10 Weird Things People Used to Do With Their Teeth

Since ancient times, people have been obsessed with their teeth. Apart from their value as instruments for daily mastication, some ancient cultures revered teeth as a symbol of beauty, health, and strength. Some cultures modified their teeth to show status or class, mark a milestone, or provide ornamental value. In the course of using teeth for religious, ornamental, or aesthetic purposes, many fascinating examples of creative dental practices found their way into the history books. So, before you dismiss the following as weird teeth, check out their ancient backstories.

10. Ancient Humans Didn’t Brush Their Teeth

While the earliest humans emerged between five to seven million years ago, the earliest records of dental cleaning implements date back to only 3500 BC. Given the million years gap, how did ancient humans managed to keep their teeth healthy and strong? It turns out that early humans used small sticks to help clean their teeth. Researchers pointed out the discovery of tiny side holes in ancient fossil teeth. These holes called interproximal grooves are likely caused by repeated cleanings with sticks. Also, researchers pointed out that chimpanzees, a relative of humans, still use sticks and leaves of grass to help clean their teeth and the spaces between.

Despite the primitive dental tools, early humans didn’t show signs of having weird teeth. On the contrary, they seemed to possess stronger, healthier teeth with no sign of cavities. Many believe the major reason was diet, as they only ate unprocessed food with little to no sugar. Bacteria that caused plaque and tooth decay only started thriving on teeth when sugary, processed food started to appear as well.

9. Ancient Egyptian Dentistry

Ancient Egyptians were one of the earliest recorded civilizations to practice a form of dentistry. For example, the Edwin Smith Papyrus (17th-century B.C.) documented the types of treatments for some dental issues, and the Ebers Papyrus (16th-century B.C.) lists around 11 medications aimed to help dental issues. This includes filling agents for loose teeth. A CT scan of a 2,100-year-old Egyptian mummy showed some teeth had cavities filled with linen dipped in fig juice or cedar oil.

Other ancient documentation of dentistry includes the “Doctor of the Tooth,” Hesi-Re. The physician and scribe lived during the Third Egyptian Dynasty in 1600 B.C. One of his best claims to fame is being a pioneer in recognizing gum disease. Mummies during this period show evidence of oral reconstruction through primitive bridges that connected actual teeth with donor ones. It’s not clear, though, whether the dental work was done during the person’s lifetime, or performed as part of his preparation for the journey to the afterlife.

8. Mayan Cosmetic Dentistry

The Mayan civilization flourished in Central America between 1000 BC and AD 900. Their civilization was considered very advanced, as they established a network of independent states that featured both farming communities and urban centers. Historians believe that dentistry was a highly skilled practice among the Mayans. However, the evidence they left behind suggests that their dentistry objectives were not limited to oral health, but rather ritual and religious means. This makes them early practitioners of cosmetic dentistry. Included among these practices were some procedures that produced what some might call “weird teeth.”

Among the common procedures regularly performed by the Mayans was teeth filing. The finished work comes in many forms: notched, squared off, or filed down to smaller teeth. Surprisingly, this practice isn’t just reserved for the elite. Most of the population had access to this procedure.

7. The Legend of the Tooth Worm

Much like an apple with holes in it, medieval dentists believed a worm of some sort wreaked havoc on people’s teeth. During this time, medical officials believed that there are four major body fluids (blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile) and that a person’s health depends on the healthy interaction and balance between the four. Any imbalance among the four can cause some parts of the body to rot. Toothaches and cavities in particular are caused by the stagnation of the cold and wet phlegmatic humors. Medieval physicians likened the state to that of rotting fruit, which often has worms in it. They believe that a similar type of worm also eats away at teeth.

Tooth worms also figured prominently in Babylonian literature. Supposedly, a cuneiform tablet tells the story of “The Legend of the Tooth Worm.” This creature supposedly resides in the teeth and eats the roots and drinks the blood. A similar account also appears in Popol Vuh, or Mexico’s ancient text. Accounts point to a resident worm that eats into the teeth. In both cases, incidences of cavities and periodontitis were attributed to the mythical creature.

You might be asking why the worm personification became prominent universally? Some research holds a clue to these seemingly weird teeth. Modern veterinary findings show that the tooth’s necrotic pulp tooth has a wormlike appearance when extracted intact. A University of Maryland Baltimore study also came up with similar findings. Micro images of a dissected molar revealed worm-like structures. While definitely not caused by worms, these structures may have led to the mistaken belief that worms live in the mouth.

6. Ancient Etruscan Grills

According to Jean MacIntosh Turfa, co-author of the book The Golden Smile: The Etruscans and the History of Dentistry," this ancient culture was the authority in golden dentistry. Co-author Marshall Joseph Becker confirmed the assertion, saying that wealthy Etruscan women were the pioneers of wearing grills. Not just any grills of course, but ones made of gold.

