Have you ever had to go to the dentist as the result of a dental emergency? Many dental emergencies are the result of toothaches or other forms of mouth pain, a lost tooth, or a cracked pearly white. However, some trips to the emergency dentist may uncover something unexpected. Read on to learn about five of the weirdest dental emergencies to date and how they came about.
#1: Super Glue Gone Wrong
Though you should never try to fix broken or damaged dental restorations yourself, one person decided to try it anyway. After a patient lost a dental crown, she tried to superglue it back on. This resulted in her sticking together the wrong teeth and getting superglue all over the roof of her mouth and her throat.
#2: Tomato Plant Procedure
When a patient went to the emergency dentist complaining of a toothache, their dentist told them they would need a root canal and began the procedure immediately. Unexpectantly, the dentist discovered seeds lodged deep in the patients gums with tiny plants growing out of them. After speaking to the patient about what was going on, they were able to determine that the seeds were from a tomato and had begun to sprout in their gums.
#3: Forgotten Root Canal
Though root canals are a common procedure with more than a 95% success rate, a British man encountered some unlikely side effects when he went in for one in 2005. Ever since the procedure, he hasn’t been able to retain any memories for more than 90 minutes. After years of trying to determine how this happened, doctors are still stumped.
#4: DIY Palate Repair
Some dental emergencies are easy enough for a dentist to repair, but one patient decided to try his luck at fixing it on his own. When a man visited his dentist with a severe mouth infection, they discovered that he has stuffed a hole in his palate with wads of tissue and swapped them out once a week. Unfortunately, this led to a terrible infection and a visit to the emergency dentist.
#5: Calculus Bridge Catastrophe
If a patient neglects their teeth, this can lead to buildups of plaque and tartar. Eventually, this may create a bridge between the teeth. Known as a calculus bridge, this issue requires professional intervention. One patient with this issue began to vigorously brush his teeth in an attempt to remove the calculus bridge. Sadly, he found out that the bridge was the only thing holding several of his teeth in place, which led to most of them falling out within a few minutes.
With proper oral hygiene, many of these issues could have been avoided. Make sure to visit your dentist every six months and brush and floss your teeth the recommended amount to avoid becoming one of these cautionary tales!
About the Author
Dental emergencies come up when we least expect them, but they’re nothing to fear with the help of Dean Dental Care. Though they will be here for you if a dental emergency arises, they offer exceptional preventive services to keep your smile as healthy as possible. Are you ready to schedule an appointment or have questions about Dean Dental Care’s treatment options? If so, visit their website or call their office at (770) 786-3915 today.