A surprise for Poppa - or maybe not
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (381904)
Rockingham, Australia
March 29, 2026 12:52am CST
Shortly before my mother was married in 1937, she had all her teeth removed. This was quite common in those days as most people didn’t look after their teeth and having them removed before the wedding saved the husband the expense of the extractions.
When our son was about four and we were visiting my parents, my mother was playing with him and she dropped her top set of teeth onto the lower ones. His eyes nearly popped out of his head and he called out loudly to his granddad ‘Poppa! Come and look at this!’ He is now 54. I must ask him one day if he remembers it.
The photo is of son wearing Poppa's hat.
21 people like this
19 responses
@DaddyEvil (174296)
• United States
29 Mar
Well, it would be funny if you didn't know some people can take their teeth out!! 
5 people like this
@DaddyEvil (174296)
• United States
29 Mar
@JudyEv Very true... And you can count on a kid to be very graphic about things they notice for the first time. 
1 person likes this
@rebelann (117211)
• El Paso, Texas
29 Mar
He looks so adorable, how old was he?
That makes sense, I've never been really good about going to dentists and just brushing my teeth wasn't enough to prevent the problems I'm having today .... I probably should have had mine removed so I wouldn't have these problems now 
4 people like this
@celticeagle (189820)
• Boise, Idaho
29 Mar
How cute and funny youngsters can be. I love the picture. Hiw cute indeed.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (189820)
• Boise, Idaho
30 Mar
@JudyEv .....I loved to when I was a kid.
1 person likes this
@ptrikha_2 (49753)
• India
29 Mar
For Kids, such incidents are quite unique and memorable !
Indeed, quite something to remember and talk about !
2 people like this
@FourWalls (86606)
• United States
30 Mar
Those were the days of pure innocence! My mom had false teeth for as long as I can remember, so that wouldn't have shocked me that much.
My mom had false teeth for as long as I can remember, so that wouldn't have shocked me that much.1 person likes this
@Shiva49 (28371)
• Singapore
29 Mar
My son was born after fourteen years of our marriage and that made him very special to us.
I recall many of how he expressed his thoughts into words with innocence written all over them.
I look for opportunities to recall those moments with him.
I used to eat sticky sweets and dental care was not instilled in us.
So I have a denture too for few missing teeth.
1 person likes this
@Shiva49 (28371)
• Singapore
30 Mar
@JudyEv He flew our nest when he was 16 plus, first to Australia and then to London.
He visits us almost every year and we too did that a few times.
My approach is to be there for him in times of need and he likewise.
Asian parents tend to get too attached to their children but it is more of detached attachment for us.
1 person likes this
@Ineeddentures (34021)
•
29 Mar
I bet he will remember it Judy.
Oh well wait, maybe not as he was only four .
I don't think I can recall much from when I was four years old
Can you?
1 person likes this
@Ineeddentures (34021)
•
30 Mar
@JudyEv
I do remember some things from being about 4
Some as clear as a memory from yesterday
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169448)
• United States
29 Mar
Oh, that is funny. Let us know if he actually remembers it.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (381904)
• Rockingham, Australia
30 Mar
I will. In hindsight, I think he was too little but I will ask.
@Juliaacv (56227)
• Canada
29 Mar
What an adorable picture, cute little story, it will be interesting if he still remembers the incident.
I remember when my Gramma got her dentures.
I remember her 'washing' them and letting them soak after her lunch meal and seeing her without them until after her nap.
My mother, on the other hand, had her top teeth removed when she was only in her 30's or 40's and we never ever saw her with her plate in.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (97957)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
29 Mar
I can imagine how confusing that can be to a child.
1 person likes this
@Dreamerby (10111)
• Calcutta, India
29 Mar
Whattt! People had their teeth removed at such a young age???
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (381904)
• Rockingham, Australia
29 Mar
Yes. It wasn't really very common for people to brush their teeth or have regular check-ups.
