- Adults should not pull their own teeth at home, as this can lead to complications. Pulling loose teeth should be done by a dentist.
- Children's baby teeth should fall out naturally. However, if a tooth is loose and can be wiggled without pain, it can be gently pulled at home.
- There are several ways to remove a loose tooth, including wiggling the tooth, brushing and flossing vigorously, twisting with sterile gauze, and avoiding hard and crunchy foods.
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What is the safest way to pull a loose tooth? This article will show you several options.
When to pull a loose tooth?
When exactly is the right time to pull a loose tooth depends on the patient's condition. There are several key aspects to consider before proceeding with the process.
When you try to pull a tooth, there is a chance that a piece will remain inside. Pulling can also damage your gums and tissues. There is also a risk of infection and excessive bleeding. Professional treatment will help you avoid such damage to your oral health.
However, it is a good idea to extract a loose baby tooth that is hanging out. This way, a child can also avoid accidentally swallowing it. Adults should see a dentist who will examine their teeth to determine if they can be saved or if they need to be replaced. If extraction is considered necessary by the dentist, only the dentist or a dental specialist can perform it in the safest way possible.
How to pull a loose tooth?
There are several options to help you with home tooth extractions. Remember that the procedure also includes necessary aftercare.
Keep wiggling
Advise your child to wiggle the loose tooth as often as possible throughout the day. This way, over time, there will be a constant impulse to loosen the tooth further without the child hurting themselves. Make sure that the wiggling does not cause any discomfort.
Brush and floss vigorously
Brushing and flossing with extra force helps loosen a tooth. This way, you can pull it out easily and without pain.
Brush your teeth with natural up-and-down movements, using a gentle but firm pressure. Place the dental floss between the loose and adjacent teeth. Curve the dental floss with a back-and-forth motion on the underside of the tooth. Thus, the loose tooth will be pulled out without pain.
Twist with sterile gauze
Take a piece of sterile medical gauze and hold the loose tooth. Rotate the tooth left and right. This will weaken the tissue that holds the tooth in place. This constant movement makes it easy to remove the tooth, but may cause discomfort to the child, so please stop if that is the case.
Eat hard and crunchy foods
Chewing on hard and crunchy foods like apples, carrots, or nuts can loosen a tooth even more. As a result, you may be able to pull it out seamlessly.
Leave it to the dentist
A visit to the dentist is necessary if other symptoms occur. Look for abnormalities on the tooth or nearby gums, such as swelling and bleeding.
Pay attention to the cause that is causing your tooth to loosen. It may be the result of an accident, severe tooth decay, or advanced gum disease - all of which require assessment and treatment by a dentist.
Lee warns: ”I have to be incredibly clear: the rule for an adult's loose tooth is the exact opposite. Trying to pull your own permanent tooth is a terrible idea.”
”I often explain it like this: a baby tooth is like a ripe apple that's naturally ready to fall off the branch. The connection is designed to let go,” he says, stressing that ”a loose adult tooth, on the other hand, is like a healthy tree in a storm—it is only loose because the ground around it is washing away.”
”That 'ground' is your jawbone, and a loose adult tooth is a significant warning sign that you have advanced gum disease that is actively destroying that bone,” Lee adds.
Your dentist will then perform a safe tooth removal and make sure no fragments remain. The doctor will also examine the adjacent teeth for decay and the gums for signs of inflammation.
FAQ
Is it safe to pull a loose tooth on your own?
If a child needs an extraction, you can perform it yourself. Note that if the pain is severe, the child should see a dentist. Adults should never try to conduct an extraction without medical help.
How can I numb a loose tooth before pulling it out at home?
Sucking on something frozen, such as ice cubes or popsicles, can numb the sensitivity in your mouth. This may help you to extract a tooth without pain. There are also over-the-counter remedies, such as Oragel, which may help temporarily numb the gums, making the extraction of the baby tooth less uncomfortable for the child.
What are your options after removing an adult tooth?
Unfortunately, you cannot replace your permanent tooth. However, there are other options available to help you regain your smile. They include dental implants, bridges, and removable partial dentures.
What are unsafe ways to remove a loose tooth?
For adults, any extraction without medical supervision can be dangerous. Any method that performs extraction in children with too much force is harmful too. It can lead to incomplete extraction, excessive blood loss, soft tissue damage, and infection. Adults should see a doctor for removal. For children, it is better to wait. Sooner or later, the delicate roots will become too weak and the child will experience painless tooth loss. If the adult tooth erupts into the mouth and the baby tooth on top of it is still present, a visit to the dentist is required to remove the baby tooth, allowing the adult tooth to erupt properly.
References
- Pedlar J, Frame JW (2001). Oral and maxillofacial surgery : an objective-based textbook. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone. ISBN 978-0-443-06017-5. OCLC 45708690
- Hupp JR, Ellis E, Tucker MR (2008). Contemporary oral and maxillofacial surgery (5th ed.). St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby Elsevier. ISBN 9780323049030.
- Emergency Dental Care Dental Clinical Guidance. Dundee: Dundee: Scottish Dental Clinical Effectiveness Programme. 2007. pp. 10, 12. ISBN 978-1-905829-04-0.
Harry Lee, DMD
Parents often ask me about their child's loose baby tooth, and my advice is usually straightforward. The body is designed for this! If a baby tooth is dangling and comes out easily with a gentle twist of some gauze, that is just a normal rite of passage. It is a sign that the permanent tooth is about to erupt.