DR MAX: The Horrifying Reason I Needed Dentures at 19 — and Why I Know the Power of a Beautiful Smile

Johnny Depp seemed to have plenty to smile about while on vacation last week in the

Bahamas, in no small part because of a sparkling new set of gnashers. In a clip posted to social media by a bartender on the island, the actor grins broadly and brightly, prompting fans to point out his dental transformation.

It is indeed a dramatic change. In May 2023, people at the Cannes Film Festival were shocked by Depp’s apparently damaged and discolored teeth. Some were concerned that they appeared to be “rotting,” while others urged him to visit the dentist.

It seems he noticed – and that is good for him. He looks much healthier and happier.

In a clip posted to social media by a bartender in the Bahamas, the actor grins wide and bright, prompting fans to point out his dental transformation

I am a huge fan of people getting their teeth fixed. I know how much better it can make you feel about yourself, and it improves your bite and reduces the risk of long term dental problems.

In my late teens, my teeth suddenly began to move. Frighteningly, within a year, at age 19, the teeth on one side of my jaw began to collapse—a change in pressure that caused several of my front teeth to protrude almost squarely. My lip was left in a permanent snarl.

I quickly became paranoid about my funny teeth and found myself covering my mouth when I smiled. I went to the dentist who said the problem was so bad (it was caused by bad dental work when I was a kid) that the best option was to pull the teeth and give me dentures. At 19! I was devastated.

Luckily, a very kind elderly aunt, who knew the dangers of false teeth when she heard about it, paid for my orthodontic treatment which lasted for about five years in total. It meant I kept all my teeth – and I don’t want to be dramatic when I say 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 beam at everyone. I felt happy and confident. People often say that I always smile and I like to think that I’m making up for the years when I was too embarrassed to do so.

I have experienced it myself and often see people who are paranoid about their teeth. They cover their mouth, look down when they talk or pull their upper lip over their teeth. It makes me sad to think that people feel this way through life.

Studies have shown the benefits of smiling, from increasing mood-enhancing hormones like dopamine and serotonin, to decreasing stress-enhancing hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. This is so striking that when people are depressed, it’s recommended to practice smiling, even when they don’t feel like it, because it still improves their mood.

It’s been shown to lower overall blood pressure and, because you typically smile when you’re happy, the muscles you use trigger your 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, the teeth on one side of my jaw began to collapse — a change in pressure that caused several of my front teeth to protrude outward at almost a right angle, writes Dr. Max Pemberton

Interestingly, laughter is not a learned behavior, but an innate behavior. Babies laugh regardless of their culture or environment, and 3D ultrasound has shown that babies laugh even in the womb. It has an important social function, promoting camaraderie and helping to create social bonds.

A smile indicates that you are willing to engage in a positive social interaction, that you are open to someone, and that you are essentially coming at peace. A 2015 study analyzed how people described the way they first 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.

But if someone is insecure about his or her teeth and therefore does not dare to smile, then all these benefits are lost.

Unfortunately orthodontic work is rarely available to adults who qualify for the NHS, but I still tell everyone that if there is a way they can afford it, it is worth it. Yes, it can cost thousands of pounds, but the whole amount is rarely expected up front and can often be spread over several years. There are also much cheaper treatment options.

If you feel unhappy or insecure about your teeth, talk to an orthodontist. It could put a smile on your face

your face.

Elle’s Unwise Confession

When you’re someone with a global presence like Elle Macpherson, there are consequences to publicly declaring that you’ve turned your back on conventional medicine, writes Dr. Max

Elle Macpherson is under fire after she rejected chemotherapy for breast cancer in favour of alternative medicine.

I believe that we should all be able to make decisions about our health, even if they are unwise choices. If the risks are explained, people should be free to do what they want. But when you are someone with a global presence like Macpherson (left), there are consequences to publicly declaring that you have turned your back on conventional, evidence-based medicine. Your celebrity gives you weight and credibility. I understand that alternative therapies sound appealing. They are described in terms like ‘holistic’ and ‘balanced’, and what’s dangerous about that, you might ask? The harsh, brutal realities of orthodox treatments are scary and daunting. But this is how alternative medicine takes hold. It rides the wellness trend and pretends to be something benign and innocent, when in fact you are taking a huge risk. I have nothing against complementary therapies. But choosing them over chemotherapy is a different matter. You need to be told that you are risking your life.