Mien Yao/Dao tribe girl (Mèo Vac, Vietnam)
The teeth covered with gold-like metal indicate that this woman is married. It's convenient: as soon as the woman or teenage girl smiles, you know if she is single or not! Girls from ethnic minorities (i.e. tribes) marry at about 14 or 15 years of age.
See more smiles with golden teeth!.
This photo was #47 in interestingness for Jan 26, 2006 (checked at 5pm on Feb 1, 2006).