Summary: The Amish typically have their teeth pulled out by unlicensed dentists instead of incurring the high cost of dentistry. They perceive dentures as more cost effective and easier to maintain oral health.
Most Amish live in poverty and are detached from modern health care. In addition, the recent change of their lifestyle has been reported, such as consuming a nontraditional diet and the usage of electronic devices. As a result, their lifestyle change may have impacted their oral health.
On "Breaking Amish," Rebecca revealed that her parents chose for the local Amish dentist to remove all of her teeth when she was 19-years old, as this is a common Amish tradition.
Dentures are more cost effective than lifetime oral care. Having a tooth, a number or teeth, or mouthful of teeth removed is commonplace among the Amish. The expense of caring for teeth would be considered vain and impractical to the Amish.
The Amish believe in forgiveness, but they also believe in consequences. Offenders must make things right with those they've harmed and take responsibility for their actions. There are two main types of punishment in the Amish community: shunning, ex-communication.
Feminine Hygiene
Female Amish wash their hair and wear it in a bun. As for makeup, Amish women aren't allowed to wear cosmetics or adornments considered worldly. This includes lipstick, mascara, eye shadow, and jewelry.
In addition, members of the Amish community are allowed to remarry after their spouse passes. Widows sometimes garner financial assistance from their families or the church and may even find work outside of the home, according to Amish America.
Hair Is Sacred
The Amish are devout Christians, and as such, many of their traditions originate from the Bible. The Amish perceive hair as a sacred symbol of devotion to God.
The Amish also believe marriage should be between a man and a woman. Same-sex relationships are not allowed within the Amish community. Unmarried Amish men and women aren't supposed to have any physical contact with each other. This includes kissing, hugging, and even holding hands.
The Amish believe that hair is a sacred symbol of devotion to God. Therefore, cutting or changing it in any way would be considered disrespectful and display a lack of commitment to God.
The Amish believe that going barefoot keeps them closer to the earth and nature, and therefore keeps them closer to God. There's no easier way to enhance the bond with God's natural creations. As such a pious people, this is of great importance to the Amish.
Therefore, it's not uncommon for Amish people to visit local Amish dentists to have some or even all of their teeth removed. Extraction is often viewed as a more affordable and convenient solution to dental issues than trying to fix a problematic tooth. As such, many Amish people—even youths—wear dentures.
What do Amish wear to bed? Many Amish women wear handmade nightgowns to bed. During the 18th century, the shifts women wore under day dresses doubled as their nightwear. Today, nightgowns are often made from cotton, though they may also be flannel for more warmth.
In order to separate themselves physically from those who would engage in military service (while letting the world know they were married, because the Amish don't exchange wedding rings), they decided to grow beards but shave their lips.
One form of dwarfism, Ellis-van Creveld syndrome, involves not only short stature but polydactyly (extra fingers or toes), abnormalities of the nails and teeth, and, in about half of individuals, a hole between the two upper chambers of the heart. The syndrome is common in the Amish because of the "founder effect."
So the Amish do bathe using soap and water just like the rest of us, even if they're sometimes a bit more old-fashioned about it. It's both a reminder of the importance of tradition and history to the Amish and that they aren't as different from us in some basic human ways as we might think.
Amish women, however, have to wear their head coverings at all times. An Amish bonnet or head covering is called kapp (or prayer cover). It is worn and topped with a black Amish bonnet used by women in Amish communities during certain occasions.
Amish Beard Rules Were Among the First Amish Laws
He believed that, because God designed man to grow a beard, it was God's Will that man grow a beard. And therefore, shaving it off was a sin. But the Amish are not alone in their reverence for the beard.
Marriage is deemed a sacred act in the eyes of God. As marriages between Amish and outsiders are forbidden, instances of Amish dating outsiders are rare but not entirely unheard of.
A family leaves behind the trappings of the 21st century to lead a simple, self-sufficient and pious life in rural Tasmania.
The very next verse, Leviticus 19:28 cautions against the act of tattooing. Therefore, the Amish do not allow their community members to get tattoos. Piercings and earrings are also not allowed, as these are seen as signs of worldliness and vanity.
The Amish do not let their mustaches grow, ever. This tradition dates back hundreds of years and connects to the fact that the Amish refuse to enlist in the military. The Amish are non-violent people, and back in the day, mustaches were associated with the forces — in which they wanted no part.
Couples who are bundling typically sleep in separate beds that are pushed together. They may also sleep in the same bed, but with a board between them to prevent any physical contact.
The Amish don't believe in divorce. It's prohibited within their communities and goes against their core beliefs.
Pennsylvania Dutch is the language used by the Amish population here in Lancaster County. It is considered to be their first and native language. The Amish learn to read, write and speak in English, allowing them to communicate with the 'outside world'.