Awkward Urgency: 3 Strange Dental Emergencies

Try though you might, you can never anticipate exactly when a dental emergency might occur. Brushing and flossing twice daily can prevent many common problems, like cavities, gum disease, and injuries, but there’s no guarantee that you’ll never experience an urgent issue. Thankfully, many dentists offer same-day visits to quickly identify and treat the underlying cause.

Unfortunately, you might avoid scheduling a smile-saving appointment if you’re embarrassed about the state of your smile. Continue reading to learn about 3 of the strangest dental emergencies patients have experienced for some much-needed assurance that your issue probably isn’t all that unusual!

Emergency #1: Sprouting Seed

You likely already know that consuming overly sugary foods and drinks attracts harmful bacteria that form plaque, increasing your vulnerability to tooth decay and periodontal problems. Meanwhile, eating wholesome foods, like fresh fruits and veggies, supplies your body with all the nutrients it needs to support your oral and overall health.

However, you must brush and floss twice daily to remove residue buildup and leftover food that can cause concerns. Take, for example, one gentleman who arrived at his dentist’s office complaining of nagging aches in his teeth and gums. When his provider performed an emergency root canal, it was discovered that a lodged tomato seed had sprouted and was growing in his mouth. Yikes!

Emergency #2: Sticky Situation

You might not consider a damaged or dislodged restoration, like dentures or a dental crown, to be an urgent, but plenty of people have accidentally harmed their teeth, gums, or bite alignment by wearing prosthetics that were broken or didn’t fit correctly.

Then, you might feel tempted to try to repair the damage on your own at home with a denture repair kit or household supplies, like superglue. The latter might seem like a feasible solution, but it’s not intended for oral use and can be harmful. It can be toxic if swallowed, and you might inadvertently glue your teeth closed or damage your mouth and throat, like one patient who attempted to glue her crown back over her injured tooth.

Emergency #3: Bridge Buildup

Although brushing and flossing your teeth twice daily at home can help maintain a happy, healthy grin, it’s also recommended that you visit your dentist every six months for a routine checkup and cleaning. This allows your provider to monitor your condition so they can catch and treat areas of concern, like plaque and tartar buildup, before they progress.

If you neglect your oral health for too long, you’re likely to form residue that can calcify into a hard bridge across multiple teeth. It’s important to contact your dentist for professional assistance to remove the hardened material safely, or you might end up like one patient who aggressively brushed away the calculus bridge only to start losing teeth. After years of neglecting their dental routine, the calculus bridge was the only thing anchoring their teeth in place.

Remember, your dentist is more concerned about helping restore your smile than berating you for its condition, so there’s no reason to delay scheduling your emergency visit!

Meet the Author

Dr. Darrick Castleberry is passionate about helping families in Louetta improve their lives by enhancing their oral well-being. He earned his dental degree from the Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry and then completed a General Practice Residency with the United States Navy. Today, he’s a member of several prestigious organizations, including the National Dental Association, so you can trust that your grin is in good hands. His caring approach combines with advanced technology to deliver comfortable, reliable results. You can request an appointment on the website or by calling (281) 971-3440.