"Certain high-status Etruscan women deliberately had [front teeth] removed in order to be fitted with a gold band appliance holding a replacement, or reused, tooth," Becker writes. However, goldsmiths rather than dentists did the jobs back then, which also makes the Etruscans among the first to explore cosmetic dentistry (like the Mayans). In fact, these gold grills are a bit delicate, and the wearer “couldn't bite an apple with these."

5. Bejeweled Mayan Teeth

Early Mayan dentists manually bore a small hole in the front of a tooth using a copper tube. Afterward, the hole would be fitted with a small gemstone, usually jadeite, iron pyrites, hematite, turquoise, quartz, serpentine, or cinnabar. Incredibly, the Mayans managed to fit the inlays perfectly within the hole. In addition, they likely used herbs to mask the pain during the process, while tree sap was used as ancient glue to adhere the jewel to the tooth. These works of art remain today, as you can view skulls with inlaid front teeth at the Mexico City museum and other historical institutions.

4. Vikings Filed Their Teeth

As if the Vikings weren’t formidable-looking enough in their battle gear, it seems that that the Nordic civilization also filed their teeth into elaborate patterns. Anthropologists discovered dozens of human skulls in Dorset, England in 2018. Crosschecking the known history in the area, they determined that the skulls belonged to Viking raiders that lost the Battle of Maldon. Careful examination of the teeth showed carefully finely made horizontal cuts in the front teeth. There were too many of these cuts and they were too expertly made to attribute them to natural causes.

Not only did the Vikings file their teeth but they also put pigment into the designs so they would show up brightly. While filing teeth is a widespread practice in Africa, this was the first instance of the practice found in Northern Europe. Whether the Vikings filed their teeth to intimidate others, or did it for fashion’s sake, the exact purpose remains unknown.

3. Japanese Black Teeth

In another example of interesting early dentistry, Japan popularized the practice of dyeing teeth black. Called Ohaguro (which means blackened teeth), 19th century Japan considered it a hallmark of beauty. To achieve the perfect darkness, the Japanese prepared a drink called Kanemizu, which consisted of iron fillings soaked in tea or sake and mixed with vinegar. Practitioners would drink this concoction once a day, which then stained the teeth and caused them to blacken permanently.

Ohaguro came about because of another local practice: whitening the face. However, a very white complexion often makes the teeth look yellower than usual. Instead of trying to compete with the whitening face powder, the Japanese thought of a novel solution. They started staining their teeth black to show contrast. Other cultures engaged in teeth blackening throughout Southeast Asia and parts of the Middle East.

2. Dentistry in Ancient China

Given their remarkable history as an Eastern powerhouse of medical knowledge, China also practiced advanced dentistry even during their earlier years. As early as 6000 BC, tooth extractions were commonplace in Ancient China. They also practiced acupuncture to treat pain from tooth decay. They also experimented with arsenic as a cure for toothaches. Ancient Chinese dentists showed remarkable knowledge in treating oral cavities and pioneered the use of silver amalgam as teeth filling.

In addition, the Chinese also practiced a rudimentary form of oral surgery. Extensive information can be gleaned about their studies of the abscesses of teeth and other oral structures. They also wrote about the various surgical techniques they employed.

1. Pulling Out Teeth to Indicate Social Status

This last practice isn’t about weird teeth, but more a curious practice that made sense during its time. The Jomon culture in the Japanese Archipelago, dating from 350 B.C., practiced teeth ablution, or removal of healthy teeth, for ceremonial purposes and as rites of passage. The practice continued until the end of the Jomon period and carried on into the early Yayoi period. During this time, around 90% of the population practiced ablution. Later during the Yayoi period, adults and mature Japanese continued the practice.

So why did the earlier Japanese voluntarily remove their otherwise healthy teeth? For the Jomon, commemorating certain milestones in life necessitated the removal of certain teeth. In addition, the missing tooth gave a visual clue to others about your place in the social class in the area. With a simple smile, Jomon culture made it possible to tell if a person is an adult, single, with children, or if they lost a loved one. As such, the need to ask these questions became unnecessary.

Modern Dentistry = Happy Teeth

There you have it! What you call weird teeth may have had different meanings for other cultures and time periods. These weird teeth were either a means to improve appearance, health, or may have held powerful religious or ritual significance. It’s best to keep an open mind when reading up on various practices of cultures, even in matters such as dentistry.

Today, leaders in modern dentistry, such as Sterngold Dental, make it easier for dentists and dental technicians, to deliver the perfect smile. With nearly 125 years in the dental business, Sterngold is committed to continuing the tradition of providing only the best dental products for restorative dentistry and continually expanding its product line based on the latest technological advancements and treatment options. Whether it’s providing digital dentures and mini implants or distributing holistic, prescription-strength CBD cream to treat TMJ discomfort, Sterngold Dental is here to help you grow your dental practice.