Did you know George Washington’s famous dentures weren’t made of wood? That’s right! His iconic smile was crafted from a mix of ivory, human teeth, and even animal bone.

In fact, some of those human teeth were purchased from his own enslaved workers. So where did the myth about wooden teeth come from? It likely came from the discoloration and grainy appearance of his dentures over time, which made them look like aged wood.

Washington’s dental problems were the result of poor diet, illness, and lack of dental care, which was common in his era. By the time he took office, he only had one natural tooth left in his mouth.

In 1849, one of Washington sets of dentures was auctioned off and bought by a London dentist, cementing their place in dental lore. The American Dental Association was founded in 1859 in order to create standards and dental education and hygiene.

Ever notice the ADA seal on your toothpaste? That means it passes the strict quality requirements of the American Dental Association.

In 1959, the post office issued this stamp to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the American Dental Association. Ironically, it was issued in a green color, which doesn’t represent clean teeth very well.