Washington's Tooth Troubles

“George Washington needs pincers to fasten the wire for his teeth?”

“His teeth ‘stand in need of cleaning’?” Another mocked.

“He’s requesting a tooth scraper? His Excellency, General Gums!”

This British-captured letter was intended to reach one of Washington’s dentists, Dr. John Baker. And it wasn’t the only missive the General penned concerning his chompers. Over the course of his life, tooth decay, abscesses, and other oral ailments were a source of great pain and even embarrassment for the General. At the age of 24, he had his first tooth pulled, despite staunch efforts to care for his pearly whites.

Washington’s tooth infirmities were no secret. In 1760, fellow Virginian Captain George Mercer wrote that the General’s “mouth is largely and generally firmly closed, but which from time to time discloses some defective teeth.” Even John Adams commented on the sad state of Washington’s mouth, noting that Washington attributed his unfortunate smile to cracking walnuts when he was a boy.

During the Revolutionary War, Washington summoned French dentist Jean Pierre Le Mayeur to come to his New York headquarters for some much needed dental work. At the age of 49, Washington had already been wearing false teeth wired around his remaining ones for the past two years. Dr. Le Mayeur also visited Mount Vernon frequently from 1784 to 1788, and became a great favorite with the Washington family.

General Washington, always concerned about his appearance, noted to New York dentist Dr. Greenwood on January 20, 1797 that his dentures “bulge my lips out in such a manner as to make them appear considerably swelled.” That same year, a new set of dentures was ordered – his last.

During his presidency, he had just one remaining tooth – which he also eventually lost. During these hectic years, Washington used a traveling dental set which included a tooth brush, tooth powder (what we could call toothpaste), and a tongue scraper. He also kept a set of dental cleaning tools, similar to those a modern dental hygienist would use, at Mount Vernon.

If Washington was alive today, he’d certainly be a huge supporter of the six-month dental check-up!

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