Chinese Olympic swimmer Sun Yang, who won gold last night in the 200m men’s freestyle, is being mocked on social media for having bad teeth, because apparently everyone is a sore loser.
Ok, I'm gonna say it – what's up with Sun Yang's teeth? Can he not afford a dentist?
— RichS 🍄 (@RichScotford) August 9, 2016
Anyone else distracted by Sun Yang's teeth?? #Rio2016
— Hey, Cate! (@SayHeyCate) August 9, 2016
https://twitter.com/dbrooksy2/status/762944066849873920
Olympic Swimmer Sun Yang Is Getting Roasted For Having Worse Teeth Than A Meth Head Who Picked Up A Side Crack Habit https://t.co/jIBcw3Zfk6
— Brotips (@brotips) August 9, 2016
In most developed countries, having straight, white teeth is a signifier of class. And while dental hygiene is an ongoing issue in China, according to a study from the International Dental Journal from 2005 among adults in China, “56 percent held the attitude that tooth loss is natural and inevitable,” and many had never heard of dental plaque or the effect of sugar on teeth.
However, crooked teeth can function as well as straight teeth, and having crooked teeth is not a sign of poor hygiene; it just means not everyone lives up to a Western, mainly American, standard of aesthetics.
Making fun of Sun Yang's teeth is not funny at all. There isn't a prevalent dental awareness in China and in many developing countries.
— Heidi H (@heidi_han) August 9, 2016
Also, Yang’s teeth have nothing to do with how he swims. Maybe everyone should just stay outraged about the doping and his messing with competitors.