Old-fashioned hygiene practices that are anything but clean

Rotten Teeth Were Once a Sign of Nobility

These days, healthy, white teeth are considered the epitome of good hygiene. But back in the 16th century, black or rotten teeth were a fashion statement – they signaled that you could afford sugar. Sugar was an expensive luxury back then, and consuming it was a status symbol.

Queen Elizabeth I was known for her severely decayed teeth, and people of lower classes would even darken their teeth to mimic her look. Talk about a bizarre twist on beauty standards – and another example of the lengths people would go to for social standing.