Over the last few weeks I have endured a programme called, “Ten Years Younger”. I guess it’s one of those NZ copies of an overseas “makeover” programme but on a very tight budget. Our programmes don’t include bone altering cosmetic surgery or massive orthodontic work. Rather, this programme limits itself to botox, clothes and dental veneers. Despite my daughter’s enthusiastic suggestion that I should get a makeover I made it clear that I hate needles and don’t know where Hallenstiens is.
One of my kids is going through the “braces” routine at the moment. I did a bit of research and decided he needed them for health reasons and not merely cosmetic. Though I have to say, the power of advertising and oral persuasion while discussing all the options is quite overwhelming. Apparently a bright smile with straight teeth will change my life. And they told me this while looking at mine!
Fortunately, I have a slight aversion to spending what I don’t have these days. And even if I desperately wanted a bright smile with straight teeth, I couldn’t afford it; serious money is involved. And it’s not surprising. My son was watching “Top Gear” (excellent choice) while having his braces put on. The Orthodontist pointed out that he had just sold his Rolls Royce Phantom because it was too big for the garage. At that point, part of the “makeover” jigsaw fell into place.
So in what way does a great smile make such a difference? Simple. Self-confidence as opposed to self-consciousness!
Yet, is it really true that our self-confidence is reliant on the shape of our teeth? Does straightening them changes our self-image. Perhaps it’s nothing more than a placebo effect in terms of identity? Is it probable, that while we think we’ve changed, our old identity will no doubt resurface?
It wasn’t that long ago in New Zealand, or any other part of the world, when we didn’t notice the shape of teeth. Without being trite, I think we were more conscious of character. There was a time when we were repulsed by certain attitudes and actions. Now, body image, teeth and fashion are added to the list of deadly sins.
Since the invention of the commercial mirror we have been able to see ourselves the way we think everyone else sees us. In his song “People Watching”, Jack Johnson wrote, “Well I'm just people watching, the other people watching me…” and in doing so he caught something of our identity dilemma because we can’t really know what other people actually observe.
As a Christian I am becoming more aware of God’s perspective through Christ. I am the end of love, relationship, purpose and hope. When the psalmist said, “I am fearfully and wonderfully made”, teeth didn’t have much to do with it.
The God of the Bible isn’t a bad mirror to look at. We are made in God’s loving image, not the vague, imagined, image we think we see through everyone else.
Why not take a look?
Digby Wilkinson © 2008