Imperfection series - Part 2: No closeness

So I promised to continue the imperfection series today, after introducing it last week. I hope you all enjoy this episode.

When I was about five years old, my grandmother discovered it. And here's how. At Christmas period, she used to line all her grandkids up, and brush their teeth with charcoal before we are allowed to use toothpaste, by ourselves. I guess you didn't know charcoal made teeth white, tight? Anyway, when brushing my teeth, she would say "clench your teeth, clench your teeth" in Yoruba. I would reply saying "I am clenching my teeth" yet many of the charcoal would enter my mouth. After looking well, we discovered that Atilola's teeth don’t close.

I have open bite.

I'm sure you are like "what's that?"

It means I cannot really bite.

Still confused? In short, my incisors and canine don't meet.

Ideally, I shouldn't be able to pronounce words with t, s, and other letters which involves the use of the front teeth, since mine aren't really functional. Many open with open bite have a speech impediment, but I have been able to manipulate my mouth, to make sure that's not the case with me, although I wasn't conscious of my adjustment. I guess it just grew with me.

I find a way to distort my lips and tongues, to make sure I can pronounce some words. As for the, lips, I push it out, and cover my dentition with it. Of course, I didn't know I used to do this, until I started seeing myself speak. To understand a bit of what I am talking about, look to the right, and you will see a video saying ‘watch society’s victim.’ You don’t need to watch the video. Just take a look at the still cover picture, and see the position of my lips. Of course, you might not notice when I’m talking because my lips are in constant motion.

As for the tongue, at first, it might look like a lisp, but when you look well, you will know it is not.

To correct an open bite that wasn't developed by habit, it requires heavy, intense, and long- term surgery. I ain't got time for all that, and I earn part of my income from performing with my mouth. I'm not sure I can sacrifice two years for my jawbone to be constantly shifted. Also, the dentist said since I was to adjust to the condition well, I don't have to go through the procedure.

Anyway, that’s one part of my physiology which is imperfect. I hope you get to enjoy next week’s own.

Bonus: I have a silver tooth, although it is not visible, because it is a premolar. I installed it two months ago when my filling cracked, and I had to get a new tooth. I wanted gold, but it was too expensive for my pocket, so I opted for silver.