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What were George Washington's teeth made of? (It's not wood ...
The claim that George Washington had wooden teeth is a myth. While Washington did suffer from severe dental problems and required dentures, they were not made of wood. His dentures were constructed using a variety of materials, including hippopotamus ivory, human teeth, metal, and gold.
Elaboration:
The Myth:
The widespread belief that Washington had wooden teeth is a misconception.
Material of Dentures:
Washington's dentures were made from various materials, including ivory (hippopotamus, elephant, or walrus), human and animal teeth (cow, horse), and metals (lead, brass, silver, and gold).
Staining:
The color of his dentures, particularly after staining from tobacco or wine, might have contributed to the myth.
Dental Issues:
Washington experienced significant dental problems throughout his life, leading to multiple sets of dentures.
Historical Context:
Dentures were not commonly made of wood in Washington's era, and wood was not used in his dentures.
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