George Washington suffered from poor dental health and spent his life in frequent pain, employing a variety of tooth cleaners, dental medicines, and dentures. Dr. John Baker fabricated a partial denture with ivory that was wired to Washington’s remaining real teeth. When Washington was inaugurated President in 1789, only one real tooth remained in his mouth.

Dr. John Greenwood fashioned a set of dentures of hippopotamus ivory and gold wire springs and brass screws holding human teeth. Greenwood left a hole to accommodate Washington’s single tooth. When Washington finally lost this tooth as well, he gave it to Greenwood who saved this cherished item in a special case.

(The Dr. Samuel D. Harris National Museum of Dentistry, Baltimore, Maryland, http://www.dental.umaryland.edu/museum/)