Johnny Depp seemed to have plenty to smile about while on vacation last week at the
Bahamas, in part because of a shiny new set of teeth. In a clip posted to social media by a waiter on the island, the actor is smiling widely (and brightly), leading fans to point out his dental transformation.
It is indeed a drastic change. In May 2023, at the Cannes Film Festival, people were shocked to see Depp’s apparently damaged and discoloured teeth; some feared they looked “rotten” and others asked him to go to the dentist.
It seems he realized it, and that’s good for him. He looks much healthier and happier now because of it.
Johnny Depp caused a stir at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival with his apparently damaged and discoloured teeth. Some observers feared they looked “rotten”
In a clip posted to social media by a Bahamian waiter, the actor smiles wide and brightly, prompting fans to point out his dental transformation.
I am a big advocate of people getting their teeth fixed. I know that this can make you feel much better about yourself, as well as improve your bite and reduce the risk of long-term dental problems.
When I was in my teens, my teeth suddenly started to shift. Horribly, within a year, at age 19, the teeth on one side of my jaw began to sink in, a pressure shift that caused several of my front teeth to start sticking out at almost right angles. My lip sat on one like a permanent grimace.
I soon became absolutely paranoid about my ridiculous teeth and found myself covering my mouth when I smiled. I went to the dentist, who told me that the problem was so severe (it had been caused by bad dental work when I was a child) that the best option was to have my teeth removed and dentures fitted. At 19! I was devastated.
Fortunately, a very kind older aunt, who knew the dangers of dentures, heard about this and paid for my orthodontic treatment, which took about five years in total. This meant that I kept all my teeth, and I am not exaggerating when I say that it changed my life.
It’s hard to feel happy when you don’t want to smile. But suddenly, all I wanted to do was smile at everyone. I felt happy and confident. People often say that I’m always smiling, and I like to think that I’m making up for those years when I was embarrassed to do so.
Having been through it myself, I often see people who are paranoid about their teeth. They cover their mouth or look down when they talk, or cover their teeth with their upper lip. It makes me sad to think that there are people who go through life feeling this way.
Studies have shown the benefits of smiling, from increasing mood-boosting hormones like dopamine and serotonin to decreasing stress-boosting hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. This is so evident that when people are depressed, they are encouraged to practice smiling even when they don’t feel like it, as it still improves their mood.
It has been shown to reduce overall blood pressure, and because we typically smile when we are happy, the muscles we use cause the brain to produce more endorphins (the chemical that relieves pain and stress). Researchers have even found that one smile can generate the same level of brain stimulation as 2,000 chocolate bars.
At age 19, teeth on one side of my jaw began to collapse, a pressure shift that caused several of my front teeth to begin sticking out at almost right angles, writes Dr. Max Pemberton
Interestingly, smiling is not a learned behavior, but rather an innate one. Babies smile regardless of their culture or environment and 3D ultrasounds have shown that babies smile even in the womb. It has an important social function, as it fosters camaraderie and helps create social bonds.
A smile is a sign that you are willing to engage in positive social interaction, that you are open to someone, and that you are, in essence, coming in peace. A 2015 study looked at how people described how they met their partner and found that the amount of conversation that took place while smiling or laughing was positively associated with closeness and relationship quality. It deepens relationships.
However, if someone is self-conscious about their teeth and therefore afraid to smile, all these benefits are lost.
Sadly, orthodontic treatment is rarely available to adults receiving care on the NHS, but I still tell everyone that if you can afford it somehow, it is well worth it. Yes, they can cost thousands of pounds, but you are rarely expected to pay the full amount up front and it can often be spread over a number of years. There are plenty of cheaper treatment options out there too.
If you don’t feel comfortable or at ease with your teeth, talk to an orthodontist. It might just put a smile on your face.
your face
Elle’s reckless confession
If you’re someone with a global presence like Elle Macpherson, then there are consequences when you publicly declare that you’ve turned your back on conventional medicine, writes Dr Max
Elle Macpherson has come under fire after rejecting chemotherapy for breast cancer in favour of alternative medicine.
I believe that each of us should have the freedom to make decisions about our health, even if that includes unwise choices. As long as the risks are explained, people should be free to do what they want. But if you are a person with a global presence like Macpherson (left), then there are consequences when you publicly declare that you have turned your back on conventional, evidence-based medicine. Your fame lends you weight and credibility. I understand that alternative therapies sound appealing. They are described using terms like “holistic” and “balanced,” and you might wonder what is so dangerous about that. In contrast, the harsh, brutal realities of orthodox treatments are scary and unpleasant. But that is how alternative medicine takes hold. It takes advantage of the wellness trend and passes itself off as something innocent and benign when, in fact, you are taking a huge risk. I have nothing against complementary therapies. But it is something completely different when you choose this over chemotherapy. You must be told that you are risking your life.