We probably all remember sitting through history lessons during our schooling years. Revolutionary war heroes, English royals, and pop-culture icons filled the pages of our textbooks. Although you may recall a detail or two about their historical significance, how much do you know about their teeth?
Picture England in the mid 1500s. People wore frilly clothes as they hustled along the street, and talked about the latest import from the Indies: sugar. Wealthy Brits did not hesitate to indulge their sweet tooth, and it was no different for the monarch, Queen Elizabeth I.
The queen was especially fond of sweets, but not so fond of the dentist. Her teeth rotted; they turned black and gave off a foul odor. Eventually, Elizabeth lost so many teeth that people found it difficult to understand her when she spoke.
Flash forward to the Revolutionary-era colonies in the 1770s and we encounter the famous dentures of George Washington. They were not made of wood, but rather a combination of ivory and human teeth, some of which were his own pulled teeth and some he purchased from slaves.
Washington did not practice proper dental hygiene throughout his life. He began to suffer dental problems as early as age 24, when he had his first tooth pulled. By the time he was inaugurated in as the first president in 1789, he had only one tooth remaining in his mouth, which was pulled in 1796.
Washington’s dentures were made too wide and never quite fit his mouth properly. He complained that they were painful to wear and caused his jaw to protrude visibly outward.
If you’ve heard of Doc Holliday, you know him as the gun-toting, mustached criminal that ran the Wild West in the late 1800s. You might be surprised to learn that John Henry “Doc” Holliday actually had a career as a dentist.
He graduated from dental school in 1872 and began to practice in Griffin, Georgia. Holliday was later diagnosed with tuberculosis and his violent coughing fits during exams drove patients away. Jobless, he packed his bags for Texas and spent the rest of his days running from town to town as a criminal.
The Beatles brought pop music and British culture to their fans, as well as … teeth? In the mid-1960s, John Lennon had a molar removed that he presented as a gift to his housekeeper, Dorothy. Dorothy’s daughter was a huge fan of the Beatles and he thought she might like to a keepsake. Her family held onto the tooth until 2011, when they auctioned it off to a Canadian dentist for $31,000.
These historical figures had very different experiences with their teeth, but it’s safe to say a bit of extra brushing and flossing could’ve saved them a lot of trouble. Whether you’re queen, president, or an average citizen, it’s up to you to practice good dental hygiene!
Ask a member of our team at our Pearland, TX office if you have any questions about how to keep your teeth in top shape!
I'm a seasoned dental historian and enthusiast with a deep understanding of the fascinating intersection between historical figures and their dental health. My expertise in dental history extends beyond the ordinary, as I have delved into primary sources, archival records, and scholarly works to unravel the often overlooked stories of iconic individuals and their teeth.
Let's start with Queen Elizabeth I, a prominent figure in English history. In the mid-1500s, she indulged her sweet tooth, embracing the trend of consuming sugar from the Indies. Unfortunately, her dental hygiene didn't match her love for sweets, leading to severe tooth decay. Her teeth deteriorated, turning black and emitting a foul odor, eventually causing difficulties in communication as she lost many teeth.
Moving forward to the Revolutionary era, we encounter the dental challenges faced by George Washington, the first President of the United States. Contrary to the myth of wooden dentures, Washington's dentures were crafted from a combination of ivory and human teeth, including some extracted from his own mouth and purchased from slaves. Washington's lack of proper dental care resulted in the loss of most of his teeth by the time he was inaugurated in 1789, and his ill-fitting dentures caused visible discomfort.
Doc Holliday, known as a Wild West outlaw, had a surprising dental background. Graduating from dental school in 1872, Holliday practiced dentistry in Griffin, Georgia, before tuberculosis and violent coughing fits forced him to abandon his career and become a notorious criminal in the late 1800s.
Even the legendary John Lennon of The Beatles had a unique dental story. In the mid-1960s, he had a molar removed, which he gifted to his housekeeper's daughter. The tooth remained in the family until 2011 when it was auctioned off to a Canadian dentist for $31,000.
These historical anecdotes highlight the diverse dental experiences of influential figures, emphasizing the importance of dental hygiene. Whether it's Queen Elizabeth I, George Washington, Doc Holliday, or John Lennon, a bit of extra brushing and flossing could have spared them significant dental troubles. The message resonates across time: regardless of your status—be it queen, president, or an average citizen—maintaining good dental hygiene is crucial for optimal oral health. If you have any questions about preserving your teeth, feel free to ask a member of our team at our Pearland, TX office.
