Dentists are always prepared to help their patients deal with a painful dental emergency. Whether you suffer from a broken tooth, a throbbing toothache, or even if a tooth gets knocked out altogether, your local dental team is ready to run to your aid. But sometimes, dentists encounter the unexpected when they begin providing treatment. Let’s talk about some of the strangest situations that dentists have dealt with.
Plants Growing in the Oral Cavity
A patient arrived at the dentist’s office complaining of a toothache. After the dentist ordered root canal therapy, the team got to work on cleaning the tooth and gums — and they discovered seeds lodged deep in the gums. Not only that, but the seeds were also sprouting! They were tomato seeds that were attempting to grow in the patient’s mouth.
Teeth Held in Place by Calculus
This one illustrates the importance of keeping up with your oral hygiene. A patient developed calculus bridges. Essentially, this means that so much tartar (hardened plaque) accumulated on the teeth that it formed a bridge between the teeth and gums. The patient attempted to remove the tartar with furious brushing, but their efforts resulted in the teeth actually falling out. As it turned out, the tartar was the only thing holding the teeth in place.
Hole in the Palate
A patient discovered a hole in his palate (the roof of his mouth). He attempted self-treatment by shoving tissues into the hole. He changed the tissues weekly, but his efforts at DIY care backfired. The tissues trapped bacteria in the hole and led to one of the worst oral infections in recorded medical history.
Amnesia After Root Canal
Have you ever seen the movie 50 First Dates? Surprisingly, the plot isn’t as farfetched as it might sound. One patient lost his ability to store new memories after he underwent root canal therapy. Every day, he wakes up believing it is the day of his dental appointment. Numerous medical professionals have tried to figure out exactly what happened, but so far, they cannot pinpoint what caused the problem.
Loose Dental Drill
A patient ended up with part of a dental drill lodged in her lung after the drill came loose during a procedure. She had to undergo surgery to get the piece removed. Don’t let incidents like this scare you — the chances of something similar happening to you are next to nothing. Your dentist takes their responsibility to look after your oral and overall health very seriously.
Strange dental emergencies might be entertaining to read about — but hopefully, any oral health problems you encounter will be pretty ordinary. Your dentist is ready to help you and your smile thrive!
Meet the Practice
Shinkawa Dental is a family-run dental practice. Our three doctors have more than four decades of combined experience. They are proud to provide emergency service — for both ordinary and extraordinary dental problems. If you would like to learn more about them and how they may be able to serve you, contact us at 559-226-5656.