Pic Credit | Misha Beliy via Shutterstock
Dear Central Incisors,
How are you doing today? I don’t know why but I have this sudden strong urge to write to you. So here I am, writing! A queer letter perhaps? Nah, I think not!
Remember the time when your temporary twins had been taken away by the tooth fairy and there was a huge gap, right where you are now? The time just prior to the both of you arriving, driving through my gums? I do. Quite clearly in fact.
I was at my grandma’s for winter vacations at that point. And I remember Mom asking me not to push at my gums with my tongue, for apparently, that would make you guys uneven, bent. But like always I had other plans altogether, didn’t I? For some reason, I decided I shouldn’t listen to her at all. So I spent all my time thrusting the tip of my tongue at the vacant plot. And then when you guys finally showed up I was shoving at you too. And the result? Well, let’s just say it is something between two spaced monoliths and a passageway between two boulders.
It was only after a few years that I realised what I had done. While I could have had you with no gaps in between, I ended up separating you in the shape of an awkward V. I watched my friends and I knew instantly that they had all not listened to their mums. Bit by bit I became conscious of you, not so much in a negative way, but yes I knew it stood out. I stood out because of you.
On the first day of college, a girl named Yvonne made fun of you. We were having ice-cream, remember? Well, I didn’t say anything back to her then because honestly it really didn’t matter what she thought. Apart from being aware of you while laughing, I actually never felt bad about the shape of you. I think you along with your other cousins have been good to me. I never had to go to a dentist for a root canal or anything else. That in itself is an achievement, isn’t it? Something I am thankful to you guys for.
So you are gapped but you are still my perfect incisors. I have loved you even when I’ve not flaunted you.
S tells me that you were the first thing he noticed about me when we went on our first date, not in a bad way I should clarify. Honestly, I have never really been embarrassed by you. Yes, I would have surely liked if there were no gaps but then that didn’t stop me from living my life, did it? So I have no complaints really. I might still not say cheese out of habit, but ashamed of you I certainly am not.
I guess I’m writing this to make a point here. We are not defined by how we look, how good our hair is (I know for I have the world’s perfectly worst head of hair!), how perfect our smile is and the likes. As clichéd as it sounds it’s what is inside that really, truly matters. I’m happy that I didn’t get carried away when at times you were made fun of by friends and acquaintances. I guess I never cared, nor do, about what others thought, or think, about me.
There are things in life more important than looks. Always.
So thank you, my dearies, for being what you are, being there, keeping me away from dentists and letting me bite into those awesome chicken pieces, every time, without trouble. I wouldn’t change you for the world!
Stay Sharp & Keep Biting!
PS: About biting, I’m not a Vampire.
The post was initially published as “Dear Central Incisors” in November 2014.
***
Linking to #mg hosted by Mackenzie Glanville
I love this! I used to have a gap between my two front teeth too — I ended up having braces but not for my front teeth — I had them because I had my canine teeth on the top and bottom sticking out from the top and bottom of my gums — I used to call them vampire teeth. Of course, in a bid to get those in line, the gap between my front two teeth closed. With smiles, I think if the smile is genuine and seen in the eyes, it doesn’t matter what the teeth are like! 😀 Keep smiling Naba…
Living my Imperfect Life – On Loneliness
I have gaps wide enough for people to drive through, Nabanita. And while I would love to keep them like that [some people (ahem!) find them cute), they’ve created enough trouble to last a lifetime. I call my dentist da Vinci, and my teeth his Mona Lisa.
But yeah, we are defined by what’s inside, not how we look. It’s always nice to read when someone is unapologetic about what the world considers ‘drawbacks’.
Your article is so inspiring and especially I love the way u said there are far more things to be considered than looks..Great thought and inspiring one too..
We are never defined by how we look, although ads and models would have us believe otherwise. What endures is the way we behave and how we treat people. That’s what matters and that’s what people truly remember and appreciate. May I say I have never noticed anything but sweetness from you, each time we’ve met? Appearances are just that. Appearances. Your teeth, your hair, your smile they all make you who you are: A beautiful person, inside and out, Naba.
My sister has the same gaps in her teeth and we used to love them actually. I think these little quirks define our personality and looks. Only those who don’t know us at all may judge us by those. And those we don’t care about, right? You are the sweetest, nicest and most beautiful girl. I never even noticed your gapped teeth on your pretty face and gorgeous smile. I love your hair as well. <3
I know we all shouldn’t be taking this so literally and talking about our teeth… because it’s just a beautiful metaphor… but… my 2 daughters both had retainers. One broke hers 3 times until the dentist said: “That’s enough. The heck with it.” I still haven’t decided if she plotted to break it each time so she could eat whatever she wants.
Ahh I love this! I actually love teeth with gaps in, my friend has tem and I always used to be so jealous of her smile!! Being comfortable with your appearance is so important, and to hell with what others say, most unkind comments stem from jealousy! #mg
Cracking up at the ending. My daughter LOVES vampires, so I think I’m going to leave a little note with that on her bed 🙂 It will make her laugh, too.
AS you have rightly said, we are not defined by how we look
A very tender article. I can imagine ypur confusion when the friend laughed.But really it’s God’s way of making us unique. Loved reading this
I love this post! Naba you are beautiful inside and out. Keep smiling. I like how you embrace who you are with confidence. I could never avoid the dentist, because my dad was one. Your dad must be a dermatologist. You have flawless skin. #mg
Wonderful way to look at our differences and to show the importance of who we truly are as people matters far more. Keep smiling beautiful xx #mg
Oh, it’s a beautiful distinguishing character and you are a beauty! Smile loud and proud! #mg
What? Gapped teeth are really cool and quirky. There are loads of supermodels who have gapped teeth. I am surprised that people are not getting cosmetic surgery to create the gap. They give character and charm. Wear your gap with pride. Pen x #mg
First things first – such a cute letter.
As for the teeth – I can only say that I’ve not really noticed those; I did notice that you had curly hair, which is quite a stand out feature 🙂 (Also reminds me that we should really meet more often :D)
But all that aside, regardless of all the physical appearances, having met you and having interacted with you at length, you’re an awesome person; and that’s what matters the most.
From one gapped-tooth person to another – I know how you feel! Many people have asked me why I don’t get ‘something done’ about them, but I feel it’s part of what makes me unique!
An adorable letter, which I can completely relate to, because I have gapped teeth too – the biggest gap is between the ones front and center, and while I too suppress the open smiles out of habit, the gaps don’t bother me one bit, as I have learnt to take them in my stride.
My front tooth too, have rabbit teeth and have gaps but I don’t care about it. When I was young used to be bothered about it but somehow did not get it corrected. Now it’s ok(: … nice write up.