You might consider self-extraction if you have a severe toothache and cannot get to the dentist immediately. However, extracting a tooth by yourself at home is very dangerous and can result in serious injury and complications such as infection, bleeding, and permanent damage to jaw nerves.
Tooth extraction is a very delicate procedure and should only be performed by a professional in the field of dentistry. Enhance Dental Centre highly discourages any self-performed do-it-yourself dental work. In this blog, we’ll discuss why extracting teeth at home is very dangerous and why seeking professional care for your safety and well-being is important.
Risks of Home Tooth Extraction
The risks should be assessed cautiously, and professional dental care is strongly advised as soon as possible, even after the successful at-home extraction process. The dangers of self-tooth extraction at home are:
- Infection
- Broken tooth/ root fragments
- Bone damage
- Permanent nerve damage
- Uncontrolled bleeding
- Open wound
- Severe pain
MEDICAL WARNING: Tooth Extraction should never be attempted at home and should only be performed by a Dental Professional.
NOTE: Most dental offices, Including Enhance Dental Centre can offer emergency services in extreme cases.
NOTE: In Canada, in cases where the tooth emergency takes place outside of regular business hours, most hospitals have a qualified dentist on call, and they can perform the extractions at no cost.
TOOTH EXTRACTION AT HOME WILL LEAD TO COMPLICATIONS AND A QUALIFIED DENTIST SHOULD BE SEEN AS SOON AS POSSIBLE IF A TOOTH EXTRACTION IS ATTEMPTED OR COMPLETED AT HOME.
The information provided below is only in extreme cases where a person is not able to get to a dental professional such as a remote location, or where there are no hospitals nearby.
This information is only meant to help you lessen the complications in case a tooth extraction needs to be attempted at home without any other alternative.
Preparing for Tooth Extraction at Home
Before you do the extraction at home, prepare the following things and set up your environment. You will need:
- Sterile gauze or clean cotton balls
- Antiseptic mouthwash or hydrogen peroxide
- Over-the-counter pain medicine such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen
- Ice packs
- Clean tweezers or pliers, sterilized in boiling water or rubbing alcohol
- Dental floss or string
- Gloves if available
- You should also be in a well-lit area with a mirror and in a comfortable position to work on this task.
Step-by-Step Guide to Emergency Tooth Extraction at Home
We strongly advise against pulling a tooth at home due to serious risks, like infection, heavy bleeding, and lasting damage. We realize that some are desperate during an emergency, but self-removal of a tooth is very dangerous and should be the last resort.
If you are in severe pain and can’t get to a dentist right away, follow this guide carefully and be ready to get emergency help if needed.
Wash Your Hands and Sterilise Equipment
Hygiene is very important when pulling out a tooth at home. First, clean your hands with soap and warm water. Then, sterilize the instruments, tweezers, or dental floss with boiling water and rub them with alcohol.
Prepare the Area
Clean up the area around the affected tooth very well with antiseptic mouthwash or hydrogen peroxide. Next, rinse with warm salt water, as this helps reduce inflammation and allows your mouth to heal better.
Numb the Area
If available, apply over-the-counter numbing gels or sprays around the tooth so the patient won’t feel as much pain during the extraction process. Severe pain will be experienced without proper numbing by a dentist.
Loosen the Tooth
Use dental floss or string to gently wiggle and loosen the tooth. Be careful not to pull too hard, as this might cause more damage, leading to pain.
Extract the Tooth
With sterilized tweezers or pliers, hold the tooth firmly and gently move it back and forth. This will further loosen the tooth. When it is loose enough, pull it out in the direction its roots are heading.
Bleeding Control
Immediately after extraction, bite on a clean gauze or cotton ball and exert pressure to control the bleeding. Continue this for a few minutes until the bleeding stops. Replace the gauze or cotton ball as needed to assist the blood in clotting.
Apply Cold Compress
An ice pack or cold compress in the area would help minimize swelling and discomfort.
Take Pain Medication
Pain relief medication, which can be purchased over the counter at any drugstore, will ease much of the pain and discomfort after an extraction.
Note: Even when a home extraction is successful, professional dental care must be sought immediately. The dentist can examine the area, ensure that it is healing correctly, and dispense any additional treatment or antibiotics to guard against infection.
Aftercare for Tooth Extraction
Avoid rinsing, spitting, or drinking through a straw immediately after an emergency tooth extraction for 24 hours because it dislodges the blood clot. Eat soft and cool foods. After 24 hours, rinse the mouth with warm salt water regularly to keep it clean. Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption because they delay healing and increase the infection risk.
Keep the extraction site under observation for signs of infection, such as swelling, acutely severe pains, and pus discharges. If you develop any of these symptoms, seek professional dental care.
Conclusion
Extracting a tooth by yourself is extremely dangerous and is not advised unless you are really in a desperate situation. The risks of infection, excessive bleeding, nerve damage, and harm to the surrounding teeth weigh much more heavily against the potential relief it would bring. Though this guide will give you an idea of the steps you might take in an absolute emergency, professional dental care is always the safest route.
Enhance Dental Centre is fully equipped to handle dental emergencies with the proper expertise and care you need. When you are experiencing unbearable tooth pain or have any other urgent need for treatment, don’t hesitate to contact us for assistance. Your oral health is far too precious to be ruined by DIY measures; instead, let our skills provide you with safe and effective care.
FAQs
1- How do you pull a rotten tooth out at home without pain?
If wiggling doesn’t work, dental floss might do the trick. Wrap some clean dental floss around the bottom of your tooth. Then, with gentle but firm pressure, pull out your tooth. This method is effective for teeth that are almost ready to come out but need a little more force. There will be some pain without the assistance of a qualified dentist
2- How to numb a tooth to pull it out at home?
If you feel discomfort while extracting the tooth, you can try to numb your gum with ice chips or over-the-counter anesthesia.
3- Can I let a rotten tooth fall out on its own?
A tooth eventually falls out when its connecting tissues die or get damaged. However, you shouldn’t wait for this to happen. A rotten tooth that isn’t treated can cause serious problems, like gum disease, tooth abscesses and infections.
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