Queen Elizabeth I is an iconic monarch, but behind the portraits that cultivated an image of ageless vitality, she experienced notable physical ailments. One of the most discussed aspects of her health was the condition of her teeth. This subject offers a glimpse into her personal habits and the broader context of Tudor life.
The Appearance of the Royal Teeth
During the later years of Queen Elizabeth I’s reign, the condition of her teeth became a noticeable feature to those who saw her in person. These observations from foreign visitors contrast with the youthful image she projected in official portraits. One of the most cited descriptions comes from Andre Hurault de Maisse, a French ambassador who had an audience with the 64-year-old monarch in 1597.
He noted that her teeth were “very yellow and unequal,” suggesting discoloration and irregularity from decay and tooth loss. A year later, in 1598, a German traveler named Paul Hentzner provided an even more direct account after seeing the queen at Greenwich Palace. He described her teeth as simply “black,” noting this was “a fault the English seem to suffer from because of their great use of sugar.”
The Role of Sugar and Tudor Diet
The primary cause of Queen Elizabeth I’s dental problems was her diet, specifically her immense consumption of sugar. In the 16th century, sugar was an expensive luxury and a status symbol, so its presence at the royal court was a display of wealth. Elizabeth was known to have a sweet tooth and her diet was filled with sugary foods like marchpane, a confection of almonds and sugar paste.
This high-sugar diet created the perfect environment for tooth decay, as the science behind sugar’s effect on enamel was not yet understood. The problem was worsened by her dental hygiene, as she reportedly cleaned her teeth with honey or even a sugar paste, which only accelerated decay.
Impact on Her Reign and Image
The decay of Queen Elizabeth I’s teeth impacted her public image and personal comfort. As a monarch who relied on her powerful presence and speech, the pain and loss of teeth presented challenges. It is believed her dental issues affected her speech, making it more difficult for her to be understood.
To manage her appearance, Elizabeth made efforts to conceal the state of her teeth. She was known to be conscious of the problem, often keeping her mouth closed or speaking less in public, and there are accounts suggesting she would stuff her cheeks with cotton to prevent a sunken-faced look.
Tudor Era Dental Care
Dental care during the Tudor era was rudimentary. For most people, hygiene consisted of rubbing their teeth with a cloth, sometimes with abrasive powders like brick dust or charcoal. With no solutions for decay, the only remedy for a painful tooth was extraction.
This procedure was performed by barber-surgeons or “tooth-drawers” with little medical knowledge, using pliers and no anesthetic. Queen Elizabeth’s fear of such treatments was well-documented; to prove an extraction was bearable, she reportedly had one of her bishops undergo the procedure in front of her.