I think one of the main reasons why Japanese people haven’t been too concerned about fixing their teeth until recently is because of the cultural history surrounding dental care in Japan. In traditional Japanese culture, having crooked or misaligned teeth was not seen as a problem or something that needed to be fixed.
In fact, during the Edo period in Japan (1603-1868), there was a practice called “ohaguro” where married women blackened their teeth as a sign of beauty and maturity. This practice was considered fashionable and desirable at the time. It’s hard to imagine now, but having blackened teeth was actually seen as attractive back then.
Because of this cultural history, no one really cared much about whether teeth were bad or good or what people thought about their teeth. There wasn’t a societal pressure to have straight or perfect teeth like there may be in other cultures.
Additionally, in Japanese society, there has traditionally been a greater emphasis on overall cleanliness and hygiene rather than specifically focusing on dental care. People would prioritize things like bathing and keeping their bodies clean, but dental hygiene may not have been given as much attention.
Furthermore, it’s important to note that dental care in Japan was not as advanced or accessible in the past as it is now. The dental industry has made significant advancements in recent years, which has made it easier and more convenient for people to seek dental treatment. With the availability of modern dental technology and the increasing awareness about the importance of oral health, more and more Japanese people are starting to take the initiative to fix their teeth.
So, to sum it up, the lack of concern about fixing teeth in Japan can be attributed to the cultural history surrounding dental care, the emphasis on overall cleanliness rather than specifically focusing on teeth, and the limited accessibility to advanced dental treatments in the past. However, with the changing times and the increased awareness about oral health, more Japanese people are now starting to prioritize dental care and seek treatment for their teeth.