The Whole Tooth

By: Greg Kandra
Topics: CBS Stuff

(CBS)

Last night's Evening News reported on forensic evidence that George Washington may not have looked the way we think he did – and mentioned that his legendary wooden teeth were just a myth.

That prompted this e-mail from a concerned viewer:

During your segment about George Washington…you said that the claim of Washington's having had wooden false teeth was not true. However, in the summer of 1970, my children and I toured Mount Vernon and its little museum and displayed there was a set of his wooden chompers, supposedly stained by so much Madera wine. I think it unlikely that the museum conservator would mislead the public. Please check your facts and, if the facts warrant as I suspect they will, please issue a correction.

We paid a visit to the Mt. Vernon website, which more or less takes a bite out of that argument:

Is it true that George Washington wore wooden teeth?
The answer is: No. George Washington did have false teeth, but they were not made of wood. Instead they were made of cow's teeth, human teeth, and elephant ivory set in a lead base with springs that allowed him to open and close his mouth. As you can imagine, they were very uncomfortable! They also distorted the shape of his mouth.

Washington had several different sets of dentures, only one of which is still complete -- and the complete set is here at Mount Vernon. Our set is made from human & cow teeth and elephant ivory, set in a lead base, with heavy metal springs. Because of the way they would have fit within his mouth, we do not believe that Washington wore this set when eating or talking. They were probably entirely "ornamental," for occasions like making silent ceremonial appearances or having his portrait painted.
He also owned other, more "functional" dentures, which could have been worn while eating or talking.

During the last ten years of Washington's life (1789-1799), a highly respected New York dentist, Dr. John Greenwood, made for the president at least two complete denture sets and several partial sets. In addition, in 1796 a man named James Gardette made Washington a set of dentures from hippopotamus ivory.

(Mount Vernon Ladies Association)

UPDATE: The good folks at Mount Vernon took the time to send us a picture of the choppers that belonged to the Father of Our Country.

Wasn't that nice of them?

2 Comments Have Your Say
Email Story Send to a Friend
Share This Tell Your Friends
Tweet This Tweet This
More Share It

Add a Comment


by perception5 October 18, 2006 11:53 AM EDT: When your in Rome you do as the Romans do. When you're living in the USA one needs to be able to speak English. I don't think anyone minds if you speak 15 other languages just make sure your fluent at English.; Reply to this comment


by aquilito-2009 October 17, 2006 2:27 PM EDT: I am Dominican, a 17 year old English-Spanish speaking senior in high school. I can't believe that so many people in this nation where thousands of cultures from all over the world mix into one still think that every American should only speak and learn English and "period." What kind of ignorant believe is this? The more languages we know, the more chances for success in this world we will have. Countries in Europe force their students to learn different languages besides their own, why can't we do the same thing here? Where I come from, The Dominican Republic a country that most of us call a third world nation, all students starting in second grade are required to learn English, and French. This is an example of how other countries around the world think beyond their county's borders. Americans are not all by themselves in this world. We have countries that we interact and travel to, how sad it is that we are not able to speak their language when we share with them. How sad it is that most governments around the world are able to speak English when they interact with our President. Our President is not able to speak anything else besides English, how sad is this? Are we really proud of that? Are we proud of isolating ourselves in this world because we think we are better? I%u2019m not proud of that. I am proud to say that I speak, write, and read Spanish as well as English. I wish I could do the same thing with another language.; Reply to this comment