Vintage Hygiene Practices That Are the Very Opposite of Clean

Burnt Herbs and Wine Were Used to Clean Teeth

Dental hygiene in the Victorian era was far from minty fresh. People brushed with burnt herbs like rosemary and rinsed with wine or vinegar. In some cases, they even used urine. Unsurprisingly, bad breath was likely a widespread issue.

Although these methods may have helped somewhat, they were a poor substitute for real toothpaste. One can only imagine the conversations—nose-pinching likely required.