George Washington had wooden teeth
| George Washington had wooden teeth | |
|---|---|
| FALSE | |
| "George Washington, the first president of the United States, wore dentures made of wood." | |
| Domain | History |
| Tactic | Fabrication |
| Era | Historical |
| First seen | 19th century |
| Origin | A popular legend of uncertain origin, possibly inspired by the brownish, grained appearance of stained ivory in Washington's surviving dentures |
| Last reviewed | 2026-10-27 |
| Further reading: books on History | |
The claim that George Washington had wooden teeth is a common American myth. Washington suffered from serious dental problems most of his adult life and had only one natural tooth left when he became president in 1789. He wore several sets of dentures, but none was made of wood. His dentures were made of materials including hippopotamus ivory, human teeth, animal teeth, lead and metal springs and fasteners. Wood would have been a poor material for dentures because it swells and decays when wet. Historians at Mount Vernon have also documented that Washington purchased teeth from enslaved people, possibly for use in dentures.
What the evidence shows
- Surviving dentures. A set of Washington's dentures preserved at Mount Vernon includes human and animal teeth, ivory and lead, with springs to hold them in place.
- Dental history. Washington's diaries and letters record toothaches and extractions. He lost his teeth over many years.
- Purchased teeth. Washington's financial records from 1784 include a payment to "Negroes" for nine teeth. Historians believe these may have been used in dentures or transplants. It is not known whether those enslaved people were coerced.
- Appearance. The ivory in his dentures may have developed stains and cracks over time that gave a wood-like appearance.
- Portraits. Ill-fitting dentures may explain the tight-lipped appearance in some portraits, such as Gilbert Stuart's.
Why it persists
The myth humanizes a founding figure and is memorable. Few people have seen the actual dentures, and wood seems like a plausible early-American material.
Lessons for readers
- Popular stories about famous figures are often wrong in details.
- Physical artifacts can test historical claims.
- Myths can obscure more uncomfortable history, such as Washington's purchase of enslaved people's teeth.
- Ask whether a claim makes practical sense.
See also
- George Washington could not tell a lie about the cherry tree
- Paul Revere shouted "The British are coming!"
- Betsy Ross sewed the first American flag
Sources
- Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, "George Washington's False Teeth," Washington Library digital encyclopedia.
- Mary V. Thompson, "The Only Unavoidable Subject of Regret": George Washington, Slavery, and the Enslaved Community at Mount Vernon (University of Virginia Press, 2019).