George Washington's teeth not wooden
Submitted by Paper Clip on Thu, 2006-09-14 01:56
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Jed Kirschbaum / The Baltimore Sun |
Light from a red laser scans a resin reproduction of the 1789 lower denture originally carved from Hippopatamus ivory for George Washington. |
Surfing around MSNBC tonight and I come across this rather interesting article.
I remember a few years ago while I was studying for my citizenship exam and someone told me that George Washington's teeth were wooden, I was pretty surprised, and I was thinking Ewww... that wouldn't feel good.  Visualising the results of wood being left in liquid or a wet area for a long time...not a pretty picture if you have to chew on that!
Well this article uncovers the false beliefe that his dentures were made out of wood. The dentures are made from gold, ivory, lead, human and animal teeth (horse and donkey teeth were common components). Interesting combination huh?
Comments
jonathanmyron
Thu, 2006-09-14 16:24
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Huh, who knew?!
Throughout childhood we were always taught aboug GW's wooden teeth.
So... are they gonna update the history books?
Paper Clip
Fri, 2006-09-15 14:24
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That's a good point! but I
That's a good point!
But I guess that's why every year or so, they print a new edition of text books.
drkraver
Sun, 2007-07-15 15:34
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Poor 'ole Georgy