Washington's dentures shine at dental museum

One of the star attractions at Baltimore's National Museum of Dentistry features President George Washington's dentures, which were made of hippopotamus ivory.

The U.S.'s first president had only one tooth left when he was inaugurated in 1789, museum spokeswoman Amy Pelsinsky explained.

President Washington's dentures. All images courtesy of the National Museum of Dentistry.

President Washington's dentures. All images courtesy of the National Museum of Dentistry.

"He had malaria and smallpox, and the medicine used to treat the diseases was very harsh and it made his teeth fall out," she told DrBicuspid.com.

Washington purchased tooth powder and toothbrushes that he used to brush his teeth, Pelsinsky said.

He had several sets of dentures made by his favorite dentist, Dr. John Greenwood of Philadelphia. It's a popular myth that Washington's dentures were made of wood, and those who come to the museum are surprised to find otherwise, Pelsinsky said.

The museum's exhibits include Queen Victoria's personal dental instruments and a narwhal, an Arctic whale with a 6-ft tooth growing out of its head. A display of toothbrushes throughout the ages shows Taub's patented toothbrush, which had a convex, semicircular design made to conform to the tongue side of the teeth. This early 20th-century design was made out of celluloid.

Siwak sticks, or "chew sticks," like those on the far left and far right have been used since Babylonian times, particularly among Muslim and African cultures.

Siwak sticks, or "chew sticks," like those on the far left and far right have been used since Babylonian times, particularly among Muslim and African cultures.

Also shown is a rubber-tipped combination gum stimulator and toothbrush with an aluminum handle, pre-1945, and the Strockway rotary toothbrush, which was designed with long and short bristle tufts to enable them to go over and in between the teeth as the toothbrush was rolled along the teeth (circa 1950s). Others include Dr. Mayland's toothbrush, which had rubber points instead of bristles (circa 1920s), and the Rotor toothbrush, which was designed to clean the teeth vertically (circa 1930s).

The museum is part of the University of Maryland Dental School, the first dental college in the world, which opened in 1840.

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