There’s just something about bizarre medical stories that’s irresistible. Maybe it’s morbid curiosity, or maybe some people simply like being shocked and awed. Emergency rooms are low-hanging fruit when it comes to the strange and unusual, but there are plenty of wild dental emergency tales as well! Butter-up your popcorn, because these fantastical oral mishaps are worthy of the old horror show The Twilight Zone.
Drill It Yourself!
Unfortunately, you might have a pretty good idea of what’s about to happen here. Someone tried to drill their own tooth. It gets worse from there, because the drill bit became stuck. In the patient’s tooth. Which begs a morbid question – what type of drill were they using?
Curiosity aside, most would probably agree that it would’ve been better (and probably cheaper) to visit the dentist in the first place. Plus, dentists can administer anesthetic.
Superglue Cannot Fix Everything
When something breaks, what do you turn to? Either superglue or duct tape, right? They’re basically the two pillars of DIY repair. But would you put superglue on your dental crown? That’s what one patient did in an attempt to put their fallen crown back in place. Well, the crown didn’t stick, and instead the patient got glue adhered to their teeth, lips, and throat! And that’s why dentists will tell you not to use superglue for dental restorations.
Extreme Dental Neglect
Sometimes you just have to wonder how something is even possible. It’s probably not a good idea to tell kids this story, but it does highlight the importance of routine oral hygiene for both adults and children. A child who had never seen a dentist before experienced severe dental pain and gum swelling. The dentist found maggots in his gums. Let’s let this one speak for itself.
Vegetables: Not Always Healthy
What in the world could a vegetable have to do with dental emergencies? It’s not going to be what you think. A patient went to the dentist for an emergency visit, like one does when a toothache and gum pain won’t go away. After taking a look, the dentist determined the best solution was a root canal. The treatment went pretty normally – until the dentist got deeper and discovered multiple seeds in mid-sprout!
The plant? Tomato.
Why You Should Pay Attention in Science Class
Infections feed off bacteria. Bacteria enjoy environments that are moist, warm, and decaying. So hopefully if you find a hole in your upper palate, you won’t stuff it with tissue paper and change it only once a week. As one patient was not quite quick enough to find out, the dissolving tissue and accumulating bacteria will aggravate the infection and make it smell absolutely foul.
It can be oddly entertaining to read about stories like this, but dental emergencies are no joke. At the end of the day, it’s best to visit your dental professional regularly and contact your emergency dentist promptly if something feels wrong. That way, you can avoid stranger-than-fiction oral problems!
About the Author
Dr. Robert J. Sanker is a highly experienced dentist who specializes in treating complex dental issues with quality restorations. Hopefully you’re not growing a tomato plant in your gums, but if you are, Dr. Sanker and his team will ensure your comfort, provide prompt treatment, and review your replacement and repair options. To contact his office, call 301-463-4232.