Outdated hygiene practices that are anything but clean

Soldiers’ Teeth Were Used to Make Dentures

In the 19th century, dentures made from actual human teeth were considered the gold standard for replacing lost chompers, especially among the wealthy. After battles like Waterloo, looters would collect teeth from fallen soldiers and sell them to dentists. These macabre relics were known as “Waterloo teeth.”

The thought of rocking a dead soldier’s tooth today is terrifying, but back then, it was just another business transaction. For the well-to-do, having a mouthful of someone else’s pearly whites was better than going toothless.