‘Can I talk to you about something?’ my mother-in-law’s voice dropped to a raspy whisper, ‘It’s quite personal.’ She beckoned me to her side.
‘Sure,’ I said, thinking that this could be our breakthrough, our chance to finally connect. What was she was about disclose about herself?
‘Have you ever considered fixing your teeth?’
I was speechless. Well actually, I wanted to speak, to voice my objection, but I didn’t want to open my mouth for her to judge further! It turned out that her own crooked smile had impacted on her own self-confidence. She was hoping to help and save me from such shame, though perhaps her delivery had been a less like a velvet glove and more like a knockout punch.
Later that evening I asked my husband what she meant. I was a child from the fluoride generation, my husband on the other hand just missed out – clearly evident by his metal filled, picket-fence smile. I had never been self-conscious about my teeth before, but I noticed that I was speaking to him from behind my hand.
A few months ago my daughter got braces. She grinned at me after her orthodontic appointment and I smiled back (while internally recoiling in horror). The haunting image of Johnny Depp as a young Willy Wonker came to mind.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxCKyZSZnio
‘Honey, it suits you, it really does.’
A thirteen year-old’s ego is a cruel, younger mistress and as her mother it was my duty to lie.
Now we are all used to her metallic mouth, I have actually come to think it actually suits her. In fact almost every one of her friends now has them. It seems that a perfect smile will be compulsory in the future.
Me, I’m happy with my slightly crooked one. My mother-in-law will have to live with it. After all, it’s our imperfections that make us unique.
Beyond the picket fence 
February 22, 2015 at 8:46 pm
You know, my Pops was a dentist, and he decided that my bottom wonkies weren’t a problem as when you smile you only see the top teeth! I’m happy with my slightly imperfect perfection!!!
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February 23, 2015 at 3:57 am
It was a bit rude of your MIL to say something about your teeth, especially as she has now made you self-conscious. Like you said, we all have our little imperfections (even her)!!!
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February 23, 2015 at 1:24 pm
In her defence I should have stated that her comments came about of the shame that she felt about her own teeth and her wish to have them fixed. Perhaps she could have voiced her opinion with a velvet glove rather than delivering a knockout punch! 😉
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February 23, 2015 at 5:52 pm
Yes indeed! I understand a little more now why she might have wanted to say something, but like you say, she could have been a bit more subtle!
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February 23, 2015 at 9:39 am
What an unnecessary comment! I’m glad you still feel good about your teeth though. For someone with a lower self esteem it might have had quite serious consequences.
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February 23, 2015 at 1:26 pm
She is actually a lovely woman and a fabulous mother-in-law. I think she was lacking a little ‘diplomacy’ in this case though! 🙂
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February 23, 2015 at 4:31 pm
Oh dear, I am sure she meant well and all, but that probably could have been delivered better hahaha. I wouldn’t worry about it, I am sure you are perfect the way you are 🙂
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February 25, 2015 at 9:38 pm
Erm, was I meant to laugh at you ML’s ineptitude? She sounds as tactful as my own mother, which is somewhere between an atom bomb and a major earthquake!! 🙂 Seriously well written post!
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February 28, 2015 at 4:07 pm
Mother-in-laws ::sigh::…that’s all.
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March 2, 2015 at 10:57 pm
It’s not just mother-in-laws. For me, it was a dentist. Mostly I’ve managed to forget his comment, but every so often I look in the mirror and focus on those front teeth. The rest of the time, though? I’ve too short to hide behind my hand.
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