So the other day I found myself aimlessly scrolling through my Instagram feed when BAM, a picture of Johnny Depp came on my feed. I am not going to lie, I actually winced. You know that look you get when you bite your tongue accidentally? Yeah, that one.
His teeth looked absolutely shocking. And they were the talk of the town.
Now, I’m not one to cast aspersions about how people look (we all have our thing, haven’t we?). But this was different. This wasn’t a case of “Oh, he’s put on a bit of weight” or “The new haircut’s a bit dodgy.” This was concerning. Like, genuinely worrying.
The Cannes Moment That Had Everyone Gasping
Remember Cannes 2023? Johnny was in there for a French film named “Jeanne du Barry”, I think. Should have been about his acting comeback, no? Wrong. All anyone could talk about was his gnashers. I watched the red carpet coverage with my mum (she’s obsessed with celebrity spotting), and even she, who has never got a bad word to say about anyone, muttered, ‘Oh dear, someone needs to sort those out.’
The poor man’s teeth were this awful yellow-brown colour. Looked like he’d been chewing tobacco for 50 years. Which, given Johnny’s track record, might not have been much of an exaggeration.
A few teeth were almost black in certain lighting. It was watching your favourite uncle who won’t go to the dentist, despite everyone’s nagging.
My mate Lucy, who is a dental nurse, took one glimpse at the photos and said, ‘That’s years of neglect right there. Smoking, coffee, wine, and likely some grinding because of anxiety. Classic case.” She wasn’t being mean, only professional. But it made me think about how much our teeth reveal about our lives.
What Actually Happened to Johnny Depp Teeth?
I’m no dentist, but I have eyes. And experience. My dad was that way after his divorce; he had begun to stop caring about himself, chain-smoked and lived on coffee and whisky. His teeth went to pot, too.
Johnny’s really been through the wringer these past few years. The entire Amber Heard saga, career not going anywhere, maybe drinking too much, definitely smoking too much. When life’s kicking you in the teeth (both literally and figuratively), oral hygiene becomes the last thing on your mind.
The staining was mental. I mean, I’ve known some heavy smokers, but this was another level. His teeth had been turned this gnarly brown from years of smoking. Plus wear from grinding; you could see his teeth were getting shorter and more worn down. Stress does that to you.
In fact, I grind my teeth when I am anxious over work deadlines; I could not fathom what legal battles and public humiliation would produce.
There were these dark spots, too, possibly cavities or just severe staining. Either way, not a good look when you’re trying to make a Hollywood comeback.
Then Something Mental Happened in 2024
Fast-forward to 2024. I’m at my neighbourhood coffee shop, browsing news (bad habit, I know), when I come across this image from some bar in the Bahamas. Johnny Depp, looking… normal? No, better than normal.
His teeth were WHITE. Properly white. Not that ridiculous Hollywood fake white that just makes people look like they have swallowed a torch, but genuinely healthy-looking white.
I was taken by surprise. The transformation was mad. Like, unrecognisably different. His teeth appeared straight, clean, and white. It was the sort of change that makes you do a double-take and wonder if you are still looking at the same person. My first thought was, “Good on him.” My second one was “That must have been expensive.
The Fix That Changed Everything
Now Johnny hasn’t come out and detailed his entire dental journey (and why should he?). But we pretty much know what happened. Major dental work. We’re talking the full monty here; I mean, probably veneers, definitely some crowns, maybe implants for any teeth that couldn’t be saved.
My cousin had similar work done after a motorbike accident ruined his front teeth. It’s not just cosmetic; when your teeth are that bad, it affects everything. The way you eat, talk and even your confidence.
The process, she said, took months and countless appointments, with temporary teeth while permanent ones were being made.
For Johnny, this wasn’t vanity. This was necessary. Teeth in that condition don’t just look bad, but they’re a health hazard. Infections can spread, affect your heart, and cause all sorts of complications.
The work looks professional too. Not those weird, too-perfect veneers some celebrities get that make them look like they’re wearing fancy dentures. These look natural, age-appropriate, and healthy.
Why We’re All So Invested
Here’s what’s been bugging me about this whole thing: why do we care so much about celebrities’ teeth? I mean, we really do, don’t we? Look at the comments on any photo of Johnny from Cannes 2023. Thousands of people weighing in on his dental hygiene.
I think it’s because teeth are so personal. They’re one of the first things you notice about someone. When you smile, laugh, or eat, your teeth are on display. Bad teeth suggest neglect, while good teeth suggest you’ve got your life together.
With Johnny, watching his teeth deteriorate felt like watching someone we cared about fall apart. Sounds dramatic, but hear me out. We grew up with this guy: Edward Scissorhands, What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, and Pirates of the Caribbean. He was part of our cultural landscape.
Seeing him with those awful teeth at Cannes felt like bumping into an old friend who’d clearly been having a rough time. You want to help, but what can you do?
The Real Story Here
What gets me about Johnny’s dental transformation is what it represents. It’s not just about looking good for photos (though I’m sure that’s part of it). It’s about self-care, about deciding you’re worth investing in.
After everything he’s been through, such as the court cases, career nosediving, and public humiliation, sorting his teeth out feels like a statement. “I’m still here. I’m taking care of myself. I’m not giving up.”
Johnny’s new teeth don’t just look better; they probably feel better. He can eat properly, speak clearly, and smile without covering his mouth. That’s got to affect your confidence, your mood, everything.
The fact that he sorted it out, despite probably feeling like the world was watching his every move, shows some proper backbone. Good on him. Sometimes the best revenge is living well, or in this case, smiling well.
Looking at recent photos, he seems more relaxed, more confident. Maybe it’s the teeth, maybe it’s time healing wounds, probably both. Either way, it’s nice to see someone we’ve watched struggle finally looking like they’re getting back on their feet.
