How a Piece of Popcorn Stuck in a Man's Teeth Led to Open-Heart Surgery

[Judi Lynn]

By Rachael Rettner - Senior Writer 3 days ago

The lodged popcorn husk was more than a nuisance.

Getting popcorn stuck in your teeth is usually just an annoyance, but for one man in England, it led to open-heart surgery, according to news reports.

The 41-year-old man, Adam Martin, was eating popcorn while watching a movie at home last September when a husk got lodged in his teeth, according to local news outlet Cornwall Live.

The food proved difficult to dislodge. In a desperate attempt to remove the husk, Martin prodded at his gums with an array of household items, including a pen cap, a toothpick, a piece of wire and a metal nail, Cornwall Live reported.

Soon afterward, Martin developed a toothache but didn't go to the dentist. Then, he developed flu-like symptoms, including night sweats, fatigue and headaches. These symptoms prompted him to go to the doctor, where he was diagnosed with a heart murmur.

More:
https://www.livescience.com/popcorn-teeth-heart-infection.html

[lapfog_1]

1. Odd fact...

the blood vessels that go to and from your jaws go directly to the heart... unlike the vast majority of blood that passes through the liver and kidneys to be cleaned of toxins.

This allows for any bacteria to go from the gums (where there is usually an ample supply) to possibly infect the heart.

I was diagnosed with a mitral valve prolapse (or heart mummer) which means that some blood that flows through the chambers of the heart can back flow through the mitral valve... allowing any bacteria in that blood to infect the heart muscle. Since I was a child, any dental procedure required me to take penicillin for a few days prior to the procedure. These days they give me one massive dose of amoxicillin the day of the procedure. This is all an attempt to kill any bacteria that might be passed into the blood stream from cleaning my teeth or any other procedure.

[c-rational]

2. There is a big connection between oral health and overall health, and dental care should be part of

our national healthcare. Remember, floss only those teeth you want to keep.

[in2herbs]

3. Taking a massive dose of antibiotics is also required prior to any dental procedure if you have an

artificial hip (or other bionic device?)

[csziggy]

4. Yes, since I got my knees replaced I've had to take antibiotics before any dental procedure

Even just a teeth cleaning. And since I had my aortic valve replaced, I have to be even more certain to take it. Fortunately, I don't get much problem from the antibiotic, though some people apparently get digestive upsets with it.