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cranky_gut asked in HealthDental · 1 decade ago

I NEED to pull my own tooth?

I know all the reasons not to pull my own tooth (infection, pain make matters worse etc) This molar has bothered me for years. Half of the tooth is broken (missing), there is an exposed huge silver filling and what is left of the tooth is grey. I saw the dentist but before she will do any work she wants to do a deep cleaning which will be $1600. I can't even feed my kids so I can't afford that. I will spend money on my kids teeth before my own. So my mind is made up. I need advise on how to get this tooth out. I've tried using a string and pliers. I CANNOT go to the dentist again. I have been to the dentist I don't have thousands of dollars. Thanks.

There is not a dental clinic near near me. No dentist will work with me on a payment plan- I've looked for years.

Update:

There is no help here. I live in a small town. I was turned down for medicare. (that's how my kids see the dentist)

The dentist will not touch the tooth without doing the cleaning. I do plan on calling her and begging for help.

Update 2:

THERE IS NO HELP HERE. Nothing. And I used to wonder why half the people in this town only have half of their teeth. There are middle age toothlesss people everywhere you go. There is no help. I have NO money.

Update 3:

There is an infection. and I have already taken antibiotics for it. I have talked to more than one dentist. I understand why they don't work with poor people like me because they don't always get there money . I'm sure the infection has already gone to my bloodstream because of the heart paplitations and the doc told me I have IBS 4 years ago.

19 Answers

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  • 1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    Im sorry you just cant...you cant get the right tool and appropriate angles on it. check with social service agencies in the area and see if they have any resources that can help you.

  • 1 decade ago

    Tell us where you are and we will find someone to help you.

    No decent dentist would make you have a cleaning before pulling out an infected tooth, especially if you are short of cash.

    There are a lot of dentists out there that could help you. Let us know where you are and the people on this site can help you find a friendly one.

    You can't pull your own tooth out properly, even if you are numb. If you are talking about a molar, and if it is already broken, then it will be difficult enough with proper equipment and anaesthetic.

    Don't even attempt to pull out a molar tooth on your own!!!

    All the stories you hear of people pulling out their own teeth are usually either old wives tales or the tooth had a gum infection that made it loose already.

  • Anonymous
    5 years ago

    Infection is the only big issue, and sometimes the upper teeth connect into a sinus cavity, so the antibiotic and stitches are worth visiting a dentist. If the tooth is bothering it may already be decayed or broken and not come out in one piece, or you may have a root canal issue that will require dental attention anyways. If you remove it it is going to bleed, you will need oral pain killer and to rinse with warm saltwater probably five times a day, do not spit as this will start the bleeding again, or suck on anything, etc. and make sure it does not get infected, feel hot, swell up or ooze pus. It's too close to your brain to risk a serious infection that can turn into meningitis if you think you have a problem. Save the tooth in case you do need to visit an orthodontist, the first thing they would do is xray your mouth.

  • Sara
    Lv 6
    1 decade ago

    ACK! Sorry my mouth was having sympathy pains.

    There is such a thing as Care Credit (medical credit card/plan) you can use. Most dentists SHOULD know about it. I have to be honest with you a good pair of pliers might do the trick but I'd get someone to do it for you as I don't see how you can possibly do it on your own.

    Also be careful. A tooth infection is a HUGE deal. Back in the day many people died when the infection hit their blood stream. I know because at work we examine mummies (from all times) and often find out when the x rays come back that a tooth infection gone wrong was the cause of their death. So at the very least get some form of penicillin to take a few days prior and after you pull the tooth.

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  • Trevor
    Lv 7
    1 decade ago

    Definitely not something I'd recommend doing but in the days before modern medical practices dentists used to tie string round a tooth and the other end to a door handle then slam the door shut. They'd also do the same thing but get a donkey to pull on the string.

    If you absolutely have no option put to pull your tooth out then get someone to do it for you - ideally someone with at least basic medical knowledge. A freind who's a nurse or something.

    Pulling a tooth can cause more damage, not to mention pain and discomfort. Speak to a doctor, dentist, health authority about where you can get free or reduced cost dental care. If there's a dental school near you then try that, I know in some places they perform dental work for free whilst students study what the dentist is doing.

