Your dentist is trained and equipped to address dental emergencies with compassion and effective treatments, and they can help you find immediate relief from miserable toothaches and other unpleasant oral health issues. No two dental emergencies are exactly the same, but there are a few cases that are well beyond what can be considered normal. Here’s a brief look at several of the oddest dental emergencies as well as a few tips for keeping your mouth healthy.
The Calculus Bridge
In one case, a man decided he was fed up with the large and unsightly accumulation of food debris and plaque on his teeth, so he aggressively brushed them in an attempt to get rid of it. Imagine his surprise when his teeth started to fall out as the buildup was eliminated! It turns out that this poor guy had developed a calculus bridge, meaning his teeth had rotted out of his gums and were being held in place by the accumulation of tartar. You can avoid this by brushing and flossing your teeth every day and seeing your dentist regularly.
A Dental Emergency to Make Your Skin Crawl
For most people, a nasty case of bad breath is enough to make them take their oral hygiene more seriously. However, going too long without brushing and flossing can have consequences far grosser than halitosis. One child was brought to the dentist because he was complaining of pain in his teeth and gums. When the dentist examined his mouth expecting to find plaque and tartar, he instead found that the patient’s gums were hosting live maggots.
DIY Dental Drilling Is a Terrible Idea
Dentists are used to addressing all sorts of dental damage like chips, cracks, infections, and objects stuck in the gum tissue, but extreme tooth injuries can be especially memorable. For example, one dentist saw a patient who attempted to address his own tooth decay by removing it with a power drill from his garage. The dentist had to remove the drill bit stuck in the gentleman’s tooth and address the wound with appropriate restorative treatments. Do-it-yourself dental surgery is always a horrible idea, so please contact your dentist if you suspect you have a cavity.
About the Practice
Dr. Douglas J. Gammenthaler earned his dental degree at the Loma Linda University School of Dentistry and stays abreast of the latest developments in his field through continuing education coursework. He is proud to be an active member of the American Dental Association and the Academy of General Dentistry. His office in Rogers offers general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry. If you are experiencing an oral health crisis, contact his office online or dial (479) 888-5362.