Incorrect Ways to Pull Out a Tooth

It can be tempting to pull a tooth yourself when it seems loose. You can save the money you would pay a dentist to do the same, right? Wrong. Adult teeth are not meant to be pulled like a child’s temporary teeth are. Adult teeth are called “permanent” because they are meant to stay. But, we know that these permanent teeth can deteriorate over time and get various conditions that make it necessary to extract them. When a tooth has problems that require it to be pulled, it is critical to see a professional dental practitioner to do the work. 

All kinds of issues can ensue after a tooth is removed, which can lead to other problems when the extraction is not performed properly. Your teeth have an important role in many actions besides chewing. They help you talk and give you the correct jaw shape so it functions correctly. At Hamby Family Dental Center, your Fuquay-Varina dentist, we are skilled at removing teeth and performing procedures correctly with minimal pain and problems afterward. In this article, we describe some incorrect ways to pull out a tooth, present the reasons for having a tooth extracted by a dentist, and the issues that can occur when you attempt to pull a tooth incorrectly.

Reasons to Have a Tooth Extracted

Although permanent teeth are supposed to last a lifetime, there are several reasons why tooth extraction may be needed. Most commonly, a tooth that is too badly damaged from trauma or decay will need to be either repaired or removed. Other common reasons for extracting a tooth, or teeth, include:

• Overcrowded mouth – Sometimes a person’s teeth are too big for the space in the mouth. In this case, pulling a tooth or several teeth is necessary and then orthodontia is used to properly align the teeth. There may not be room enough for a tooth to break through the gum (common with wisdom teeth). It becomes impacted and needs to be removed.
• Infection – If a tooth is decayed, the damage can extend to the pulp, causing infection to enter the pulp (the center of the tooth containing nerves and blood vessels). Most of the time, a root canal with antibiotic treatment can correct this situation. However, if these don’t cure the infection because it is so severe, the tooth may need to be pulled.

Problems from Pulling a Tooth Incorrectly

When you have a tooth pulled out incorrectly, some consequential issues can occur such as:

• It can be more difficult to speak properly.
• Chewing can be uncomfortable.
• Your bite can be misaligned.
• It can cause teeth to move.
• It can cause mental health problems such as anxiety and embarrassment at smiling and speaking.

Increases the Risk of Infection

There is an open wound in the mouth after an extraction that can leave your jawbone and nerves exposed to the elements. This is a significant risk for infection. As with any open wound, if it isn’t treated carefully it can cause further problems in the mouth as well as have consequences throughout your body. Infection can travel via the bloodstream to organs such as your heart and cause severe damage.

Incorrect Ways to Pull a Tooth

We don’t recommend any of these ways to pull a tooth, but we have seen patients who have attempted to remove a tooth using one of these methods.

String and Door Approach

Using the string and door approach may seem to make sense when you have a tooth that is damaged and needs to be extracted. If your tooth is infected, you are running a high risk of making the infection worse because you now have an open wound and a hole. This is both an immediate and a long-term risk factor increase. You can also damage the tooth more if you remove only part of the tooth and not the root. You can also damage adjacent teeth. More than likely, this method of extracting a tooth will cost you more in the long run.

Pliers Approach

People have attempted to remove teeth by using pliers because they grip well and give you the torque you need. This is a really bad idea for several reasons. First, the tooth could have been salvageable and didn’t need to be pulled. What if it was infected? A dentist would treat the infection first before extracting the tooth. If the infection is left, it can spread into your bloodstream and into your body to infect your heart and other organs. Perhaps the tooth is impacted. If you pull an impacted tooth, you will need to be seen by a dental professional immediately.

Contact Hamby Family Dental Center for Tooth Extraction and a Dental Exam

Please do not attempt to remove a tooth on your own. Our team at Hamby Family Dentistry takes extra care when performing tooth extractions. We understand that removing a tooth can be a situation that causes you anxiety, so we pay particular attention to being gentle and making sure your experience with us is comfortable. Remember, try not to attempt to handle a dental issue on your own. Contact us today for all of your oral health needs. Call us at 919-552-2431 or complete the form below.