my teeth in a more cosmetic form. Again, I contemplated braces. Now as an adult with two children, it finally felt like the right thing to do. He responded confidently and reassuringly, “Your teeth are yours. They are you. I like them.”
For now, I think I’m fine with them. I often look at photos of myself and can’t imagine me without these teeth. My gap has grown, but so has my smile.
How do you feel about your teeth? Have you had braces?
I enjoy the confidence that you exude after accepting this beauty mark. It is awesome to see and inspiring for other women to appreciate the unique physical qualities about each of us. As for my teeth specifically, I like them I just wish they were whiter…I've contemplated getting the light and gel in the take home kit. Have you ever used it?
Hey Andria! So I've heard others talking about this, I'm contemplating it. But my dentist also has this fancy whitener he suggests, so I don't know for sure. Thank you for reading. Let me know if you do!
Thank you for sharing this story! I happen to think these are great pictures of you. 🙂 Hope you don't mind me sharing my dental story: I have an underbite, and I was also born with a cleft palate, the latter of which can really screw you over dentally in the future. I had corrective surgery when I was almost a year old. My baby teeth were very straight but my adult teeth came in very crooked. I was around 9 when I first thought of this as a problem; as a result I was embarrassed to fully smile. Then middle school came and more self-esteem/comparison issues came with it. I especially compared my teeth to the straight, white, pearly smile that my twin sister had. I begged my mom for braces and eventually I ended up having a tooth extraction surgery (had way too many teeth because of the cleft palate thing), an expander and headgear, all alongside having braces for 2.5 years. I got them off when I was 15. I'm 21 now and I am so grateful to have had them! In my case it boosted my view of myself and my smile. They really worked magic for me personally, but I love seeing other people be totally confident in their unconventionally beautiful smiles! Love your blog and how you portray the truths of life, motherhood and being an African-American woman through your pictures and stories!!
Just lovely 🙂
Gorgeous smile aside… that lip color is beautiful and your skin is glowing.
Hey Erin, loved reading your story and happy it all worked out for you! Was any of it painful? My sister often complained that braces were for her, I'm not sure if I could withstand the annoyance of head gear, but I am sure your smile is gorgeous.
And thank you so much for reading and sharing, I really love writing here and it feels good to read comments like yours.
xo
The only moderately painful parts were when the orthodontist would adjust/tighten my braces every month. Ssleeping with headgear on wasn't very comfortable, nor was turning the crank on my expander every morning in order to gradually widen the roof of my mouth. So when I got used to those things they were fine! Cold treats helped. 🙂 Aw, thank you. Glad you liked it!
E
I had an underbite wore braces for almost 4 years. My friend had a gap, her mother offered her braces, she politely declined saying she liked her gap. Even at that young age she knew herself. Confidence and smile!
Love that!
Thank you so much Sonia
Thank you Lisa! Would you be interested in a story about fall and winter lip colors? I'm throwing that idea around now.
x
LaTonya
Are you kidding?!? Absolutely! I'm selfishly saying "yes yes yes" especially since we have the same skin tone and undertones lol.
I love your teeth and think they are so freakin' adorable. I have crowding issues so I plan to have some extractions (my wisdom teeth can't even come in) and braces by the time I turn 40. #treatyoself
My daughter was born with a facial cleft so I know we are in for a dental journey for her. So happy that the procedures worked out for you! We're going to do all that we can to make sure she exudes confidence.
I never had a gap and now as an adult I have gradually developed one. I was actually really pleased because I used to see all these black women when I visited relatives in South London as a child, with big gappy smiles and I SO WANTED a gap like that! It makes you unique!
Your smile is the first thing I noticed about you. I think it's a feature that makes you quite striking to look at.You beauty has character, and I think that's the best kind of beauty.