No one ever expects a dental emergency to happen to them, but 1 in 6 Americans has one annually. While many involve toothaches, chips, or knocked-out teeth, dentists have seen everything when it comes to oral health issues, even situations that are difficult to believe. Here are 6 of the strangest dental emergencies reported.
1. Growing Vegetables
Vegetables are essential for a healthy mouth and body. After your body has digested them, you wouldn’t expect your meal to come back to haunt your smile, but this wasn’t the case for a man with an agonizing toothache. His dentist determined that a root canal was needed. As he began the procedure, he found plaque and tartar weren’t the biggest concerns. Instead, the man had a tomato plant sprouting in his mouth from a seed that had been stuck in his gums.
2. Maggots
Just the thought of maggots may make your skin crawl, but could you imagine having them in your mouth? A young boy was brought to his dentist after having severe pain and swollen gums. The dentist discovered maggots in the child’s mouth.
3. Superglue Disasters
Superglue is handy to have for minor repairs around the home; however, it shouldn’t be used to repair a lost restoration. Not only can it contain toxic chemicals and cause allergic reactions, but there are other dangers which one woman learned the hard way. While trying to superglue a crown on her tooth, she got glue on her mouth and throat.
4. Calculus Bridge
Oral hygiene is important to prevent plaque and tartar buildup. Without the right oral hygiene habits at home and regular dental care, tartar accumulations can be significant. Eventually, it can cover the teeth and gums, creating a calculus bridge. Although removing tartar is a simple process, patients with a calculus bright can experience tooth loss because the buildup is the only thing holding their teeth in place.
5. DIY Dental Care
Everyone enjoys saving money, which is possible thanks to countless online DIY tutorials. While this is handy when performing a home repair, it’s better to leave dental work to professionals. A man walked into his dental office with a drill bit hanging out of his tooth. Although the exact reason why isn’t known, he drilled his tooth instead of contacting his dentist.
6. Stinky Dentures
Dentures are meant to be removed nightly, but an elderly patient didn’t follow this advice. She had gone to her dentist to have her denture repaired, but that was the least of her problems. Her dentist was alerted by an awful odor that something wasn’t right. The woman hadn’t removed her dentures in months, creating a serious infection.
If you have a dental emergency, don’t be embarrassed. Your dentist has seen it all and will handle your situation with the utmost integrity.
About Dr. Brandon Hunt
Dr. Hunt earned his dental degree from the University of Louisville School of Dentistry and regularly continues his education in advanced services to treat complex oral health issues. With over 30 years of experience, he has the qualifications you can trust. Contact our office today to request an appointment.
