#21: George Washington Didn’t Have Wooden Teeth

The fact that George Washington had wooden teeth is something we all learn in kindergarten. It’s an easy way to remember the President without getting into politics or explaining the cherry tree phenomenon. The truth is much more gruesome, though. That “probably” they tacked on at the end below is the most likely answer.

He lost his first tooth in his mid-20s and only had one tooth left by the time he became President at the age of 57. What you see in the photo is not a replica of his teeth or even an accurate representation. His teeth were made of lead, brass, ivory, gold, and human teeth. There are records of him purchasing nine teeth from his slaves, and some assessments even claim a few of his own teeth were in the mix.