Why is The White Lotus generating so much chatter about teeth? | Arwa Mahdawi

Straight, expensive, blindingly white. No, I’m not talking about Donald Trump’s vision for America; I’m talking about teeth. Namely the sort of teeth you see on American TV shows – and, since many US politicians seem to love cosmetic surgery – the evening news. Everyone from Z-list influencers to Taylor Swift to Trump himself seems to have perfect teeth.

Americans have always been invested in their smiles, but an increasing number of British people are also shelling out for veneers. You need sunglasses to watch the telly these days, everyone’s smile is so bright.

Which is why Aimee Lou Wood, the effervescent Mancunian starring in season three of The White Lotus, is such a refreshing sight. The Bafta-winning actor’s screen presence is delightful, but her teeth seem to be getting as much airtime as her acting. Vanity Fair has called them “inspiring” and the New York Times published a think-piece praising the “novelty” of her “natural smile”.

Meanwhile, some of the British press have been getting carried away: the Telegraph just published a piece headlined “How wonky ‘British’ teeth became Hollywood’s new status symbol” (the stretchiest of stretches). In short, from the amount of frenzy they’re generating, you’d think Wood had bravely overcome being born with walrus tusks. Instead, she just has natural teeth and a slight overbite. But, sadly, that’s enough to make a celebrity stand out these days.

Wood, who was bullied for her teeth when young, seems a little gobsmacked about all the chatter her chompers are generating. “I can’t believe the impact my teeth are having, because the Americans can’t believe [my teeth],” she said on The Jonathan Ross Show last week. Indeed, she told another interviewer that her teeth have made it difficult for her to get roles as an American. “No Americans have my teeth!” she said. “I’d have to get veneers!”

Many people are thankful that Wood hasn’t: the actor says she has received “hundreds of messages” from fans who now feel better about their “imperfect” teeth. And I know how they feel: I grew up incredibly uncomfortable about my smile because of discoloration due to too much fluoride when I was little. In the end I got crowns on my two front teeth, but I am still somewhat self-conscious. Seeing celebrities be proud of their imperfections does make a difference.

But, look, enough about Wood’s teeth. Just watch her in The White Lotus. It doesn’t matter what kind of mouth you’ve got – I promise she’ll make you smile.

Arwa Mahdawi is a Guardian columnist