Quick answer
It is not recommended to pull your own teeth. Only a dentist or oral surgeon should remove teeth, as they have the proper training, tools, and techniques to do so safely. Attempting to pull your own tooth can lead to severe pain, infection, and permanent damage.
When is it okay to pull your own tooth?
There are very few circumstances where it may be acceptable to remove your own tooth:
- The tooth is barely attached and about to fall out on its own.
- You are in a remote location without access to dental care.
- It is a baby tooth that is loose and ready to come out.
Even in these cases, it is best to let a professional do it if possible. Forcefully pulling teeth yourself can fracture the tooth or jawbone and leave root fragments behind.
Dangers of pulling your own teeth
Attempting to extract your own teeth comes with many risks:
- Severe pain – Removing a tooth is an invasive procedure that can damage nerves and tissue in the mouth and cause significant pain during and after.
- Infection – Without proper sterilization and technique, you may introduce bacteria deeper into the socket, leading to a serious infection in the bone called osteomyelitis.
- Incomplete extraction – Roots can fracture and become stuck in the bone while pulling, requiring oral surgery later to fully remove them.
- Damage to other teeth – Tools like pliers can chip or loosen nearby teeth while attempting to pull the target tooth.
- Bleeding – Forceful removal may tear blood vessels and cause excessive bleeding that is difficult to stop.
- Dry socket – Removing the blood clot after extraction too soon increases the risk of painful dry socket.
- Nerve damage – Manipulating teeth can damage nerves that provide sensation to the lips, chin, and tongue.
- Sinus involvement – Upper teeth are close to the maxillary sinuses. Attempting to extract upper back teeth may puncture the sinuses.
These complications often require emergency dental treatment to properly manage.
Proper tooth extraction technique
Dentists have many years of education and training to learn the safest, most effective methods for extracting teeth. Here are some of the techniques and tools they use:
- Local anesthetic – Numbing medications are injected around the tooth to completely block pain.
- Elevators – Special instruments are used to loosen the tooth and gently separate it from the bone.
- Forceps – Extraction forceps grip the tooth securely and apply steady pressure in the ideal direction to remove it.
- Rotary instruments – Small drills may be utilized to divide the tooth for easier removal.
- Irrigation – The site is flushed with sterile saline to keep it clear of debris.
- Suturing – Stitches are often placed to reapproximate the gums and aid healing.
- Medications – Antibiotics, pain relievers, and other medications are prescribed to prevent complications.
Proper technique helps avoid fracturing the tooth and minimizes trauma to the surrounding tissues.
When to see a dentist
You should contact a dentist for tooth extraction if you have:
- A damaged or decayed tooth not responsive to other treatments
- A crowded mouth needing teeth removed for orthodontics
- An nonfunctional wisdom tooth partially emerged in the gums
- A dental abscess with swelling and pus
- Tooth mobility indicating advanced periodontal disease
- Severe tooth pain from infection or trauma
- A tooth socket still healing weeks after a tooth fell out on its own
Do not try extracting any teeth on your own. Let an oral health professional assess the situation and determine the safest method.
When to see an oral surgeon
For certain situations, you may be referred to an oral surgeon for extraction instead of a general dentist:
- Difficult tooth extractions requiring open surgery
- Fractured jaw or roots
- Impacted or unerupted teeth needing bone removal
- Teeth near nerves or blood vessels
- Full bony impactions of wisdom teeth
- Extensive infection around the tooth
- Patients with certain medical conditions making extractions risky
Oral surgeons have four more years of specialized surgical training beyond dental school. They can perform more complex extractions and have expertise in managing complications if they arise.
Before the extraction
There are steps you can take to prepare for a tooth extraction and facilitate the healing process:
- Get any active dental infections treated with antibiotics first
- Have a thorough oral exam to identify any other diseased teeth
- Take medications as prescribed to prevent infection and relieve pain after
- Arrange a ride home, as anesthesia may make you groggy
- Ask your dentist if over-the-counter pain relievers prior are recommended
- Follow any special instructions for eating and drinking before the procedure
- Quit smoking, as it impairs healing and increases infection risk
Proper planning and preparation helps make the extraction process as quick and comfortable as possible.
During the extraction
You can expect the following during your actual tooth extraction appointment:
- Numbing – The dentist will inject a local anesthetic like lidocaine to completely numb the area.
- Isolation – Your tooth will be separated from the adjacent teeth with a rubber dam.
- Loosening – Instruments like elevators will be used to loosen your tooth.
- Removal – The dentist utilizes forceps to rock the tooth and gently extract it.
- Cleaning – The socket is irrigated and suctioned to remove any debris.
- Stitches – Stitches or a collagen plug may be placed to aid healing.
- Gauze – You will bite on gauze to encourage clotting for 20-30 minutes.
Extractions are quick, taking approximately 10-20 minutes depending on the tooth.
Pain level
With local anesthesia, pain during the actual extraction should be minimal. The numbing medication keeps you comfortable while the tooth is removed.
However, as the anesthesia wears off over the next few hours, it is common to have some degree of pain. This can range from mild soreness to throbbing pain depending on your individual situation.
Your dentist can provide prescription strength pain relievers to keep you comfortable during recovery if needed. Using ice packs on your face during the first 24 hours also helps reduce swelling and pain.
Aftercare and recovery
Follow these tips for proper aftercare and healing following a tooth extraction:
- Take medications as directed for pain and to prevent infection
- Use ice packs on your face for the first 1-2 days to minimize swelling
- Eat soft, nutritious foods like yogurt, soup, applesauce, and smoothies
- Avoid drinking through a straw, as the suction can dislodge the clot
- Don’t smoke, rinse forcefully, or do other activities that disturb the clot
- Sleep with your head elevated on pillows to reduce bleeding
- Brush gently around the site; avoid disturbing the socket
- See your dentist if you have heavy bleeding, fever, or severe pain
With proper care, sockets typically heal in around 1-2 weeks. Mild sensitivity in the area may persist for a few months.
Cost of extraction
The cost of extracting a tooth depends on various factors:
| Tooth Type | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Simple extraction (non-surgical) | $75 – $300 per tooth |
| Surgical extraction | $150 – $650 per tooth |
| Impacted wisdom tooth removal | $225 – $600 per tooth |
Complex extractions like impacted wisdom teeth cost more. Getting multiple teeth extracted at once often has a discounted rate. Dental insurance can cover a portion of the extraction cost.
Alternatives to extraction
Depending on your situation, the dentist may recommend alternatives to extraction:
- Root canal – Diseased tooth pulp is removed and the root is sealed to save the tooth.
- Crown – An artificial cap is placed on the tooth to restore strength and function.
- Filling – For minor decay, fillings repair the damaged section of enamel.
- Antibiotics – If an abscess is present, antibiotics may be prescribed to clear the infection first.
- Scaling – Removing dental tartar and plaque can help improve tooth loosening issues.
- Orthodontics – Teeth may be extracted as part of preparing for orthodontic treatment.
Discuss any options with your dentist to determine if extraction is the right choice.
Conclusion
It is strongly advised to never attempt extracting a tooth yourself, except in very rare circumstances where there is no dental access. Having a dentist or oral surgeon remove a tooth is critical to prevent severe complications. Make sure you properly care for the extraction site after and schedule follow-ups as necessary for optimal healing. With professional treatment, the socket typically heals well and you can maintain your dental and overall health.