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George Washington suffered from poor oral health most of his life. His dental problems began in his early twenties, when he was elected at the age of fifty-seven in 1789 he only had one real tooth remaining. The reasons were general bad health, small pox, the use of abrasive dentifrices and the poor level of dentistry during his time. It is however untrue that he had wooden teeth.
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DevinGeorge Washington did not have wooden teeth. His dental problems began in his early twenties, when he was elected at the age of fifty-seven in 1789 he only had one real tooth remaining1. The dentures he wore during the inauguration were made by Dr. John Greenwood known has the "Father of Modern Dentistry, carved from hippopotamus ivory and gold. One of these sets was donated to the University of Maryland Dental School in Baltimore, who in turn donated the upper denture to the Smithsonian in 1976. The dentures were stolen at a storage facility and never recovered; the bottom denture is housed at the George Washington Gallery inside The Dr. Samuel D. Harris National Museum of Dentistry. The "Greenwood Dentures" are the most famous created for the President; four of these remain to this day. Three other sets are also all lower dentures located at the New York Academy of Medicine, at the Mt. Vernon Visitors Center and a small segment on display at the Royal London Hospital and Archives and Museum. This where is it gets tricky, many different people made or adjusted dentures for Washington. Dr, Greenwood was just the most famous. Here is a direct quote from the fine folks at Mt. Vernon
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.
The story of wooden teeth is interesting but alas according to Steve Swank the curator of the National Museum of Dentistry no proof of wooden teeth ever being made in America exists. This is just one of the fanciful myths about the first President of the United States. Source: Kentonville.com
It was not uncommon for people to loose teeth in that time. John Adams claimed that he lost his teeth cracking open Brazil nuts; however, it's more likely that the medicine of the time had more effect. However Washington had problems with his teeth, and lost his first one at the age of 22, and only had 1 real one left by the time he became president (when he was about 57).
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How did George Washington's dad die?
From attack in 1743, at the age of 49. George Washington had to be raised by his older brother, Lawrence.
What was George Washington's job at the age of 17?
He was a surveyor.
What kind of teeth did George Washington have?
George Washington, the first US President, did not have wooden teeth, although he had lost all but one of his own teeth by the age of 57 when he became President. Washington had several pairs of dentures, none wooden. The pair he wore when he was inaugurated were made from carved hippopotamus ivory and gold. They were made by Dr. John Greenwood, known as the "Father of Modern Dentistry". The Smithsonian was donated a set of Washington's upper dentures in 1976, but they were stolen. Three sets of lower dentures are in various museums, including the Smithsonian's Dr. Samuel D. Harris National Museum of Dentistry, the New York Academy of Medicine, and the Mt. Vernon Visitors Center. George Washington's teeth were not made of wood - they were made of ivory, various metals, and actual human teeth. He got various pairs, the first in 1789, the next in 1791, the next in 1796, one in 1797, and his last in 1798.
What was George Washington's age at death?
He was 67 years old.
When did George whashington die?
General and first president of the United States of America George Washington died on December 14, 1799(shortly after 10 pm), at Mount Vernon, Virginia, at the age of 67.George Washington died in 1799.
