Passion gap

KWAAI CITY INVESTIGATES THE `CAPE FLATS SMILE' - YouTube

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Passion gap or Cape Flats smile is a form of dental mutilation that is unique to a cluster of indigenous dental patients on the Cape Flats of South Africa. It consists of the clinical extraction of the upper incisor teeth by registered Dentists to unsuspecting and under-privileged patients. To mask the unethical clinical dental practice, van Wyk, in his masters thesis created the myth that people pull out their own teeth for improved oral sex. Journalists, adopted that myth and added fashion, peer pressure, gangsterism etc. In reality, the dentists extract the healthy teeth of their Coloured patients so that the same dentists have a patient for dentures, for the rest of that patient's life. It is a business model with a marketing ploy that puts the blame and shame on the unsuspecting patients. incisor.

Video Passion gap

Reception

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

The dental mutilation 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 extracted. Of those who have undergone the procedure, 44.8% were male. Children as young as 11 have had their front teeth extracted for aesthetics.

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

Maps Passion gap

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.

The current trend of passion gaps started in the 1940s.