Wiggling with the hands can introduce bacteria and dirt into the mouth, clearing the way for infection. Children aren’t exactly the cleanest creatures in the world, making this a recipe for poor dental health in addition to bad hygiene. The tongue is generally gentler than the hand. Children run a higher risk of accidentally pulling a tooth out before it’s ready when they use their fingers to pull out the tooth. Wiggling the tooth with their tongues lowers the risk because the tongue can’t grip onto the tooth in the same way that two fingers can. This way, your child will get used to the idea of a tooth coming out, and the image of a tooth pulled out with their tongue makes them less scared of blood or pain.
If any wiggling or pulling of teeth causes excessive amounts of blood, instruct the child to stop wiggling; the tooth is most likely not yet ready to be extracted, and shouldn’t be aggravated further resulting in inflammation and pain, which can also influence the development of the permanent tooth underneath.
If the socket has lost its clot, an infection could occur. However, this is rare. This condition is called dry socket (alveolar osteitis), and is often accompanied by a foul-smelling odor. Contact your dentist if you believe the clot hasn’t set appropriately.
Crowded mouth. Your existing teeth haven’t left enough room for your tooth that’s trying to move into its proper place. A dentist may be forced to remove the tooth if this is the case. Extracting a tooth may also be necessary to make enough room for teeth to align before applying orthodontic braces. Tooth decay or infection. If infection of the tooth extends all the way down to the pulp, a dentist may need to administer antibiotics or even try a root canal. If a root canal does not fix the problem nor the apical resection, a dentist may need to extract the tooth. Compromised immune system. If you are undergoing an organ transplant, chemotherapy, or heart surgery, even the threat of infection might motivate a doctor to extract a tooth. Periodontal disease. This disease is caused an infection of the tissues and bones that surround and support the teeth. If periodontal disease has infiltrated the tooth, a dentist may need to take it out.
If the socket has lost its clot, an infection could occur. This condition is called dry socket (alveolar osteitis), and is often accompanied by a foul-smelling odor. Contact your dentist if you believe the clot hasn’t set appropriately. If you want to reduce the swelling, place an icepack wrapped in a towel on the outside of the jaw near to where the tooth was removed. This should reduce the swelling and numb the pain.
Avoid spitting or rinsing forcefully. Try to avoid drinking from a straw with the first 24 hours. After 24 hours, gargle lightly with a saltwater solution made of 1/2 teaspoon salt and 8 ounces of warm water. Do not smoke or drink alcohol. Eat soft foods and liquids for the first few days. Avoid hard, solid foods that take a lot of chewing to break down. Floss and brush your teeth as usual, taking care not to floss and brush the extraction site.
Gently wiggle the tooth back and forth, from side to side. The key word here is “gentle,” but you also need to increase the movements a little bit as you wiggle the tooth. If lots of blood comes out, consider stopping the procedure. Lots of blood is usually a sign that the tooth isn’t yet ready to come out. Firmly but slowly lift the tooth up until the ligaments connecting the tooth to the gum are severed. If too much pain or blood exists, consider stopping the procedure.
