Dentistry Dentures - Did George Washington Have Wooden Teeth?

As a matter of fact, he did not. His dentures were made of hippopotamus ivory in 1764. They are now on display at Mount Vernon. Dentures have been around a long time. The earliest were made of human or animal teeth by the Etruscans in 700 BC. These deteriorated quickly but were easy to produce so they remained in use for quite a while. Too bad old George didn't have today's dentistry dentures.

Wooden dentures did exist, in Japan. The oldest useful dentures were indeed wooden. The first porcelain dentures were developed in 1770 and in 1820 dentures were made from procelain made by Wedgewood and mounted on eighteen carat gold plates, fancy. By 1860 vulcanite, hardened rubber was a used for plates and the teeth were still porcelain.

Most of these early dentures were no doubt uncomfortable and not very attractive. Keeping them in ones mouth was another challenge. They did not have Sea Bond or Fixodent in those days

Thank goodness today's dentures are leaps and bounds above the early ones. They are much more attractive and natural looking. With the help of a skilled dentist, denturist, or prosthodontist, they are also much better fitting. When I was a child my uncle was quite fond of popping his out on the end of his tongue. We, as children, thought this was hilarious. Not so funny to the adult whose dentures came out when they attempted to bite an apple.

Full dentures replace all the teeth. Partial dentures are made to replace some missing teeth. Both are removeable. The key to good fit is getting a perfect impression of the gums. It takes time and patience to achieve this. Some dental labs are connected to the dentist's office and one day dentures are possible if you are scheduled early in the day.

Upper dentures are much easier to fit and keep in place. The lower dentures are a bit harder because the tongue is involved. A lot of dentists recommend keeping some of your natural lower teeth if possible to anchor the dentures or using implants to anchor them. There are also immeidiate dentures, meant to temporarily replace a missing tooth until a permanent solution is found.

Often a patient can wear the dentures home immediately after their insertion. They take a bit of getting used to. One thing is excessive salivation. The mouth thinks they are food and salivates. Sounds funny, huh? Thank goodness it is temporary. Some people develop sore spots and these can be corrected by filing and readjusting the dentures. Most people will go back a couple of times to ensure they are properly fitted.

Take good care of your new dentures, removing and cleaning them daily with a cream designed for dentures. When they are not in your mouth, they should be in water or cleansing liquids. Keep away from children or pets. You laugh, but working in a vet's office, I have seen several x-rays that included the owner's dentures or parts of them. The dogs apparently found them irresistible.

Getting dentures can improve your smile, your confidence, your ability to speak, and your ability to eat. Eating is number one on most people's scale.

 




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Dental News:

 

Food stuck in teeth can cause problems - Windsor Star

WorlDental.org (press release)

Food stuck in teeth can cause problems
Windsor Star
Dear Dr. Mady: Whenever I eat I seem to get food stuck in between my front lower teeth, especially meat. When I am out at a restaurant it is not as easy to clean or remove it because of not being at home. Is there any consequence of just leaving the .
At Home Guide on Teeth FlossingWorlDental.org (press release)

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Censure vote on Syria to expose UN's lack of teeth - Sydney Morning Herald

Sydney Morning Herald

Censure vote on Syria to expose UN's lack of teeth
Sydney Morning Herald
NEW YORK: The United Nations was set to show more gum than teeth overnight with a vote on a non-binding resolution denouncing President Bashar al-Assad, showing the world body's inability to stem the bloodshed in Syria. Arab and Western diplomats .
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Russian Bear Shows Teeth in Global Office Market, Moscow Rents Spike 41% - World Property Channel

Russian Bear Shows Teeth in Global Office Market, Moscow Rents Spike 41%
World Property Channel
According to Cushman & Wakefield's Office Space Across the World 2012 report, Russia's capital Moscow experienced a steep increase in prime office rents in 2011, making it the fastest-growing location in Europe. A lack of construction activity caused .

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Keystone Dental Launches New Website, www.keystonedental.com
BURLINGTON, Mass., Feb. 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Keystone Dental, an oral healthcare company that delivers advanced, easy-to-use implants, biomaterials and planning software for dental professionals, announced ...


Dental Implants Market Outlook in BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) to 2017
NEW YORK, Feb. 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Reportlinker.com announces that a new market research report is available in its catalogue: Dental Implants Market Outlook in BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, ...


Website helps Soldiers maintain dental readiness | Article | The .
The new Dental Readiness Information Center website is helping Soldiers maintain their dental readiness...


Electronic cigarette explodes in man's mouth, takes out teeth - Toronto Star

Metro

Electronic cigarette explodes in man's mouth, takes out teeth
Toronto Star
A Florida man trying to kick the smoking habit was puffing on an electronic cigarette when a faulty battery caused it to explode in his mouth, taking out some of his front teeth and a chunk of his tongue and severely burning his face, fire officials .
Electric cigarette explodes, blows out teethAlexandria Town Talk
Man lost teeth after cigarette explodedSky News Australia
Smoker loses teeth after electronic cigarette blows up in his mouthMetro
DrBicuspid.com -HULIQ
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Va. Man Sentenced for Selling Sperm Whale Teeth - NBC4 Washington

Va. Man Sentenced for Selling Sperm Whale Teeth
NBC4 Washington
A Spotsylvania man has been sentenced to prison and fined more than $40000 for the illegal import and trafficking of sperm whale teeth. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says Richard Ertel of Lexington has been sentenced to one month .

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