Most of us have heard the story of George Washington’s teeth. For those who do not know, there is a long-standing theory that in his later years he had dentures made of wood. Although this is a popular rumor, George Washington’s teeth were not in fact constructed from wood.
What Were They Made of?
Our first president’s fake teeth were made of several materials, but none of them were wood. His dentures were actually constructed from the following substances:
- Ivory
- Gold
- Lead
There are many stories about how President Washington came to have wooden teeth. One of the most far-fetched ideas is that he carved them out of wood himself. Although the precise origin of the wooden teeth myth is not exactly clear, most historians speculate that it came about because of the staining that naturally occurred over time on his ivory teeth.
Even though his teeth were not made out of wood, his dentures caused him some degree of pain. According to a www.mountvernon.org, Washington complained that his fake teeth “are both uneasy in the mouth and bulge my lips out” and “have, by degrees worked loose.”
Fortunately, modern dentistry has made leaps and bounds since the days of our first president. From state-of-the-art lasers to the most technologically advanced dental procedures, cosmetic dentistry can vastly improve just about anyone’s oral health and the appearance of their teeth.
At his Beverly Hills practice, Dr. Kevin Sands offers a wide array of cosmetic dental treatments to help each and every one of his patients achieve the smile they desire. If you are interested in improving the appearance of your teeth, we encourage you to contact our practice by calling (310) 273-0111 or by filling out our online contact form today.