Different cultures have very different ways of taking care of their teeth and gums. Each has its own traditions and habits when it comes to dental care. Outsiders might find some of these practices strange or even weird, but they are an interesting look into the rich tapestry of human history and diversity. We’ll look at some strange oral habits and practices from around the world in this blog post.
Betel Nut Chewing (Asia and the Pacific)
People in many Asian and Pacific countries chew betel nuts, which is a very common and strange habit. People chew on this reddish-brown seed, which is wrapped in betel leaves and often mixed with slaked lime to wake them up. It’s a long-standing practice, but betel nut can damage your teeth by staining them and making them decay.
Teeth Filing (Bali, Indonesia)
A usual thing to do in Bali is to file down the sharp edges of your teeth to make the surface flat. The Balinese think that this process keeps bad spirits from getting into the body through the teeth. Even though the traditional meaning is important, it can be bad for your teeth.
Tooth Blackening (Japan)
In Japan during the Heian era (794–1185), women who wanted to look “lacquer-like” would blacken their teeth. The teeth turned a dark color after a mix of iron and vinegar was put on them. It’s a unique part of Japanese past, even though the practice has mostly died out.
Masi (Hawaii)
As part of Hawaiian culture, “masi” means filing the teeth into sharp points that look like the mouth of a shark. People thought that this custom gave them shark-like strength and protection. It’s a unique part of Hawaiian culture, though it’s not done very often or at all these days.
Tooth Sharpening (Maya Civilization, Central America)
The ancient Maya changed people’s teeth by filing them into different forms, like notches, grooves, or even completely sharpened points. It’s still not clear why this was done, but it was probably a sign of beauty and status.
Oil Pulling (India and Other Countries)
People traditionally clean their teeth by swishing oil (usually coconut, sesame, or sunflower) around in their lips for 15 to 20 minutes. People think that this practice is good for oral health because it gets rid of toxins and makes gums healthier. Some people might find oil pulling strange, but it has become more common in recent years because it might be good for you.
Wooden Tooth Replacement (Papua New Guinea)
Some Papua New Guinean groups have traditional dental practices that involve taking out teeth for a variety of reasons, such as during coming-of-age ceremonies or for religious reasons. To fill in the spaces left by missing teeth, wooden pegs or sticks are introduced. Even though this doesn’t happen as often these days, it shows how culturally diverse Papua New Guinea is.
Chew Sticks (Africa and Middle East)
People in many parts of Africa and the Middle East clean their teeth with chew sticks, also known as “miswak.” These sticks are used to clean your teeth and gums. They are made from the Salvadora persica tree. People think they have natural antiseptic powers.
Tooth Inlaying (Siberia)
Tooth inlaying is a traditional practice in some Siberian cultures. It involves putting small pieces of metal, bone, or semiprecious stones into tooth holes to make them look nice. Even though it’s not done very often these days, it shows how different cultures have used oral traditions to share their art in many different ways.
To someone from outside the culture, these practices may seem strange, but they have deep roots in history and culture. They are very interesting because they show how people have taken care of their teeth and shown who they are culturally throughout history. Many of these practices have changed or stopped happening in modern times, but their histories continue to help us learn more about oral health and cultural traditions.
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