Many Ventura High School students spend their adolescence obtaining straighter teeth. This is usually a time and money intensive investment.  But are straighter teeth really that much more attractive?

According to a recent poll survey posted on The Cougar Press Twitter account, out of 53 voters, 79 percent are more attracted to people with straighter teeth, four percent aren’t attracted to people with straighter teeth and 17 percent don’t care whether people have straight teeth or not.

J. Cole, an American rapper, wrote a song called “Crooked Smile”. According to an interview Cole had with Fuse, an American digital cable and satellite television channel, his song “Crooked Smile” is about, “…when you get somewhat known [fans/people] definitely make it a point to remind you about your flaws…”. One of Cole’s lyrics from the song, “They tell me I should fix my grill because I got money now. I ain’t gon’ sit around and front like I ain’t thought about it. A perfect smile is more appealing, but it’s funny how. My $%*@ is crooked – look at how far I done got without it!” At the end of the Fuse interview, Cole says, “[I’m] flipping it to tell other people to embrace their flaws too and not be so caught up in the little things…”

According to Authority Dental, traditional metal braces cost around $3,000-7,500 total. “Invisible” braces treatment, also known as Invisalign, usually costs $3,500-8,500 total.

Students voiced differing opinions on the subject: Senior Hailey Cox said, “I don’t think it matters if someone has perfect teeth but it’s more noticeable to me if someone has a good smile.”

Junior Nico Cardona shared, “I think crooked teeth and straight teeth are equal and that all girls are beautiful.”

Junior Oden Anthony said, “I think that straight teeth are just genetically superior. People with straight teeth are superior in all ways, not just attractiveness. People with straight teeth are probably stronger and just better.”