How George Washington's Teeth Turned the Tide of the Revolutionary War
The heroic Delaware crossing, the bitter winter at Valley Forge – we have heard countless amazing feats of our founding forefather, George Washington. The man, the myth. The legendary giant who led the American colonies to beat the world’s most powerful empire. And while we always focus on facts about tactics and French allies, the dental records tell an off-beat, rather humorous story. Washington had legendary dental woes as well! By the time the war heated up, our future first president was down to roughly one lonely natural tooth, #21. British officers and observers often described George Washington as reserved, stoic, formal, and difficult to read, which is true. But it very well may have been a man battling to keep his dentures in: a strained mouth, closed lips, no smiling.
Historical Records
At age 24, there is a record of Washington paying 5 shillings to a “Doctor Watson” who pulled one of his teeth. He wrote diary entries of his aching teeth and problems with his dentures and recorded several payments for toothbrushes, denture files, and toothache medications in his communications manuscripts. So it isn’t surprising that records exist of him receiving dental treatment during the American Revolutionary War.
In 1781, a French dentist named Jean-Pierre Le Mayeur escaped British-occupied New York City and crossed into the American lines. Although he had previously treated British officers, Le Mayeur reportedly became disillusioned with them after hearing derogatory remarks about the Franco-American alliance. George Washington soon sought out the respected French dentist for treatment, and the two later became friendly acquaintances.
That same year in 1781, Washington learned that some of his mail – including a personal note requesting some dental cleaning tools – had been intercepted by the British. Although he was mortified that this information had leaked, he was able to use this to deceive the British. In a letter to his dentist, writing that he “had little prospect of being in Philadelphia soon” and thus had requested for his dental supplies to be sent to New York instead. When the British commander Sir Henry Clinton saw this message, he assumed Washington would not move his American and French forces that were surrounding New York down to Yorktown because he thought he would still remain in New York for his dental package to arrive. However, Washington and the French Commander, Comte de Rochambeau, together planned to attack British General Charles Cornwallis at Yorktown. Britain’s decision to not reinforce troops at Yorktown ultimately led to the surrender and siege of Lord Cornwallis at the infamous 1781 Battle of Yorktown.
The Legacy of Dental Fortitude
Washington eventually lost that last natural tooth in 1789. He didn’t let it stop him. He became president with a mouth held together by ingenuity, pain, and sheer colonial stubbornness. The Father of Our Country was also the Patron Saint of “Deal With It.” And while Washington’s woes worked in our favor and turned the tide of the American Revolution, I would kindly like to remind the reader that WE ARE NOT the first President, nor are we fighting the biggest super-power.
So brush twice daily. Floss like the British are coming. See us before your teeth decide to stage their own rebellion. Because if a man with lead-and-ivory dentures could found a country, you can probably handle that crown you’ve been putting off.
Keep smiling (with your own natural teeth, preferably).
