When you think of a dental emergency, you probably picture a painful toothache, a chipped tooth, or perhaps a tooth knocked out during an accident. These are certainly common reasons to seek urgent dental care. But every now and then, dentists encounter something much stranger.
From unusual objects becoming lodged in the mouth to unfortunate attempts at DIY dental care, some dental emergencies are downright bizarre. While these stories may make you cringe (or laugh nervously), they also offer an important reminder about taking care of your teeth and knowing when to call a dental professional.
When Your Mouth Becomes a Garden
Imagine going to the dentist because of a persistent toothache and discovering that you have a tiny plant growing in your mouth. Believe it or not, one reported case involved a tomato seed becoming lodged near a tooth and actually beginning to sprout.
During treatment, the dentist discovered the unexpected greenery along with the source of the problem. It’s certainly one way to make a dental appointment memorable!
Of course, this isn’t something most patients will ever experience. Still, it demonstrates how seemingly small particles can become trapped in areas of the mouth and potentially contribute to irritation or infection.
Please Don’t Use Superglue
A loose crown or dental restoration can be frustrating, especially when it happens at an inconvenient time. One patient decided to solve the problem at home using superglue. Unfortunately, the crown didn’t end up where it was supposed to, and the adhesive spread throughout the person’s mouth.
Superglue is not designed for dental use and can create additional problems when it comes into contact with teeth, gums, or other tissues. If a crown or other restoration comes loose, contacting your dentist is a much safer approach than reaching for the glue drawer.
When Dental Work Becomes an Unexpected Medical Emergency
Some dental emergencies can become more serious when an object is accidentally swallowed or inhaled. One reported case involved a dental drill component that ended up in a patient’s lung, requiring medical intervention to remove it.
Fortunately, situations like this are extremely unusual. They do, however, illustrate why dental procedures should always be performed by qualified professionals in an appropriate clinical setting.
The Real Lesson Behind the Weird Stories
As entertaining as these stories may be, the takeaway isn’t that you should be afraid of your next dental appointment. Quite the opposite!
Many unusual dental emergencies can be connected to problems that should be handled professionally, including untreated dental disease, neglected oral hygiene, accidents, or attempts to fix dental problems at home. Regular dental visits can help identify developing problems before they turn into emergencies.
And if you do experience a dental emergency, don’t try to improvise a solution with household tools or adhesives. Call your dentist instead.
What Should You Do During a Dental Emergency?
If you experience severe dental pain, a knocked-out tooth, significant swelling, uncontrolled bleeding, or another urgent dental problem, contact a dental professional as soon as possible. Even when the situation seems unusual or embarrassing, dentists have seen plenty of unexpected problems.
The sooner you receive appropriate care, the better your chances of preventing the problem from becoming more complicated.
So, here’s to appreciating that you don’t have a tomato plant growing in your mouth—and to leaving the dental DIY projects to the professionals!
About the Practice
Dental Designs of Maryland provides emergency dental care for patients experiencing urgent oral health concerns. The practice helps patients address unexpected dental problems and provides professional care when issues such as dental pain, injuries, or other emergencies require prompt attention.
Call us at (443) 936-2899 or schedule your appointment online.