The cultural norm for smile aesthetics in America revolves around the whitest and brightest teeth possible. This may be because we revere youth and vitality, and our teeth are whitest when we’re young. We are also inundated with artificially white smiles through media images, and accept that this is what is attractive. Is it the same in other cultures? Not all of them. Schaumburg cosmetic dentist, Dr. Brent Engelberg, will speak about historical Asian traditions for women to blacken their teeth that still exist to this day.
Teeth Blackening in Japanese History
It is thought to have first started many years ago in Japan. For women to blacken the teeth meant a higher degree of sex appeal. Furthermore, those who blackened teeth as a practice had a higher likelihood of keeping their natural teeth longer. The same practices have been historically recorded in other cultures such as Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, and other Southeast Asian countries. Vietnamese women started phasing the practice out under the influence of the French in the late 1930s.
Current Vietnamese Tribal Traditions
Some Vietnamese people are trying to bring the teeth blackening tradition back. While there is a misconception amongst tourists that blackened teeth in the culture result from chewing on something called the betel nut, the blackening substance is actually the fruit of an Areca tree mixed with lime paste and then wrapped in a leaf from the betel pepper vine. Women in tribes chew the parcels much like tobacco is chewed in the United States. Similar to the Japanese theories, the Vietnamese tribes consider blackened teeth to symbolize that they are ready for marriage.
Teeth Whitening from Your Schaumburg Cosmetic Dentist
It’s unlikely that our culture will adopt teeth blackening as a cosmetic trend any time soon. However, if you would like to schedule an appointment with your cosmetic dentist in Schaumburg, Dr. Engelberg can offer a variety of services to give you the smile of your dreams. To reach our 60159 dentist office call 847-259-8030. We are happy to serve patients in Northbrook, Deerfield, Highland Park, Wilmette, Winnetka, Glencoe, Vernon Hills, Lincolnshire, Libertyville, Skokie, Evanston, Palatine, Schaumburg, Elk Grove Village, Rolling Meadows, Northwest Chicago Suburbs, and Northern Chicago Suburbs.
