Actually, I think it would almost be easier not to look straight at the teeth when talking to this person. Personally, I am a clean-freak when it comes to teeth (I think my children can attest to that, since my first question every morning is “Did you brush your teeth yet?”) and have little tolerance for dirty teeth or smelly breath. Of course I know that sometimes certain medical or dental conditions can cause bad breath or unsightly teeth in an individual, which can be outside of his/her control, but overall I think dental hygiene is critical for overall health as well as for successful interpersonal communication and everyone should at least make an effort to maintain their dental health. Therefore, if I was communicating with an individual whose teeth were shimmering in a yellowish glow, I would like focus all my attention on maintaining uninterrupted eye contact with the person.

Oh I do look at them, right between the eyes, or eyes or lower forehead or even might go over and check out the ears...or their hair or something!!!

if they were truly that bad it would be hard to avoid but I would! I would so try very hard, its not nice when you know you don't look perfect and people stare at you.

:(

You tell them that they have yellow teeth and ask to keep their mouth shut.

Or you just keep your eyes unfocused.

I know that a person's physical appearance can be distracting, no matter what the non-conformity.

While trying not to stare at a person's teeth might seem to be the most polite way to hold the conversation, at least staring at the teeth will give the person a reality check that they need to 'brush up' their appearance. I am not saying that you be rude, but don't worry if you stared a little. Life happens. They know they look that way, I am sure. It's like meeting a person who is in a wheelchair and staring at the top of their head (at the hair) instead of recognizing their disability you ignore it. I think that ignoring it is probably more hurtful to the person than acknowledging it. Most people want to be acknowledged for themselves 100%, even if they don't meet everyone's picture perfect ideal. I say don't resist looking at them at all!

Honestly, it probably wouldn't bother me that much. You don't look at someone's teeth when he or she is talking to you, after all. And talking involves so much movement that half the time they'd be hidden. Unless they're Crayola-colored, like those Photoshopped online ads you sometimes see, they'd hardly be a distraction.