Dental Emergencies Gone Wild: 3 Bizarre Stories

July 18, 2026

Man shocked and covering his mouth

When most people picture a dental emergency, they think of a throbbing toothache, cracked tooth, or a crown that’s come loose. Those are a few common ones, but there are several cases where a patient walks in with a story that can be hard to forget. Here are three tales from other offices that might make you grateful that your own situations are more ordinary.

An Unexpected Houseplant

This patient’s visit began like countless others. Sharp pain sent them straight to the dentist, and after a quick look, a root canal was on the schedule. The team got to work right away to bring some relief.

While clearing away the usual buildup, something odd caught their eye near the gumline. It turned out to be a tiny sprout pushing its way through the tissue. A stray tomato seed had settled into the gum and felt right at home that it decided to start sprouting.

A Trip Through the Backyard

A woman noticed her crown had come loose and called her dentist to get it sorted out. This is the right move, so she had a visit scheduled in no time. The restoration was in excellent condition, and it was simply reattached. That said, the mishap actually happened days earlier. She set her dental prosthetic on the counter, and it tumbled to the floor. Her dog snatched it up before she could get it, so she had to wait until it made its way back to her.

A Homemade Fix Gone Wrong

A man came in feeling noticeably unwell, and his dentist got him in without delay. It didn’t take long into the exam before the team found out why he was struggling. The team discovered one of the most severe mouth infections they’d ever encountered. As it turns out, the patient had a hole in his palate and had been packing it with tissue paper. He swapped it out weekly, but the bacteria in his mouth made it a recipe for disaster.

These stories are certainly memorable, but hopefully none of them are familiar to you. Thankfully, regular dental visits and a little everyday care can go a long way to keeping your smile strong and healthy.

About the Practice

Dental emergencies can be stressful, but our team at Little Rock Family Dental Care works to get you relief. Led by compassionate dentists, we can get to the bottom of the issue and give you a reliable solution. Whether it’s a common scenario or a more outlandish one, we are here to help. If you want to protect your grin, schedule an appointment or call our West or Southwest Little Rock office.