Most people know that brushing and flossing, along with visiting your dentist twice a year, are great ways to protect your smile. One of the main reasons to do this is to avoid a dental emergency. Many cases can seem unsettling, especially if it’s when you least expect it, but some might be more surprising than you think. Read on to learn five of the strangest dental emergencies to date!
#1: The Calculus Bridge
A lack of proper dental hygiene can typically allow plaque and tartar to build up. The longer this condition is left untreated, the more it’ll connect to your teeth and gums, creating a calculus bridge. A patient once chose to brush aggressively to scrub away the bridge they had, but their pearly whites began to fall out. Due to years of neglect, the calculus buildup was the only thing holding their teeth in place.
#2: DIY Dental Fix
If you ever have a crown fall out, then the best thing to do is to see your dentist. You’ll want to avoid trying any DIY remedies, as some can be harmful to you and your teeth. A woman experienced this situation, but she decided to use superglue to fix her issue. Not only did this not work for her, but she ended up spreading the glue throughout her mouth and throat.
#3: Plant Growth
There was a patient who was struggling with a throbbing ache in his gums. After his dentist examined his mouth, they decided to perform a root canal to address the problem. Instead of finding tartar and plaque during the treatment like expected, the dentist sees a sprouting plant. Somehow a tomato seed had gotten stuck and began to grow!
#4: Critters in the Gums
Some people may not think children need to see their dentist early on. However, there was a boy who had never had a dental visit and was experiencing severe discomfort and swollenness in his gums. They scheduled an appointment at the dental office, where their dentist found maggots in his mouth.
#5: My Dog Swallowed My Crown
A woman once had her crown fall out. She placed it on the counter for safety, but somehow it fell off and her dog swallowed it. She decided to wait until it passed, picked it from her pup’s stool, cleaned it, and then brought it with her to the dentist to reuse it. While recycling may seem like a good idea, getting a crown replacement would have been best.
With these strange examples of dental emergencies, you can feel more confident in the benefits of practicing proper dental hygiene. Visit your dentist if you notice any abnormal sensations in your teeth, and they’ll be more than happy to treat you as soon as possible!
About the Author
Dr. Cody Calderwood earned his dental degree from the University of Maryland and has been delivering outstanding care for over a decade. He’s also a proud member of several groups like the Academy of General Dentistry, and the American and Utah Dental Associations. He provides multiple modern treatments, including emergency dentistry to help preserve your dental health. If you need to schedule an appointment, visit his website or call 435-649-4343.