George Washington’s Dentures: Not Made of Wood! (A Fact)

Picture George Washington. Stern, resolute, the father of a nation. Now, picture his smile. What comes to mind? For many, it’s the clunky, uncomfortable image of wooden teeth. This persistent notion has been passed down through generations, becoming almost as iconic as the cherry tree legend. But like many popular tales, this one crumbles under scrutiny. It’s high time we set the record straight: George Washington did not have wooden dentures. The story of his dental struggles is far more complex, and in many ways, more humanizing than the enduring myth.

Why Did the Wooden Teeth Myth Take Root?

It’s easy to see how such a story might have captured the public imagination. Wood was a common material in the 18th century, used for everything from ships to shoe soles. Perhaps the dark staining that some of Washington’s dentures acquired over time, from things like port wine or due to the porous nature of ivory, gave them a brownish, wooden appearance. Or maybe it was simply a colorful detail that made a monumental figure seem a bit more rustic and relatable, an anecdote to humanize an icon. Whatever the origin, the image of Washington grimacing with a mouthful of splinters is a stubborn one, but it remains entirely inaccurate when confronted with historical and material evidence.

A Glimpse into Washington’s Dental Struggles: The True Materials

The reality of George Washington’s dental woes is far more intricate and, frankly, more revealing of the era’s medical practices than the wooden teeth myth suggests. He suffered from dental problems throughout his adult life, losing his first adult tooth in his early twenties. By the time he became president in 1789, he had only one natural tooth remaining. His relentless quest for functional dentures led him to employ the services of several pioneering dentists of his time, including Dr. John Baker, Dr. Jean-Pierre Le Mayeur, and most notably, Dr. John Greenwood, his primary dental caregiver in his later years.

A Medley of Materials (None of Them Wood)

Washington’s dentures were marvels of 18th-century dental technology, though they were often uncomfortable, ill-fitting, and a source of constant irritation. They were crafted from a surprising and diverse array of materials, showcasing the ingenuity and the limitations of the period:

• Human Teeth: This is perhaps the most startling material to modern sensibilities. Washington did indeed purchase human teeth. His own account books meticulously record payments for teeth. These were likely sourced from various individuals, including impoverished people willing to sell their teeth for income, and, according to research by historians at Mount Vernon, from enslaved individuals on his own plantation. This grim detail underscores the ethical complexities and social realities of the 18th century.
• Animal Teeth: Teeth from animals, such as horses and donkeys, were commonly carved, shaped, and incorporated into denture frameworks. These were often used alongside or in place of human teeth.
• Ivory: Hippopotamus ivory was a favored material for carving the denture base plates, into which the teeth were set. Elephant and walrus ivory were also sometimes used. While more durable and workable than wood for this purpose, ivory was still prone to cracking, absorbing stains, and emitting odors over time.
• Metal Components: Various metals played crucial roles in the construction and function of his dentures. Lead was often used to fill the base of some lower dentures, providing weight to help keep them in place. Gold wire and rivets were used for structural integrity, and brass screws helped secure individual teeth. Perhaps most infamously, steel springs were used to connect the upper and lower plates in some designs, creating tension to hold them against the gums. These springs were notoriously uncomfortable and contributed to the distorted facial expressions sometimes noted in his portraits.

It’s plausible that the ivory, being porous, absorbed stains from beverages like port wine or from food, eventually taking on a dark, brownish hue. This discoloration might have led observers, or later storytellers, to mistakenly assume the material was wood.

Verified historical records and surviving artifacts confirm George Washington’s dentures were crafted from materials like human and animal teeth, hippopotamus ivory, gold, and lead. No credible physical or documentary evidence supports the widespread myth of his wooden dentures. His own detailed letters and account books further document payments for these non-wooden materials and dental services.

The Proof is in the Presidential Pincers: Surviving Evidence

We don’t have to rely on speculation or folklore to debunk the wooden teeth myth. Several sets of George Washington’s actual dentures have survived and are preserved in museums, offering tangible proof of their composition. One famous full set, his last remaining one, is prominently displayed at his Mount Vernon estate in Virginia. This set, crafted by Dr. John Greenwood, features an ivory base, human and animal teeth, and gold wires. Another notable set can be found at the Dr. Samuel D. Harris National Museum of Dentistry in Baltimore, Maryland, an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution. Examination of these artifacts by experts has consistently shown the use of ivory, gold, lead, and teeth from various sources – but absolutely no wood. Furthermore, Washington’s own extensive correspondence and meticulously kept financial ledgers provide irrefutable proof. He wrote numerous letters to his dentists, particularly Dr. Greenwood, discussing his discomfort, the fit of his dentures, and specific requests for adjustments. His account books detail payments for dental services, for individual teeth, and for the crafting of these complex prosthetics. These primary sources paint a vivid and often poignant picture of his ongoing battle with dental health, a struggle far removed from any simplistic wooden contraptions.

