The practice is popular among Coloureds and has occasionally been done by White and Chinese South Africans in the area.
[1][2] For many years, Cape Town residents had their upper front teeth extracted due to regional cultural fashion.
A 2003 study performed by the University of Cape Town found that the main reasons for extracting teeth were fashion and peer pressure followed by gangsterism and medical purposes.
[1] Other reasons for a passion gap include the belief of improved oral sex and kissing.
[5] During the mid-seventeenth century, slaves often removed their teeth as a means to "take back control of their own bodies".