Typical dental emergencies, like a knocked-out tooth or unexpected and persistent toothache, can feel impossible to navigate. However, for three unique individuals, the dental emergencies they experienced were on a whole different level. Read on to learn about three of the strangest emergency dental situations you’ve ever heard about.
Teeth Turned Bottle Openers
Rugby players are, well… rugged. Their high-impact tackling and rough-and-ready scrums can make losing a tooth look like a small inconvenience. In Argentina, a beer company that sponsors the country’s rugby union decided to give a little something back to the players who had broken or missing teeth. They offered to replace them with dental implants that took the form of bottle openers. They had developed a unique dental implant specially designed to open a bottle, while still resembling a tooth! Was the trade-off worth it?
Hanging on by a Thread
In the United States, a dentist had seen just about the worst dental situation ever in a patient who had neglected their teeth. While plaque and tartar buildup are typical in most patients, this patient had accumulated so much calculus on the back of their teeth that it literally bridged the teeth to the gums. The patient finally noticed build-up, and in a desperate attempt to remedy the situation, they furiously brushed their teeth. When they did this, most of their teeth fell out because the only thing that was holding them in their sockets was the calculus!
A Super Dilemma Because of Dental Anxiety
Dental anxiety is no laughing matter. It keeps millions of patients from receiving important dental treatments and routine preventive care every year, which can lead to worsening health problems and dental concerns. One woman in England was terrified of visiting the dentist because her mother learned she had throat cancer from a dental checkup. This deep sense of dread caused her to avoid going to the dental office, even after her teeth started falling out. Instead, she used super glue to permanently affix them in her mouth. The situation eventually got bad enough that she had no choice but to schedule an appointment.
About the Author
Dr. Rafiq Hirji has never encountered any dental emergencies like these, so don’t worry! He is dedicated to providing compassionate and gentle care for patients of all ages, including those with anxiety. Whenever possible, he works to see patients in pain or experiencing urgent situations the same day they call. For questions or to schedule an emergency visit, go to Daily Smiles MacArthur Dental & Orthodontics’ website or call 972-546-4114.