U.S. PRESIDENTS AND THEIR TOOTHY SECRETS 5 FUN DENTAL FACTS YOU’D NEVER GUESS ABOUT OUR LEADERS The 2020 presidential election is just around the corner. Every election is a landmark occasion in American history, and this one is no different. To commemorate the political face-off, we thought it would be fun to take a look at presidents past — specifically, at their teeth! Our office got a kick out of these dental facts about our commanders in chief, which come courtesy of the Tufts University Dental Alumni Association. Check them out, and next time you stop by the office, let us know if any of them surprised you!
1. President George Washington only had one tooth of his own left when he was inaugurated. He wore dentures through his whole presidency, and they were made of some crazy stuff! The materials included human teeth (from other people, of course), hippopotamus ivory, brass screws, and lead wire.
2. While he was fighting in the Civil War, President Ulysses Grant carried his toothbrush into battle! Unfortunately, despite this diligence he eventually died of throat cancer. 3. In 1954, President Dwight Eisenhower had to be rushed to the dentist after he lost a crown biting into a piece of chicken. The secret trip caused all kinds of rumors, including that he’d died of a heart attack and/or was conducting a meeting with aliens.
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4. President Harry Truman had two dead, discolored teeth.
INGREDIENTS
According to one faculty member from Tufts, this imperfect smile signaled that Truman was “a man of the people.”
• 1 tbsp olive oil • 2 shallots, diced • 3 cloves garlic, minced • 2 1/4 cups pumpkin purée (homemade or canned) • 2 cups vegetable broth
• 1 cup canned light coconut milk • 2 tbsp honey
• 1/4 tsp sea salt • 1/4 tsp pepper • 1/4 tsp cinnamon • 1/4 tsp nutmeg
5. Though many never guessed it, President Grover Cleveland had a prosthetic jaw. He was diagnosed with oral cancer in 1893, and had five teeth and part of his jaw removed to combat it. The secret surgery happened on a yacht in the middle of Long Island Sound while the president was supposedly “on a fishing trip.”
DIRECTIONS
1. In a large saucepan over medium heat, sauté olive oil, shallots, and garlic for 2–3 minutes.
2. Add the remaining ingredients and bring to a simmer.
3. Transfer the soup to a blender and purée. Pour the blended soup back into the pan. 4. Cook over medium-low heat for 5–10 minutes. Taste and add additional seasoning as desired, then serve!
We can’t wait to see what new facts about presidential dentistry come out in the next few years. We’ll keep you posted if we learn anything interesting!
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