Did George Washington Get His Teeth From Slaves
There has been a long-standing myth that George Washington, the first president of the United States, had wooden teeth. However, this is not true. Washington did have dental problems and wore dentures, but they were not made of wood. In fact, they were made of a combination of materials, including human teeth, animal teeth, and ivory.
Where Did the Myth Come From?
The myth of George Washington's wooden teeth likely originated from his public appearances. Washington had dental problems and frequently had to wear dentures. However, his dentures were ill-fitting and caused him discomfort. As a result, he often kept his lips closed, giving the appearance that he had wooden teeth.
Additionally, Washington's dentist, John Greenwood, experimented with different materials to create more comfortable dentures for his patient. Greenwood tried using materials such as hippopotamus ivory and even attempted to use teeth from soldiers who had died in battle. However, the use of human teeth was not uncommon at the time and was not considered unethical.
Did George Washington Get His Teeth From Slaves?
There is no evidence to support the claim that George Washington's dentures were made from the teeth of slaves. While it is true that Washington owned slaves, it is unlikely that he would have used their teeth for his dentures.
There are a few reasons why this claim is unlikely. First, dental hygiene was not a priority during the time period in which Washington lived. As a result, it is unlikely that any of his slaves had teeth that were suitable for use in dentures. Additionally, the cost of making dentures was high, and it is unlikely that Washington would have gone to the trouble of procuring teeth from his slaves when other materials were available.
What Were George Washington's Dentures Made Of?
As mentioned earlier, George Washington's dentures were made of a combination of materials. The base of the dentures was likely made of lead or tin, and the teeth themselves were made of a variety of materials. Some of the teeth were animal teeth, such as those from horses or cows. Others were human teeth, which were likely purchased from dentists or even from individuals who were willing to sell their teeth.
The use of human teeth in dentures was not uncommon during this time period. Many people sold their teeth to dentists or even to denture makers in order to make some extra money. Additionally, some people who died in battle or from other causes had their teeth removed and sold to dentists or denture makers.
In Conclusion
While George Washington did not have wooden teeth, he did have dental problems and wore dentures. However, there is no evidence to support the claim that his dentures were made from the teeth of slaves. Instead, his dentures were made of a combination of materials, including human teeth, animal teeth, and ivory. The myth of George Washington's wooden teeth likely originated from his public appearances, where he often kept his lips closed due to discomfort caused by his ill-fitting dentures.