  • 1 decade ago

    From what i have seen in the dentist office and talked to him about, you need to break the tooth away from the gum 1st, try getting someone to help, nurse\freind or someone. Use something to get the tooth off of the gum, then use the pliers to pull the tooth out, will be very painful though!!! I have used vodka as a mouth wash when i had an absess tooth, not drink it just rinse, of course if the pain is bad enough, i think i would drink it also. :D

    Source(s): personal experience
  • 1 decade ago

    Pulling Your Own Teeth

    Even though it may sound very odd and downright compelling, a lot of people actually try to extract their own teeth. Toothache pain can be very painful and very frustrating, making you try anything to get relief. Depending on how bad the pain is, you'll be more than willing to do just about anything you can to get the pain to stop. Abscesses or really bad cavities are among the worst, as the pain never seems to let up - no matter what you do.

    In the old days, teeth were extracted by pliers, as there were no dentists around. During these times, people would get drunk on alcohol and then the teeth would be extracted. There was no such thing as anesthesia back then, so it was impossible to locally numb the pain. These days though, local anesthesia is the best way to numb a toothache before pulling the tooth. If you attempt to pull a tooth yourself, you'll feel the pain no matter what you do.

    There are situations however, in which you can pull your own teeth. Baby teeth for example, are acceptable to pull. Before you yank it out though, you should check on the age of when the tooth in question should be removed. If you wiggle the tooth around and it appears to be loose, then chances are it will come out without a problem. On the other hand, if you pull the tooth and it turns out to be an abscess, you'll end up with a real problem and your hands and you'll need to visit a dentist as soon as you can.

    Another situation in which it is acceptable to pull your own teeth is when you have a severe case of gum disease. Gum disease can cause the socket and the bone to become extremely decayed, which will result in the destruction of the tooth. If the gum disease is severe enough, the tooth will be extremely loose and will come out without a problem. In some cases, the tooth can be almost unbearable to the touch. If you have gum disease and notice a loose tooth, you should be careful when pulling it. If you don't do it properly or if you do it too soon, you could end up breaking the top of the tooth. If this happens, you'll need to go to the dentist to have the remaining portion of the tooth cut out.

    Even though a tooth may feel loose when you touch it, doesn't always mean that you can grab a pair of pliers and rip it out. Teeth are very delicate. If you try to rip a tooth out with pair of pliers and make a mistake, you should end up doing more harm than good. Putting pliers in your mouth can also lead to an infection, which would send you to the dentist. Abscesses on the other hand, should never be dealt with on your own - you'll need to go to a dentist to have him properly extract the tooth and give you some antibiotics to stop the infection.

    To be on the safe side and avoid any potential problems that could easily arise, you should always go to the dentist if you have a toothache. No matter how bad the pain may be, you should never attempt to pull the tooth yourself. Your dentist can numb the area before he pulls the tooth, so you'll feel no pain at all. He will also prescribe you some pain medicine and antibiotics as well, to help treat any infection you may have. If you attempt to pull the tooth yourself, you'll only cause more problems in the end - and end up going to a dentist anyway.

  • 1 decade ago

    There is more than 1 dentist. Find one who won't do the cleaning. I got one. I did have one that demanded that cleaning be the first order of business. And then X rays. Didn't like that

    The dentist I have now, won't take X rays cause I would rather they not. My old dentist hardly ever did xrays, only when I had a pain and he could not visibly see a reason.

    What I am saying is there ain't no one method. So talk to them. Mine also will take a payment plan. So, that is not an absolute truth.

    A molar can't come out with string.

  • 1 decade ago

    You need to call the same dentist that you saw, who charged you for an office visit, only to tell you that you need a deep root cleaning and tell them you want the tooth out, no ifs, ands or buts about it. Tell them you are in pain and they have an obligation to you, as you are her patient and she is your Doctor. There is a legal contract between Dentist and patients when they agree to treat you, which she has just by seeing you. If that doesn't work then report her to the Dental Board in your State and let her office know of your intentions to do so if your not treated. And do just that if your not seen. They will find you a dentist who will be willing to help you. There are other alternatives than "do it your self dentistry." Hope I've given you an option to research to resolve your problem. Good luck.

    Source(s): work in the dental field
  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    I took some of mine out myself before I had them all pulled but they were loose. I lost a couple front ones when I was 13, and they were my permanent teeth. I had really bad teeth all thru school, so soon as I got out of high school I went straight to a clinic and had all of them pulled out. I still don't have any teeth and that was going on 3 years ago, but it's a lot better than having bad teeth tht hurt. I don't think I look bad without teeth and at least I can eat and talk ok, so I'm really not in a hurry to spend a lot of money I don't have to get teeth and can do ok without.

  • 1 decade ago

    If you break the tooth off below the gum line you may end up needing surgery. Don't do it yourself. I can't imagine a cleaning and pulling a tooth costing over $500. Find another dentist.

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