Many people have been taught that George Washington had wooden teeth. When he took office he had one natural tooth with dentures made from a wide variety of materials such as a walrus tusk, cow’s tooth, springs and metal. The false teeth tended to make his mouth look distorted. Washington would probably not have been a big advocate of hygienic practices. He did not bathe very often; many people of that day believed that bathing was unhealthy.

Washington’s horse’s teeth were brushed daily. Perhaps he was a bit fond of his horse after having had two horses shot out from under him in 1755 when he was an aide to General Edward Braddock. George Washington also had dogs called Sweetlips, Madame Moose and True Love.

Although Washington did have false teeth, he did not wear a wig like many of that time. He did powder his hair and tied it back in a queue, or ponytail.