If you have a loose tooth that looks like it is about to come off, you need to go to great lengths to remove it painlessly. You can reduce the chances of pain by trying to move it as much as possible before pulling it out, numbing the area and relieving the pain you may feel following the procedure. If you can't take it off yourself, ask your dentist for help.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Loosen and Extract the Tooth
Step 1. Eat crunchy foods
In this way, you help the tooth to lose its anchorage in the gum and to detach without pain; bite into an apple, carrots, celery or other hard foods.
- It is advisable to start with a dish that is not too crunchy, to make sure it does not cause pain; start with a peach or piece of cheese and gradually move on to somewhat harder foods.
- Try not to swallow the tooth; if you feel it has come off while chewing on something, spit the morsel into the napkin and look for the tooth.
- If you swallowed it by mistake, call your doctor or dentist; Generally, it is not worrying if a child ingests a baby tooth, but it is best to consult a dentist to be sure.
Step 2. Brush your teeth and floss
Regular use of brush and floss helps to loosen the tooth and facilitates its extraction; just try not to be too energetic, as it could cause pain. Brush your teeth as usual (twice a day) to detach the moving tooth and keep the others in perfect health.
- To use dental floss, take a segment about 50 cm long and wrap it around the middle finger of both hands; hold it taut with your thumb and forefinger.
- Guide the floss between the loose tooth and the adjacent one, moving it back and forth; it also tries to wrap it around the base of the one that is waving.
- You can also move the floss up and down to scrub each side of each tooth.
- Use a wire fork for a better grip, this is a tool available in supermarkets.
Step 3. Move it
The less anchored it is to the root when you pull it, the less pain you feel. You can use your tongue or fingers to gently sway it; do not apply too much force, otherwise you could hurt yourself.
Keep moving it gently back and forth throughout the day to loosen it and prepare it for extraction
Part 2 of 3: Numb and Extract the Tooth
Step 1. Suck on some pieces of ice
Low temperatures numb the gum at the base of the tooth, controlling the pain caused by the extraction; you can continue to keep ice in your mouth even after you have removed the tooth to limit sensitivity.
- You can hold some ice in your mouth just before taking it out; in this way, you "numb" the area and the procedure should be painless.
- Suck on ice throughout the day to relieve the pain caused by the extraction.
- You can suck it for 10 minutes, 3-4 times a day.
- Take a break from time to time, otherwise ice can damage gum tissue.
Step 2. Use an oral anesthetic gel
You can numb the area with a specific benzocaine-based topical gel; this is an effective solution when you experience pain when moving the tooth. Apply a small amount to the gum before pulling out the loose tooth.
- Remember to carefully read the leaflet and the instructions for use.
- Some popular brands are: Aloclair plus gel and Oralsone.
Step 3. Grasp the tooth with sterile gauze
If you think it's loose enough to come off painlessly, use a piece of gauze to grab and twist it; when it is ready, you can turn it and take it off without difficulty and pain.
- If the movement causes pain or you seem to feel resistance when you apply a little pressure, keep swinging the tooth for a while longer; otherwise, the extraction may be too painful.
- Move it back and forth, side to side and twist it until it comes off; in this way, you should eliminate the residual adhesions that hold it together with the gum.
Step 4. Wait 24 hours before rinsing your mouth
Once the tooth is extracted, a blood clot forms in the hole and it is important that it stays in place so that the wound heals properly. Don't rinse your mouth, don't drink from a straw, and don't do anything that requires vigorous sucking or rinsing.
- Do not use dental floss or brush on the wound in the surrounding area, so as not to disturb the hole.
- You can gently rinse your mouth after brushing your teeth, but avoid moving the water forcefully.
- Stay away from extreme temperatures; eat soft, room-temperature foods for the first two days.
Part 3 of 3: Reduce Pain After Extraction
Step 1. Apply pressure to the gum until the bleeding stops
For this operation, use sterile gauze to limit pain and bleeding. If your gums hurt or bleed a little, roll up a new piece of gauze and lay it over the hole.
Continue to maintain the pressure until the blood stops flowing out, which should happen within a few minutes
Step 2. Put a wet tea bag on the wound
This remedy soothes the aching gums. Immerse the sachet in very hot water for a few minutes and squeeze it to remove excess moisture; let it cool down for a while and place it over the hole left by the tooth to counteract the pain.
You can use green, black, peppermint or chamomile tea
Step 3. Take over-the-counter pain relievers
If you feel discomfort, you can take a pain reliever such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen; read the leaflet carefully and follow the instructions regarding the dosage.
Step 4. If the tooth doesn't come out, go to the dentist
If it rocks painfully or just doesn't come off, make an appointment at the dental office. The doctor is able to extract the tooth with the help of an anesthetic, so as not to make you suffer.
