From toothaches to knocked-out teeth, your dentist has seen their fair share of dental injuries throughout their career. After all, roughly 5 million teeth are avulsed in sports-related incidents annually. But what about the strange and unusual dental emergency cases they treat? Read on for four stories about patients who would have rather had a broken tooth!
#1. When It’s More Than Just Swollen Gums
This story begins with a young boy’s first visit to the dentist. His parents noticed that he was rubbing one side of his mouth continually, which alerted them that something was off. Once the dentist began the examination, he immediately noticed the boy’s gums were extremely swollen. Turns out, there were maggots in the area. After removing them entirely, the dental team had a long discussion about proper oral care with the family!
#2. When Something Is Growing
Despite its bad reputation, a root canal is a straightforward, routine procedure – until you notice a plant growing inside the patient’s mouth! One dentist found a small seed among the plaque and tartar. Upon closer inspection, they found a tiny plant. After asking a few follow up questions, the dental team determined it was a tomato seed sprouting a plant!
#3. When Teeth Are Holding on by a Thread
The next time you consider skipping your flossing regimen, remember this story! When treating a patient with periodontal disease, one dentist noticed that their teeth were only being held in place by her calculus bridge. Once the tartar and plaque were removed, her teeth were holding on by a thread. In fact, they moved when she breathed!
#4. When Facial Hair Does More Harm Than Good
In recent years, beards of all shapes and sizes have become extremely trendy. However, when a dental assistant found an ant in a patient’s mouth, it didn’t take them long to discover the source: his beard. In fact, his facial hair was full of bugs!
The next time you hear a dental horror story or reflect on your own, remember that your dentist has seen much worse. Fortunately, they have the tools, experience, and skills to effectively treat all kinds of dental emergencies, even when it involves bugs and plants!
About the Author
After moving to the USA, Dr. Sujal Patel earned his MBA at the University of Findlay before completing his Doctor of Dental Surgery at New York University in 2013. Today, he uses a personalized approach to care, integrity-based philosophy, and dedication to high-quality dentistry to help patients with everything from routine appointments to same-day emergency treatment. If you have a toothache or need urgent dental care, visit his website or give him a call at 972-629-9339.