A dental emergency can often feel unsettling, especially when you least expect one. It can involve situations like a severe toothache, a crown falling off, and a broken or knocked-out tooth. While many of these cases are common, they’re nothing compared to some of the strangest dental emergencies you’ll ever hear about. Keep reading to learn about five of the weirdest situations that have happened to date!
#1: Denture Odor
Dentures typically need to be repaired or replaced after wearing them long enough. A patient once visited her dentist for treatment, and they immediately detected the problem. Those with dentures are supposed to remove and clean them every day before bed. The patient, however, had left hers on for months, creating a horrific odor and infecting her gums in the process.
#2: DIY Crown Placement
If you ever experience a dental crown falling out, be sure to visit your dentist to avoid other complications. For example, a woman had hers come off, but instead of calling her dentist, she decided to use superglue. Not only did this not help place her crown back on, but she ended up gluing other teeth together and covering her mouth and throat with the substance.
#3: The Calculus Bridge
Without properly cleaning your teeth for a long time, you can risk building up plaque and tartar. This can become a more serious buildup called a calculus bridge, which connects your teeth and gums. One patient attempted to brush their smile aggressively to remove this buildup. Unfortunately, due to years of neglect, their calculus bridge was the only thing keeping their teeth in their mouth. Once it came off, so did their pearly whites.
#4: Planting Seeds
Toothaches are one of the most common dental issues people experience. Although this can be a sign of an infection, it can also indicate something stranger. There was a patient who was dealing with a throbbing ache and pain in their gums. After visiting the dental office, his dentist decided to perform a root canal. The doctor expected to find plaque and tartar during the treatment, but instead found a sprouting plant! At some point, a tomato seed got stuck in the patient’s smile and started to grow.
#5: My Dog Ate My Crown
A patient had her crown fall out and correctly informed her dentist. However, she only told them the whole story after replacing her restoration. She had placed her crown on a counter after it came out, but it somehow fell off and her dog swallowed it. She then waited for it to pass through her pup’s stool, cleaned it off, and then brought it to her appointment.
When in doubt, contact your dentist! If you’re feeling discomfort or need replacements for dental restorations, they’ll be able to safely and effectively treat your situation to get you back on track with good oral health.
About the Author
Dr. Matthew Nawrocki earned his dental doctorate from the University of Florida College of Dentistry. He’s also a proud member of several groups such as the American and Florida Dental Associations, and the American College of Prosthodontics. He is proud to provide a wide variety of high-quality treatments, including restorative and emergency dentistry to help preserve your best smile. If you’d like to schedule an appointment, visit his website or call 904-323-0928.