The Truth About George Washington's Dentures

You may have heard that the first president of the United States, George Washington, wore dentures made of wood. You probably also learned that the future leader chopped down a coveted cherry tree when he was a boy, and – displaying strong character at an early age – refused to lie about the deed when confronted by his angry father.

While both of these are wonderful tales involving George Washington and wood, neither story is actually rooted in fact. Indeed, the cherry tree story was fabricated by author Mason Locke Weems, in an 1800 biography of Washington. It is not evident how the far-reaching but fictitious wooden dentures legend originated.

George Washington did wear dentures, but contrary to popular belief, they were not made of wood (cherry or otherwise). According to the Associated Press, a team of researchers performed laser scans on a set of Washington's dentures in 2005 at the National Museum of Dentistry in Baltimore, and identified their contents as ivory, gold, lead, and human teeth.

Washington suffered from painful dental problems throughout his adult life, resulting in the loss of all his teeth but one – reportedly a lower left bicuspid – at the time of his inauguration at age 57. Over time he was fitted with several sets of dentures, most by renowned denture-maker John Greenwood. Although the president's dentures certainly represented the best technology available at the time, Washington was often in pain, and frequently had to make adjustments to keep his dentures functioning properly.

Dental technology and oral health have come a long way since the American Revolution. Were our first president around today, he likely would have avoided dentures. Here are some tips for those would-be Washingtons out there on how to keep your natural teeth:

* Brush and floss daily. Lack of regular care can lead to gum disease, which can lead to tooth loss.
* Visit us at Wise Orthodontics! We'll let you know, based on the condition of your teeth and gums, how often you should make appointments. Regular professional cleanings are important to keeping your teeth healthy, and we can often pinpoint trouble areas (gum recession, cavities, and more) before you can see or feel them.
* If you have already lost a few teeth, consider partial dentures instead of a full set. The more natural teeth you can keep, the better off you are.
* If you do need replacements, remember that dental implants are growing in popularity. Because they are permanently fixed to your jaw, implants feel and act more like natural teeth. (In other words, you don't have to worry about losing them when you bite into a crunchy apple.)

And the next time you look at a dollar bill, remember: there's a reason old George isn't smiling. Now go brush your teeth!