When it comes to dental emergencies, most are pretty run of the mill. Occasionally a patient will lose an old filling while chewing bubblegum or will need a root canal on an infected tooth. But sometimes oral health problems can border on the bizarre. In the spirit of Halloween, here are a few downright scary cases from around the world that will leave you scratching your head and wondering “how could this happen?”

A Sticky Situation

The phrase “don’t try this at home” was pretty much designed for situations like this. A woman lost her dental crown and decided to take matters into her own hands. But while they do sell temporary dental cement at some drug stores (which your dentist does not recommend, by the way) the woman decided instead to use super glue. Yes, the same stuff you use to fix your broken lamp. If you know anything about super glue, you probably are aware that it’s very tricky to work with. It can easily cause a mess, and it can be extremely difficult to remove. Well, in true superglue fashion, not only did she end up gluing the wrong teeth, but she also got the glue everywhere, including in her mouth and down her throat.

If you lose a crown, call your dentist as soon as possible and await further instructions. Never attempt to glue it back in place, even with a product designed to cement dental work!

Know the Drill

Speaking of dental DIY’s, disaster struck yet again when an impatient patient didn’t want to wait to see the dentist and tried to drill his tooth himself with a regular drill. As if this weren’t cringey enough, he then got the drill bit stuck in the tooth, and ultimately ended up needing an emergency appointment with his dentist to remove it.

Don’t put your teeth at risk by attempting to treat yourself at home. Save the drama (and the trauma!) and schedule an urgent appointment with your dentist before resorting to such extreme measures.

Tomato, Tomato

It’s important to eat a wide range of fresh fruits and vegetables, but one patient got more than they bargained for. They arrived at the dentist in extreme pain in their teeth and gums. Thinking they needed a root canal, their dentist got started clearing away the damaged tooth pulp and roots, only to discover that there were a totally different kind of roots present: plant roots! The patient had gotten a few tomato seeds trapped below their gumline, and in a bizarre turn of events, the roots sprouted, and the patient was literally growing tomato plants in their mouth! While this is extremely rare, the patient did the right thing in this situation and sought help from their dentist when they experienced pain.

Take Me Out

Finally, in a case that is a bit more common, an elderly patient arrived at the dentist and created quite a shock when the dentist discovered that she had not been removing her dentures at all. To put it in perspective, you’re supposed to remove your dentures daily: at least once for a deep cleaning, and then overnight to soak in water or denture soak. You can brush them while still in your mouth several times a day but removing them is absolutely essential.

Well, suffice it to say, the woman’s dentures were in awful condition. They smelled bad, were warped and cracked, and they were completely discolored. Don’t let this happen to your own prosthetics: always follow the proper care instructions given to you by your dentist, otherwise you could be dealing with a dental disaster of your own!

Remember, spooky season can give you quite a scare if you don’t take care of your oral health, but there’s only so much you can do on your own. If you find yourself dealing with a dental emergency, don’t panic. Call your dentist for further instructions so you don’t put your teeth and gums at further risk.

About Our Practice

At Berquist Family Dentistry, we work together as a family to help you and your family achieve optimal oral health. We believe in compassionate and kind care with a skilled hand, and we’ll never push treatments you don’t need or make you feel bad about the condition of your smile. If you need an urgent appointment for any type of dental emergency (even a garden growing in your gums!) please visit our website or call us today at 219-226-0544.