Ustick Dental April/May 2021

The Cure For ‘American Girl Doll Teeth’

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A photo of Bennett with the same smile next to a shot of Samantha went viral. From there, the meme got out of control, inspiring Instagram reels and TikToks of people calling each other (and themselves) out on their embarrassing “American Girl Doll Teeth.” Those jokes hit close to home for people already self-conscious about their front teeth. If the “American Girl Doll Teeth” meme is getting you down, don’t worry — your smile isn’t a lost cause. Dentists have multiple tricks up their sleeves to minimize prominent front teeth. Trimming — which is also known as tooth shaving, interproximal reduction, or interproximal enamel reduction — might be the best option if your teeth are oversized. Trained dentists can trim teeth using a drill or by hand. They’ll shave off just enough length to make your smile look uniform without removing the crucial enamel or causing you pain. Invisalign can help if your front teeth are crooked or stick out from the rest of your smile. The procedure involves wearing clear retainers for six months or more to shift and straighten your teeth. Both options take time and money to accomplish, but they’re guaranteed to make you feel more confident in your smile. If you decide to go with one of these procedures, it won’t be long before you can chuckle at the “American Girl Doll Teeth” meme, too.

In December 2020, the TV show “The Bachelorette” spawned a new meme. Against all odds, the joke wasn’t about roses, petty arguments, face masks, or even limousines — it was about teeth! That month, a fan snarkily compared contestant Bennett Jordan’s prominent front teeth to those of the “Samantha Parkington” American Girl doll. The fan’s joke cracked up millions of viewers, possibly because the doll is such an unlikely twin for the Harvard-graduating, Rolls Royce-driving lady’s man. Samantha hails from 1904 and wears a pink velvet dress, white tights, and black Mary Jane shoes. Her bangs and hair bow are iconic, but her two front teeth really define her look. They’re the only visible teeth in her smile and peek out from below her top lip, making her look like a cross between an adorable bunny and Hermione Granger from “Harry Potter.”

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Easy & Healthy

• 1/2 cup green peppers, diced • 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil • 3 cloves garlic, peeled and minced • 1 cup long-grain white rice GREEN RICE Inspired by 101Cookbooks.com

Ingredients

• 1 cup tightly packed spinach leaves • 1 cup tightly packed kale leaves, stems removed • 1 1/2 cups vegetable stock • 2 tbsp full-fat coconut milk • 1 tsp kosher salt • 1/2 cup yellow onions, finely diced

Directions 1. In a blender, purée spinach and kale with vegetable stock, coconut milk, and salt. Set aside. 2. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, sauté onions and peppers in olive oil until soft. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes. 3. Stir in rice and cook and toast for 1–2 minutes before adding the blended mixture. Increase heat to bring to a boil. 4. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer until liquid has evaporated, 15–20 minutes. 5. Remove from heat and let sit for 10 minutes. Fluff with a fork before serving.

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