4 Fun Facts About George Washington’s Teeth, from Fuquay Pediatric Dentistry!

George Washington might have had the most renowned teeth in American history. If you are a parent or guardian hoping to interest your child in an upcoming dental appointment, here are some fun facts about the many dental issues that beset the orally-unfortunate Founding Father.

Washington’s Teeth Weren’t Wooden

The famous “fact” that George Washington wore wooden teeth is actually an urban legend. But Washington did own several sets of dentures, made from varying combinations of hippopotamus ivory, human teeth, and metal. According to historical accounting records from Mount Vernon, some of the teeth may have been pulled from Washington’s slaves. However, this claim has very little evidence to go off of, and is therefore the subject of much controversy among historians.

Washington Lost Most of His Teeth by His 40s 

Dental issues plagued Washington for most of his adult life, most likely due to factors that were common at the time, such as a poor diet, disease, and lack of oral hygiene. As a result, Washington began to experience tooth decay and tooth loss as early as his twenties. By the time Washington was inaugurated at age 57, he had only one real tooth left.

Washington Gave His Last Tooth to his Dentist

For his inauguration ceremony, Washington enlisted John Greenwood, a former Revolutionary soldier and a pioneer in American dentistry, to create a Presidential set of dentures for him. Greenwood crafted a set out of hippopotamus ivory, gold wire, and brass screws. He left a hole in the dentures to accommodate Washington’s single remaining tooth, as he believed a dentist should “never extract a tooth…[when] there is a possibility of saving it.” When Washington finally lost this tooth as well, he gave it to Greenwood, whose family saved it as a cherished heirloom.

Washington’s Dentures Were Highly Uncomfortable

Though Washington’s dentures were created by some of the best dentists the late 18th century had to offer, they were visually very unsightly. Keeping his false teeth looking pearly white was a constant chore, and Washington often shipped them off to Greenwood for treatment. Without regular care and cleaning, the false teeth would easily turn brown, and their occasionally-bronzed appearance may have started the rumor that they were made from wood.

Far worse than being unattractive, however, the dentures were bulky and caused the President almost constant pain and discomfort. They also forced the President’s lips to, as he once wrote, “bulge” in an unnatural fashion. This disfigurement is particularly evident in Gilbert Stuart’s famous 1796 painting of Washington, which appears on the one-dollar bill.

Keep Your Teeth Looking Pearly White with Our Fuquay Varina Pediatric Dentist!

You can avoid our first President’s fate by taking care of your teeth with all the technology and knowledge this century has available to you. If you are looking for pediatric dentist in Fuquay-Varina, call Fuquay Pediatric Dentistry today to schedule an appointment!