Passion gap

Passion gap or Cape Flats smile is a practical dental modification originating in Cape Flats, Cape Town, South Africa in which men and women deliberately remove their top front teeth (maxillary incisors) for fashion and status. The practice is popular among lower class Coloureds and has occasionally been done by White and Chinese South Africans in the area.[1][2]

Reception

For many years, Cape Town residents have removed their top front teeth due to regional cultural fashion. A 2003 study performed by the University of Cape Town found that the main reasons for removing teeth were fashion and peer pressure followed by gangsterism and medical purposes.[1]

The modification is particularly popular in the Cape Flats section of Cape Town. In an interview of 2,167 people of color in the Western Cape, 41% have had teeth removal. Of those who have undergone the procedure, 44.8% were male. Children as young as 11 have had their front teeth removed for aesthetics.[1]

Other reasons for a passion gap include the belief of improved oral sex and kissing. Another belief is that fishermen removed their teeth to whistle louder to one another. Though the practice is still popular in the region today, perception is changing.[3] Some employers specifically forbid the display of a passion gap.[4]

History

Dental modification in Southern Africa has been documented for 1500 years. Other forms of dental modification are more prevalent in the northern regions of Africa. Deliberate incisor removal in Western Cape remains an exception.[5]

During the mid-seventeenth century, slaves often removed their teeth as a means to "take back control of their own bodies".[3] The current trend of passion gaps started in the 1940s.[1]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Fran Blandy (2009-10-07). "Cape Town's passion gap: sexual myth or fashion victimhood?". The Telegraph. Retrieved 2014-04-03.
  2. ↑ Jamie Clifton (2012-03-06). "SMILE AND SAY "PASSION GAP"". Vice. Retrieved 2014-04-03.
  3. 1 2 Biénne Huisman (2013-08-25). "Toothy truth of the 'Cape Flats smile'". City Press. Retrieved 2014-04-03.
  4. ↑ Ezelle Solomons (2011-02-02). "No 'passion gap', supermarket staff told". News24. Retrieved 2014-04-03.
  5. ↑ Morris AG (1998). "Dental mutilation in southern African history and prehistory with special reference to the "Cape Flats Smile"". University of Cape Town Medical School. Retrieved 2014-04-03.

External links

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