George Washington’s Teeth, Were They Really Wooden?
The Truth
George Washington, the father of our country, the first President of the United States of America, one of the most famous people who ever lived. He was rich, famous, respected and honored, but he had one enduring problem; he had terrible teeth. He began losing teeth in his youth and by the time of his first inauguration, he had only one natural tooth left in his head. Washington was embarrassed by his poor dentition, and even though he had success, his poor dental health affected his life negatively. He had false teeth, dentures, but they did not work well for President Washington.
There is a common belief that General Washington had wooden teeth, but is this true?
NO, George Washington did not have wooden teeth. That is a myth and it is wrong. To find the answer to this question we need go no further than the home of Washington himself, Mount Vernon. He was not buried with his false teeth. They are on display, mounted in a glass case that allows the viewer to walk around and observe the dentures from every angle.
Dr. Susan Schoelwer, Senior Curator at George Washington’s Mount Vernon, explains in a fascinating video how the first president’s dentures were constructed. The actual dentures were mounted into a lead base. The upper teeth came from animals, mostly horses. The lower denture included cows teeth along with some actual human teeth as well.
Looking at the dentures at Mount Vernon bring to mind a torture device. The dentures were held together with a metal spring that would have forced Washington to clench his jaw to keep his mouth closed. Imagine spending your waking hours biting down on a lead frame against your gums. The poor guy. No wonder none of the images of our first President show him smiling. On closer inspection, he looks as if his jaw is swollen in paintings and statues. He was probably in pain most of the time.
Dentures from the “Olden” Days
People have always wanted to improve their smiles and their teeth. The first efforts at restoring teeth didn’t produce the quality we see today, but they tried their best with what they had. Even with the primitive methods used, replacing missing teeth was once for only the most privileged.
As long ago as 700 BC, dentures were made by the Etruscans, north of Rome. Only the extremely wealthy could afford the bands of gold with teeth inserted into them. Animal teeth were used, but human teeth from corpses were often the material of choice. Some of these were known as Waterloo Teeth, acquired from dead soldiers after the famous battle. Hardly ideal.
Ivory dentures, carved from elephant, hippo or other animal tusks, usually made not by dentists, but by artisans such as watchmakers. Like Washington’s dentures, these were also held in place with metal springs.
In the 1840s, rubber was employed for dentures after American industrialist Charles Goodyear developed Vulcanite. This was a huge step forward if only in terms of comfort. A little too late for our friend George, but a great benefit to restorative dentistry.
Why We are Lucky
Advancements in dentistry have been made year by year since the first rubber bases for dentures. They have become available to the general population, not just the rich.
There are as many reasons for losing teeth as there are teeth. Factors that contribute to tooth loss include unlucky genetics, poor nutrition, decay, gum disease, injury or illness. We are fortunate to live in an age of advanced technology in every area of society. Technology has made the choices for dental care truly amazing.
Modern procedures restore your smile and your confidence. Many options are open to the patient and we will help you decide.
Dentures
Available in full conventional, full immediate and partial. We’ll discuss the advantages of each and explain the prep, procedure, and follow up care.
Bridges
This is a great solution for completing a smile with teeth missing, with several ways to “bridge the gap” for a renewed look.
Implants
The latest innovation is tooth replacement. Your new tooth or teeth, are permanently attached to a metal “root” to keep them in place and give you a natural look, feel and function. Several techniques are used, but a new “All-on-4” implant uses four implants on the top and four on the bottom, giving a solid foundation if you need to replace a lot of teeth. Bone grafting may not be necessary and the recovery time is less than for more traditional implants.
All of these procedures are designed to improve your health and appearance. Loss of teeth can make your facial muscles droop. Dental restoration will benefit you not only physically, but also psychologically and socially. When you can eat and speak more effectively, your confidence will improve and you will enjoy a higher quality of life.
At Rosy Dental…
We care about your oral health, about how you feel and how you look. It’s too late to help George, but it’s not too late to help you or someone you care about. There is no need to be embarrassed or in pain because of your teeth. You will find whatever you need here. Regardless of your age or the condition of your teeth, we are here to serve your oral health needs.
One of our main goals is to make you comfortable. Please don’t let anxiety keep you off of the treatment chair. We go to great lengths to calm your fears, soothe your nerves and give you a positive experience and an ideal outcome. You won’t find an industrial and sterile office that rushes you in and out. Complimentary beverages, DVD movies, headphones, and aromatherapy are all part of our effort to make you feel at home. The more relaxed you are, the better for you and for us. We want you to be happy about coming to the dentist.
Don’t let financial concerns keep you from getting the treatment you need. Our office manager is happy to discuss special arrangements prior to your visit. We work with your insurance and offer payment and financing options.
We provide excellent comprehensive dental care for the entire family. Maintaining good oral health is essential to overall health. We want to make sure that every member of your family gets the care they need.
Call us at Rosy Dental
to schedule an appointment to discuss the needs of you and your family. We look forward to meeting you.