George Washington's dentures were made of hippopotamus ivory, gold, and human teeth instead of wood.

George Washington owned several sets of dentures during his life. One set made in 1789 used a base carved from hippopotamus ivory. The dentist, John Greenwood, drilled holes into the ivory to attach real human teeth. These teeth were often bought from poor people or enslaved workers, which was a common practice in the 1700s.The dentures did not look like wood, but they stained easily. Washington liked to drink Port wine, which turned the porous ivory dark and grainy. This dark color likely started the myth that his teeth were made of wood. The dentures were also very heavy and uncomfortable to wear.Steel springs connected the top and bottom plates to push them against the user's gums. Washington had to use his jaw muscles constantly to keep his mouth closed. This struggle changed his face shape and gave him the tight-lipped expression seen in his portraits. At the time, dental technology was limited to these natural materials and simple metals.