The Heath Risks of a DIY Tooth Extraction

Dentist Blog

Having a toothache or a loose tooth can be difficult to deal with. Indeed, the constant pain from the tooth, as well as any looseness, can make basic functions such as speech, eating and brushing much more challenging. Due to the relatively high cost of dental treatment, many people are tempted to attempt removing the tooth at home.

A DIY tooth extraction, while seemingly convenient, can result in a broad range of complications. A toothache typically resembles a deeper underlying problem such as tooth decay, gum infection or damage to the nerve endings. Therefore, the problem may require more treatment than simply pulling the tooth out.

Here are some of the health risks you may be exposing yourself to by attempting to pull your tooth out.

1. It may lead to an increased risk of infection

An aching or loose tooth may already be infected, but trying to pull it out by yourself can make things worse. Indeed, you may be tempted to use unsanitary items such as a knife or other sharp object to pull the tooth out. This is not only dangerous to your teeth and gums, but it can also increase your risk of infection.

Using unsterilised items in the mouth can introduce bacteria that may infect the gums, neighbouring teeth and nerve endings. Therefore, you may end up with a more complicated oral health condition than you started with.

2. You may not pull the entire tooth out

Perhaps the biggest risk with trying to extract your own tooth is that it can break while in the mouth. A partially broken tooth is even harder to remove and can become an entry point for multiple infections.

In addition, if the tooth breaks, it can cause excruciating pain and discomfort. And finally, a broken tooth can interfere with the underlying nerve endings and increase soreness and sensitivity.

3. It can result in more complications

A DIY tooth extraction that goes wrong can cause many different complications. For example, you can damage neighbouring teeth and end up with multiple toothaches instead of just one. You can also infect your gums and end up with complications such as periodontal disease. If the tooth is near the back of the mouth, you can also experience difficulty with chewing and speech as a result of a DIY extraction gone wrong.

Therefore, it is always advisable to have a dentist professionally extract your tooth. While it can be a costly option, it is the healthier option all the same. There are also ways through which you can mitigate the cost, such as looking into payment plans or dental insurance policies.

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23 August 2018

Fillings: Everything You Need to Know

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