Wood? An Impractical and Unhygienic Choice for the Mouth

Beyond the concrete evidence from surviving dentures and historical documents, simple common sense and an understanding of material properties dictate why wood would have been an exceedingly unsuitable material for dentures, even in the 18th century. Consider the inherent characteristics of wood:

• Porosity and Absorption: Wood is highly porous. In the moist environment of the mouth, it would rapidly absorb saliva, food particles, and bacteria. This would lead to quick saturation, foul odors, and a profoundly unhygienic situation, likely causing infections and further oral health problems.
• Staining, Taste, and Odor: Wood would quickly and permanently stain from food and beverages. It would also likely leach tannins or other compounds, imparting an unpleasant taste and contributing to bad breath.
• Durability and Comfort Issues: Wood, when constantly wet, is prone to swelling, warping, splintering, and cracking. Imagine the excruciating discomfort of wooden splinters embedded in the gums or tongue. It would also be incredibly difficult to carve wood into the precise, smooth shapes required for a comfortable or functional dental prosthetic that could withstand chewing forces.

While craftsmen of the era were undeniably skilled in working with wood for many applications, its fundamental properties make it entirely impractical for prolonged intraoral use. Dentists of the time, though working with the best technology available to them, understood the need for materials that were more durable, less absorbent, and capable of being shaped with greater precision, hence their preference for ivory and bone, despite their own limitations.

More Than Just a Smile: The Profound Impact of Poor Dental Health

Washington’s dental problems were far more than just a source of physical discomfort; they significantly impacted his daily life, his public persona, and possibly even his decision-making. The ill-fitting and often painful dentures made eating a challenge and speaking clearly difficult. This is believed to be one contributing factor to why he was often perceived as taciturn, overly serious, or aloof in public appearances. He was reportedly quite self-conscious about his appearance and the way his dentures affected his speech and the shape of his mouth. His personal letters frequently reveal his frustration and suffering. He complained to Dr. John Greenwood about the bulkiness, poor fit, and the painful pressure exerted by his dentures. The powerful springs used in some sets, designed to keep the upper and lower plates in place, constantly pushed outwards, likely contributing to the sunken appearance of his mouth and noticeable changes in his facial contours, which are subtly visible when comparing earlier and later portraits. This constant battle with his teeth serves to humanize the stoic, iconic figure we often see in paintings and statues, reminding us of the very real, everyday struggles even the greatest leaders can face.

A Subtle Shift in Presidential Portraits

Art historians and dental experts have noted subtle but discernible changes in portraits of Washington painted throughout his life. These changes may well reflect his deteriorating dental health and the increasingly cumbersome and disfiguring nature of his prosthetic teeth. The tight-lipped expressions, the slight puffiness or distortion around the mouth, and the general air of discomfort evident in some later depictions might be a direct visual testament to the chronic pain and inconvenience he endured. It speaks volumes about his personal fortitude and unwavering sense of duty that he managed to lead a revolution, shape a new government, and serve as the first president while dealing with such persistent and distracting personal agony.

Dispelling the Myth, Honoring the Man

So, the next time you encounter the familiar tale of George Washington’s wooden teeth, you can confidently and accurately set the record straight. The reality of his dental struggles – the painstakingly carved ivory, the ethically fraught acquisition of human teeth, the use of animal teeth, and the ingenious (though uncomfortable) gold springs and lead weights – is far more fascinating and historically revealing than the simplistic myth. This truth speaks to the limitations of 18th-century medical and dental science, the resourcefulness of early dental practitioners, and the remarkable personal resilience of a man who led a nascent nation through its formative years, all while battling excruciating and relentless dental pain. Knowing the true story of Washington’s dentures doesn’t diminish his stature; rather, it adds another compelling layer to our understanding of this complex and pivotal historical figure. It highlights his endurance in the face of very personal, very human adversity, making his accomplishments all the more remarkable. The myth of wooden teeth, while quaint, obscures a more interesting and historically significant reality.