Most Weird Fashion Trends Throughout History

Human Tooth Sharpening

Tooth sharpening is an ancient custom practiced in various cultures including the Maya, certain African tribes, and Indonesian communities. Teeth were filed to points as a form of body modification with spiritual or social meaning. It could symbolize strength, adulthood, beauty, or readiness for marriage depending on the culture.

In some traditions, sharpened teeth were thought to resemble predatory animals, linking the wearer to power or protection. The process was often painful and done without anesthesia. Though it might seem extreme today, it was a respected rite of passage. In modern times, tooth sharpening still exists in small communities as a cultural preservation effort.

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