When you think of dental emergencies, you might think of things like painful tooth infections or cavities. But while your dentist does deal with plenty of these kinds of problems, sometimes there are cases that break the norm. Here are a few real-life dental emergencies from around the globe that prove that truth really can be stranger than fiction!
Stuck on You
The following story is the perfect example of why when it comes to dental repairs, you should leave treatment to the pros (your dentist!).
It all started when a woman lost her dental crown. Instead of waiting for her dentist or using a dental cement kit (still not recommended, but at least designed for this type of problem) she decided to reattach it herself with super glue! Unfortunately, however, it didn’t go quite as planned and not only did the patient glue the wrong teeth, but she also got glue everywhere including in her mouth and down her throat.
If you lose a crown, call your dentist as soon as possible to be seen, but wait for their instructions about how to care for your tooth until your appointment instead of doing something dangerous like this woman did.
This is Just a Drill
A lot of problems can occur when you’re impatient, or when you try to do complicated dental procedures on your own. In this case, a patient didn’t want to wait for his dentist to fix a cavity and tried to drill it himself with a regular drill. Unfortunately, he ended up getting the bit stuck in the tooth, and in the end still ended up needing to see the dentist to get it out.
Tomato, Tomato
While your diet should include a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, one particular patient found out the hard way that flossing is important. They arrived at their emergency dentist appointment in agony expecting to need a root canal, but what their dentist found was not your garden variety infection. Instead of damaged pulp and tooth roots, they discovered that the patient had plant roots growing below the gumline! Apparently, they had some tomato seeds trapped that eventually sprouted and began growing a tomato plant inside their mouth.
Takeout Fake-out
Unfortunately, some problems are more common than others. In a case that happens somewhat frequently, a senior patient hadn’t been removing her dentures to brush them or sleep. Dentures should be removed twice a day for cleaning and then soaked overnight. Failure to do so can cause damage to both your dentures and to your jaw. When the woman removed hers for her dentist, they not only smelled awful, but they were also warped, cracked, and completely discolored, highlighting the importance of always removing them as directed!
Remember, accidents happen, and dental emergencies can arise at any time, but if you experience one, don’t take matters into your own hands. Contact your dentist as soon as possible and follow their instructions!
About Our Practice
At Artistry Smile Center, we know that dental emergencies can happen anytime. That’s why we offer urgent appointments for when the unexpected occurs. If you’re experiencing any kind of dental pain that lasts longer than 24 hours, contact us as soon as possible to be seen, and we’ll have you smiling again in no time!
To schedule an emergency appointment, please call us at 614-451-7393, or visit our website.