INTERACTIVE TIMELINE

A History of Dental Troubles
George Washington experienced problems with his teeth throughout his adult life. Although he regularly used dental powders and a toothbrush similar to our own, his tooth loss persisted.
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Were George Washington's dentures really made of wood? Separate fact from fiction and learn more about George Washington and his troublesome teeth.
Despite his legendary physical strength and iron constitution, George Washington’s failing teeth were a source of regular suffering throughout his entire life. At age 24, Washington recorded in his diary that he paid 5 shillings to a “Doctr Watson” who removed one of his teeth. Letters and diary entries later in his life make regular reference to aching teeth, lost teeth, inflamed gums, ill-fitting dentures, and a host of other dental miseries. Payments to dentists and purchases of toothbrushes, teeth scrapers, denture files, toothache medication, and cleaning solutions are also regularly present in Washington’s communications throughout his life.
Learn More about Washington's Dentures
One of the most enduring myths about George Washington is that his dentures were made of wood. It’s quite possible that some of his dentures, particularly after they had been stained, took on a wooden complexion, but wood was never used in the construction of any of his dental fittings.
Throughout his life Washington employed numerous full and partial dentures that were constructed of materials including human, and probably cow and horse teeth, ivory (possibly elephant), lead-tin alloy, copper alloy (possibly brass), and silver alloy.
In 1781, a pre-eminent dentist by the name of Dr. Jean-Pierre Le Mayeur escaped from British occupied New York City and passed through the nearby American lines. Le Mayeur had been providing dental services to Sir Henry Clinton, commander of the British forces in the region, and a host of other senior British officers.
The French born Le Mayeur, disgusted by derogatory comments made by a British officer against the Franco-American alliance, decided he had had enough and packed up his dental tools and headed off to find the Americans. Once it was determined that Le Mayeur was sincere in his desire to serve the American cause, General Washington eagerly sought out his services. The two eventually grew quite close, and Le Mayeur was a frequent visitor to Mount Vernon in the years just after the close of the Revolutionary War.
Dr. Susan Schoelwer gives you a tour of Washington's dentures
Watch the VideoSee how the dentures were constructed.
Dr. John Greenwood fashioned George Washington a technologically advanced set of dentures carved out of hippopotamus ivory and employing gold wire springs and brass screws holding human teeth.
Next to the Cherry Tree legend, the story that George Washington wore wooden dentures arguably remains the most widespread and enduring myth about Washington's personal life.
The cherry tree myth is the most well-known and longest enduring legend about George Washington. So did he really chop down the cherry tree?
Mason Locke Weems, more commonly known as Parson Weems, was an American author who wrote several biographies of historical figures, the most famous of which was his 1800 biography of George Washington, The Life of Washington.
In 1780, about seventy miles north of New York City, some strange bones and teeth were discovered. General George Washington and the Continental Army were in winter quarters nearby and, when word of the discovery reached Washington, his curiosity aroused.
Yes, George Washington grew hemp. But not the kind you're thinking of... Although George Washington’s initial interest in hemp was to determine if it could be a viable cash crop, he proceeded to cultivate it just to meet the needs of his own plantation.