When George Washington was inaugurated in 1789, he only had one of his original teeth left.

Washington had problems with his teeth for most of his life, even writing in his diary about having a tooth pulled at age 24.

Even with several different dentures, or false teeth, Washington was in constant pain.

Dentures are artificial teeth and gums that can be removed or permanently attached.

Martha Washington also wore dentures and constantly wrote to her children to encourage them to practice good dental hygiene.

Washington often repaired his dentures himself.

The size of the dentures caused Washington’s face
and smile to change shape over time.