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by kanjalid on April 30th, 2005

kanjalid

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Did George Washington wear wooden teeth?

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  • by MarshalFoche on February 16th, 2007

    MarshalFoche

    No, but he did have false teeth and they we made out of various substances.


    DR. JERRY GORDON
    George Washington ate here- but with his own teeth?


    A famous painting of Washington in 1779 shows a scar on his left cheek, believed to be the result of a badly abscessed tooth.

    Most people know that our first president had false teeth. I suspect that few people are aware that George Washington was plagued with toothaches most of his adult life. His diaries contain multiple references to dental pain, and this may have contributed to his well known quick temper. George Washington lost his teeth from periodontal or gum disease. At the time of his inauguration as president, he had only one tooth left. Washington was treated by no fewer than eight prominent dentists who practiced in colonial America, but his favorite was John Greenwood.

    Washington had frequent dental problems during his tenure as general commanding the Continental army. A famous painting of Washington in 1779 shows a scar on his left cheek, believed to be the result of a badly abscessed tooth. One correspondence from Washington to a dentist in 1783 was a request for material to take an impression (mold) of his mouth. He would then send the impression back to the dentist for a denture to be made.

    Dentist John Greenwood made several sets of dentures for Washington. Despite popular belief, Washington never had wooden dentures. His dentures were made from gold, elephant ivory, hippopotamus tusk, and human teeth. Modern dentures are usually made out of acrylic. Denture teeth are also made out of acrylic, and porcelain in some cases.

    On a humorous note, it appears that Washington complained to his dentist Greenwood about his denture teeth discoloring. Greenwood suggested that Washington not soak his dentures in Port wine or drink it wearing the dentures. Washington should take the dentures out and soak them in water and clean them with a brush. This advice is not off the mark, even by today’s standards. Of course today we have stronger cleansing agents that can remove denture stains, newer denture brushes, and denture teeth that are more stain resistant. Even so, it appears that our first president’s dentist did an admirable job despite the limitations of dentistry at that time.

    http://www.dentalcomfortzone.com/Template.asp?TemplateID=199

    Comments

    • thank you

      Samantha

      by Samantha on February 16th, 2007

    • Quite educational and entertaining reading. I now have a toothache. still--pts 4 u.

      R U Sirius

      by R U Sirius on February 16th, 2007

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