People in Japan used to dye their teeth black!
It was called “Ohaguro” and was common in Japan and Southeast Asia until the early 1900’s. The dye was usually made out of ferric acetate, which was the result of dissolving iron in vinegar. People would take this dye and smear it on their teeth every morning so when they smiled they would have pitch black teeth. So why would they do this? For one it was considered aristocratic and was a tradition since ancient times.
They considered black things beautiful, such as black paint and liquors. Although this sounds strange to Western cultures who desire the whitest teeth possible, it was actually good for you! The glaze protected against decay and preserved teeth when dental care had yet to take root!
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