'Yaeba' Japanese Trend: 'Sexy' Child Look-Alikes Spur Desire For Crooked Teeth
Crooked teeth have become the latest high fashion trend in Japan.
Japanese women are increasingly seeking procedures to add fang-like caps as well as ways to make their teeth appear more crowded in what is called the “Yaeba” look. The trend is opposite of what Americans consider beautiful, and stirs up more controversy because part of the “Yaeba” or “double tooth” appeal is that is makes women appear more young and childlike.
The trend has brought like to the possibility young girls being over-sexualized. The “Yaeba” look resembles the presence of baby teeth, teeth in a mouth that is too small.
While perfect white, straight, and evenly aligned teeth are the norm in the U.S., celebrity Kirsten Dunst has commented on her “snaggleteeth.”
“I love my snaggle fangs,” said the actress. “They give me character and character is sexy.”
Fans of the “Yaeba” look have created a page on Facebook where a young girl playing with a toy car serves as the default image.
Facebook user Pedro commented on the page, writing, “I love it! It’s sooo adorable..”
“I was introduced by a friend who told me I have Yaeba, its cool,” wrote Ashley.
Nicole wrote in opposition to the trend’s appeal: “Want me to be honest, it’s a child like quality… if the men over there are attracted to that then put two and two together…”
“This is gross,” wrote Christy on the fan page, which has accumulated 217 Facebook likes.
In recent years, Westerners coveted the gap-toothed smile made popular by Madonna, actress Anna Paquin, and model Lara Stone. The look was a top request in New York salons last year, reported the Daily Mail. If the Japanese trend catches on in the U.S., Americans would save thousands of dollars by avoiding corrective dental braces.
