The Origin Of The Viral Black Gigi Trend On TikTok

JAKARTA - In the midst of the popularity of the Veneer and perfect white teeth care, a much different trend has actually emerged among Gen Z, namely thick black teeth. One that recently popularized it was North West.

In a TikTok video, he appears with a black-toothed smile complete with a fake facial tattoo. This appearance sparked netizens' curiosity. But many may not realize that this trend is nothing new.

Reporting from the Bustle page, black teeth have a long history of centuries, especially in beauty traditions in Asia and are now reappearing as part of aesthetic exploration in opium subculture.

Long before the appearance of dental bleach, black teeth were once a beauty standard in Asia. In Japan, this practice is known as ohaguro. The process is carried out by soaking iron powder in a mixture of vinegar and sake or tea, then the liquid is used to color teeth. This tradition has been popular especially among aristocratic women since the 10th century.

Ohaguro is not just a matter of appearance. The thick black color of the teeth is a symbol of maturity, sophistication, and maturity of a woman. In contrast to the white powder on the face, the typical beauty style of the Heian and Edo eras is considered to emit economy. In addition, the iron-based layer also functions as a natural protector of tooth damage.

However, this habit began to be abandoned around 1870 when Western influence entered Japan. At that time, Meiji's government encouraged modernization and white teeth to be seen as a new beauty standard.

Similar practices were also found in Vietnam, China, and parts of Southeast Asia. In Vietnam, white teeth are actually considered scary because they look like ghosts or wild animals. Therefore, the process of nhu calm (blackening teeth) is carried out as a form of spiritual protection.

The process took weeks, starting with applying orange juice and rice wine to prepare the surface of the teeth, then followed by dyes made from coconut shells that were burned or iron solutions.

In many Asian cultures, black teeth are not a symbol of fear or chaos, but rather beauty, status, and protection.

Entering 2025, this trend has re-emerged, especially in the world of underground rap music. A number of artists and influencers who have Asian or African backgrounds, such as Sukii Baby and Molly Santana appear with modern 'black grip' versions of black teeth.

This trend also absorbs into the aesthetics of 'Opium style', a subculture inspired by the music label Playboi Carti. This style often features all-black clothes, leather ingredients, heavy accessories, piercings, and the influence of goth and punk styles.

North West's appearance with the viral black teeth itself was part of a look to attend the Ken total concert, one of the musicians from the Opium label.

But like many other trends on social media, there is a risk of cultural meaning and history being lost. Many TikTok users now only use FX paint to paint teeth as a mere visual experiment, without understanding the context. In a 15-second video, a symbol of identity can turn into just a strange Gen Z trend.

Therefore, the resurgence of the black teeth trend should not only be seen as an aesthetic or a surprise. If done with understanding, this trend becomes an opportunity to recognize that beauty standards are always changing and often what is considered ancient can return to being modern.