George Washington must have had significant problems with his teeth through the years, ending up with not one but several sets of full dentures. They were made from gold, lead, human teeth, and ivory. A long-standing story claims that Washington had false teeth made from wood also, but no evidence for this has been found. So how did this story come about?

One theory points to Washington’s ivory dentures. Ivory has a grain and if it becomes stained, it could be mistaken for wood. In fact around 1798, Washington’s dentist, Mr. John Greenwood, received a set of dentures from Washington needing repair. He wrote to Washington complaining they were stained and he suggested it was due to the “sower” [acidic] effect of the port wine that Washington drank. He implored George Washington to rinse his dentures with water and brush them!

We don’t know if the advice was taken but there seems to have been a mutual respect and friendship between the two men. When Dr. Greenwood reported he was thinking of retirement, Washington asked to be informed where he was retiring to, as he preferred Greenwood to any other dentist. Dr. Greenwood assured Washington that he would continue serving him after his retirement, even “when I have done with every other person.”

Washington’s birthday is February 22. Don’t forget to brush your teeth!

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