Welcome to Dental Care of Brentwood! While routine dental exams are a cornerstone of good oral health at our Brentwood practice, sometimes our dentists here in Brentwood uncover more than just cavities and plaque. From unexpected objects to surprising biological phenomena, here are some of the most bizarre things our Brentwood dentists have reportedly found during routine dental exams:
Unbelievable Discoveries During Your Dental Exam
1. DIY Dental Disasters: What Your Dental Exam Might Reveal
Imagine a patient using super glue to reattach a fallen crown or even a tooth! Our Brentwood dental team has encountered cases where individuals, out of fear or desperation, attempted to fix their dental problems with household adhesives. This often leads to severe complications like bone loss, infections, and even teeth getting glued together. One notable case involved a woman who used super glue for 10 years whenever a tooth fell out, which resulted in extensive damage and the need for multiple extractions and implants. This is why a professional dental exam is always necessary.
2. Uninvited Guests: Insects and Sprouting Seeds in Your Dental Exams
You might be surprised to learn that our Brentwood dentists have found actual insects in patients’ mouths. Our team made one particularly unsettling discovery: a fly during a dental exam! Even stranger are the instances of plants taking root. Documented cases show tomato seeds, lodged in the gums, sprouting into tiny plants, or even a small leaf growing out of a cavity. These discoveries highlight the unpredictable nature of dental exams at our Brentwood clinic. Every dental exam can bring a new surprise.
3. The Unseen Garden: Mold and Calculus Bridges Found in a Dental Exam
Neglecting oral hygiene can lead to some truly unpleasant discoveries during a dental exam. Our dentists at Dental Care of Brentwood have reported finding black and white mold growing on dentures that patients had not removed and cleaned for extended periods. Another shocking find is a “calculus bridge” – an extreme buildup of plaque and tartar so severe it forms a solid mass connecting teeth. In some unfortunate cases, this bridge alone held loose teeth in place, and when our team removed it, the teeth simply fell out. Regular dental exams at our Brentwood facility help prevent such extreme conditions. A thorough dental exam can prevent major issues.
4. Foreign Objects: The Unexpected and the Unusual in Your Dental Exam
Beyond the typical food debris, our dental team at Brentwood has unearthed a variety of bizarre foreign objects during dental exams. These included:
- A metal screw: A 10-year-old girl had a small metal screw firmly embedded in her deciduous molar after she attempted to tighten her spectacles with her teeth. This was quite an exam find!
- Rubber bands and staples: Patients have tried to use these everyday items to dislodge food, only for them to become stuck.
- Hair: Our team found excessive hair between teeth; some attributed this to habits like chewing on hair when nervous.
- Fish bones and shrimp legs: While not entirely unexpected, large quantities or persistent presence of these can be quite unusual during a dental exam.
5. Extreme Conditions: Oral Myiasis Identified During Dental Exams
In rare and extreme cases, our dental experts have encountered oral myiasis, a condition where maggot larvae infest the gums. We often see this in developing countries or tropical regions, and it highlights the severe consequences of extreme oral hygiene neglect. Regular dental exams are crucial for early detection of any such issues, even rare ones. It’s a testament to the importance of every dental exam.
These unusual discoveries serve as a stark reminder of the importance of regular dental exams and maintaining good oral hygiene. While these stories might sound like something out of a horror movie, they underscore the vital role our Brentwood dentists play in not only keeping our smiles healthy but also catching potentially serious issues, no matter how bizarre they may seem. So, the next time you visit our Brentwood dental clinic for your routine dental exam, remember: you never know what strange tale they might have from the dental chair! Every dental exam is unique.
Your Oral Health, In Tables
Bizarre Dental Exam Discoveries at a Glance
| Category of Discovery | Examples Found | Potential Cause/Context |
| DIY Dental Mishaps | Super Glue | Attempting self-treatment for dental problems |
| Organic Growth | Tomato Plants, Mold | Neglected oral hygiene, lodged seeds |
| Foreign Objects | Screws, Staples, Hair, Fish Bones | Accidental ingestion, improper use of items, unusual habits during dental exams |
| Unusual Biological | Maggots (Oral Myiasis), Calculus Bridges | Severe oral hygiene neglect, specific medical conditions, often detected in a dental exam |
Consequences of Neglecting Oral Health & DIY Dental Treatments
| Neglect/DIY Action | Potential Consequences |
| Using Super Glue | Severe bone loss, infections, teeth fused together, extractions |
| Ignoring lodged food/debris | Mold growth, infections, gum inflammation, foul odor |
| Not removing dentures | Mold growth, bad breath, bacterial buildup, infections |
| Vigorous self-removal of calculus | Teeth falling out (if calculus was holding them) |
| Avoiding professional care | Worsening of conditions, pain, complex and expensive dental treatments, all preventable by regular dental exams. |
Common Questions About Your Dental Exam
Generally, we recommend a routine dental exam and cleaning every six months, or as advised by your dentist at Dental Care of Brentwood based on your individual oral health needs.
The main purpose of a dental exam is to detect and prevent oral health issues like cavities, gum disease, and other potential problems early on, ensuring timely treatment and maintaining overall oral health.
Yes, our dentists at Brentwood can often tell by examining your teeth and gums for plaque buildup, tartar, gingivitis (gum inflammation), and other signs of inadequate oral hygiene during your exam.
Absolutely. Attempting DIY dental repairs with products like super glue can lead to severe infections, damage to surrounding teeth and gums, bone loss, and costly complications that professional dental care could have avoided.
A calculus bridge is an extreme buildup of hardened plaque (tartar) that connects teeth, sometimes even holding loose teeth in place. You prevent it by consistent and thorough brushing and flossing to remove plaque before it hardens into tartar, along with regular professional cleanings and a complete dental exam.
Yes, the mouth can show signs of systemic health issues such as diabetes, nutritional deficiencies, and even some types of cancer. This is why a comprehensive oral exam is important for your overall well-being.
If floss doesn’t work, avoid using sharp objects or excessive force, as this can damage your teeth or gums. Try rinsing your mouth vigorously with water, and if the object persists, schedule an appointment with your Brentwood dentist to have them safely remove it.
Dental X-rays are a crucial diagnostic tool that allows your dentist to see issues not visible to the naked eye during a visual exam, such as cavities between teeth, bone loss, infections, or impacted teeth. Your dentist will determine the frequency based on your oral health history and risk factors.
Oral myiasis is a very rare condition where fly larvae (maggots) infest the tissues of the mouth, usually occurring in cases of severe neglect or in specific geographical regions. You will find it extremely uncommon with proper oral hygiene and regular dental exams.
Many dental problems, like early cavities or gum disease, don’t cause pain until they’re advanced. Regular check-ups allow our Brentwood dental team to detect and treat these issues early during your exam, preventing them from becoming more serious, painful, and expensive problems.
Your Healthy Smile Starts Here in Brentwood!
These fascinating, albeit sometimes alarming, anecdotes from the dental exam chair highlight a crucial truth: consistent dental care is paramount. At Dental Care of Brentwood, our dedicated dentists and team are committed to providing thorough dental exams and comprehensive care to ensure your oral health, no matter what surprises may arise. Don’t wait for a bizarre discovery to prompt your next visit! Explore our wide range of dental services and learn more about our experienced doctors who are ready to assist you. You can easily schedule your next dental exam online and take the next step towards a healthier, brighter smile. We look forward to seeing you at our Brentwood dental office!