black teeth

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Teeth blackening was practiced by numerous cultural groups, including the Austronesian, Austroasiatic, and Kra–Dai-speaking peoples. It was also prevalent in regions like Southeast Asia, Oceania, and parts of the Americas. Each culture had its reasons, often linked to beauty, maturity, or social status. Methods of Dyeing Teeth Black Across Cultures

 

The methods of achieving blackened teeth varied widely. In Vietnam, for example, people used charcoal and salt, while in Islamic South Asia, a substance called missī was applied.

 

Despite the different techniques, the underlying symbolism of beauty and maturity remained consistent.

 

The traditional ohaguro mixture was made by dissolving iron filings in vinegar, creating a black liquid that was applied to the teeth. This concoction was not only effective in dyeing the teeth but also helped prevent decay, serving a dual purpose of beauty and health.

from Isabella Bird's book:

 

The barber’s work was only partially done when the hair was dressed, for every vestige of recalcitrant eyebrow was removed, and every downy hair which dared to display itself on the temples and neck was pulled out with tweezers. This removal of all short hair has a tendency to make even the natural hair look like a wig.

Then the lady herself took a box of white powder, and laid it on her face, ears, and neck, till her skin looked like a mask.

With a camel’s-hair brush she then applied some mixture to her eyelids to make the bright eyes look brighter, the teeth were blackened, or rather reblackened, with a feather brush dipped in a solution of gall-nuts p. 202and iron-filings—a tiresome and disgusting process, several times repeated, and then a patch of red was placed upon the lower lip. I cannot say that the effect was pleasing, but the girl thought so, for she turned her head so as to see the general effect in the mirror, smiled, and was satisfied.

 

The remainder of her toilet, which altogether took over three hours, was performed in private, and when she reappeared she looked as if a very unmeaning-looking wooden doll had been dressed up with the exquisite good taste, harmony, and quietness which characterise the dress of Japanese women.