Didnt Washington have wooden dentures, Id have kept me mouth shut too!
Iz interesting observation - look at all the ads on TV for implants - we are a society so concerned with outward appearances.
Of course rotten teeth are a health hazard too, so theres that.
It was said at the time that the JFK-Nixon TV debate changed politics forever. Nixon had 5 o’clock shadow and was sweating and Kennedy looked like a confident dashing stud.
I think it was the first televised presidential debate ever.
And yeah, Washington was known for not smiling due to the teeth thing. Look at any old photos, smiling was rare, people were told to freeze so as not to blur the image. Portraits of course are different but the big smile thing seems to be modern. Mona Lisa, anyone? Barely smiling and it was a big deal.