Exploding Teeth: The Bizarre Dental Mystery of the 1800s

In 1817, a Pennsylvania reverend’s toothache ended with an unbelievable bang… his molar exploded “like a pistol shot.”

He wasn’t alone. Throughout the 19th century, dentists recorded cases of exploding teeth that left patients stunned and bystanders ducking for cover. From W.H. Atkinson’s eerie case notes to J. Phelps Hibler’s deafening molar, these bizarre dental blasts baffled science for decades.

In this episode of Sick History, we dig into the journals, the chemistry, and the old-school dentistry that may have turned aching molars into miniature bombs. Why did it happen? And why did the mystery disappear by the early 1900s?

⸻

Disclaimer: This video is for educational and entertainment purposes only. It is not medical advice.

#history #SickHistory #ExplodingTeeth #WeirdHistory #MedicalMysteries #DentistryHistory #shockingfacts