Need suggestions on pulling a tooth.

[Anonymous]

About 2 years ago I broke a tooth eating cereal and on Monday I went to the dentist for the first time in 11 years and she said my tooth was badly infected and I need a root canal but I can't do that, I've never had any kind of procedure done before and I have to take anxiety meds just to go to the dentist or the doctor so there's no way this is gonna happen. The only alternative I've been given is getting the tooth pulled which if it's getting pulled I'm doing it myself. Does any one have any tips or good idea to pulling the tooth?

Updates

+1 y

I can't get it done at the dentist. I've never had any kind of procedure stitches or anything. Today just thinking and talking to my friend about having this done I threw up and was shaking so bad and crying. If I do it myself I can control everything and can stop when it's hurting at the dentist they will just keep going and the thought of someone reaming on my mouth and rippin my tooth out in pieces is terrifying. I have a bad feeling about getting it done and would rather just do it myself

[meowcow]

If the tooth root is infected, the only 2 options available are root canal and or tooth extraction.

A root canal will involve drilling a hole in your tooth and removing all of the living tissue in the tooth. Then filling the hole with dental cement. You will be able to keep your tooth. I would suggest getting knocked out with drugs if you are having issues being awake and on anaesthetic. You may have a reaction to the anaesthetic when you wake up, but it would be temporary.

The other option is tooth extraction. Once a root is infected, it will spread to the other roots causing immense pain. Your front teeth have 2 roots and the molars sometimes have 3 roots.

Unfortunately, there is no way to clear the infection. The blood supply is going to the tooth pulp is too low. Any antibiotics you take will not reach the point of infection. This is why root canal or extraction are your only options.

If you choose extraction, it will have to be done by the dentist. If you pull out the tooth yourself, infected pulp will still remain inside your jaw. The dentist will clean this, seal it up and prevent further infection. If you do it yourself and the infection remains, it will spread along the jawline, potentially affecting other teeth as well.

Also, consider the hole in your mouth. Is it a front tooth? You'll look really ugly, and will need a denture or dental implant. This probably won't help with your career either if you have a gap in your face everytime you smile.

[Asker]

Its a back tooth so I've decided to just have it pulled with my wisdom teeth. I did my research and found root canals still leave behind some infection in tiny tubal canals and can cause heart issues and they've also been linked to cancer. I know this stuff happening to me is very unlikely but I had a bad feeling about the root canal and after I read that stuff and decided to get it pulled the bad feeling went away and I'm fine with it.

[Red_Arrow]

You can't pull it yourself. Even if all of it was there you don't have the tools to grip the tooth and it may need additional leverage. You will only succeed in making it worse and hurting even more.

A dentist can prescribe and anti-anxiety pill for before the procedure to put you at ease, then use s drub that will kill the pain. Or if you still can't go that way because of your fears, you can have it done while you are out under anesthetic.

[snowangle]

I have dentalphobia and only go to the dentist when I'm having a problem. That's probably why I've had two infected teeth in the last 3 years lol.

Anyways, the first time I had an infected tooth, I had to have it pulled (it was so bad they had no choice). I was lucky enough to find a dentist in my city who uses sedation, so I was asleep while he pulled it. When I woke up, I was in a lot of pain. He prescribed me Vicodin, my mom took me home, I took my pain meds, and I went to sleep. Woke up feeling all better, except the hole where my tooth used to be was all soft and gross (it was a back tooth).

It took maybe a few months for my gums to firm up again and now I have a neat little blank spot in the back of my mouth. Well, used to, haha. My tooth was pulled 3 years ago and recently my wisdom tooth came in and took its spot.

Anyways, like the others have said, I highly HIGHLY recommend you let your dentist pull it. It's much cheaper than a root canal and he can give you anxiety/pain meds.

[snowangle]

@Update: I didn't get any stitches. And it was a molar! Lol trust me, you want this to be done in professional hands. If you want to be sedated or put to sleep during the prodecure, they can do that.

Again, I have dentalphobia. Even sitting in their chair makes my heart pound. I can't even get a routine cleaning without laughing gas. Believe me, getting a tooth pulled was not even the worst thing I've been through at the dentist. It was nothing. If I can do it, you certainly can. :)

[Asker]

I really don't think I can do it. I've been having panic attacks everyday for days and have ate maybe one meal a day cause I'm so nauseated

[whattothink]

Oh good grief I would let the dentist pull it. Especially because they might need to see if there is more infection if it is that bad. I know a guy that let his tooth get infected and waited to long to have anything done. At that point it has infected his jaw and they had no choice but to cut out part of his jaw( had it wired shut forever to heal). So just imagine that and I am sure it will make having a dentist do it much easier.

[whattothink]

You do realize they can sedate you right? Where as if it's not loose you cannot cut it out yourself nor get all the infection as you won't be able to see. Which could once again lead to you losing part of your jaw or worse.

[RasmusAiken]

Explain your phobia and your control issues to your dentist or his office manager. They can give you sedation to take before your appointment and some whiffs of laughing gas while you're in the chair.

Go the route of the root canal. It worked great for me and I've had dental cleanings done that were worse.

[Cobalt]

The dentist will pull the tooth if that's your preference. But a root canal isn't that bad, I had one and not only did I not have any pain after the procedure, but the recurring infections and pain that were happening went away. So it was win/win. You may be able to look into a dentist near you that does something like anesthesia for dental work. Like when they offer to put you under for wisdom teeth.

[stubbsy]

You will never succeed in pulling it yourself, and the pain would be awesome, so brave it , have a pain relief injection, your be done in 2 minutes, but seriously, you will never do it yourself,x

[CrazynKinky]

Your an idiot. They can put you completely under for a tooth pulling but doing it yourself moronic

[CrazynKinky]

You realize it's not just one good yank and it's over right. Being someone that has had a tooth pulled dentist way better the noise alone is enough to freak you out you don't feel the pain. Don't be a child it's quick. The worst part is the sound and dentists will stop so you can relax.

[Asker]

I know the sound is the worst part and that's why I throw up going to the dentist also the numbing stuff doesn't work for me so therefore I'll feel everything and I can't allow that to happen and not be in control of the situation, I don't trust people to do my piercings so why would I trust anyone to do this to me especially when I have issues going in just for a cleaning

[CrazynKinky]

There are stronger drugs. Tell your dentist you want to be put out completely. You won't know what's going on. But you want to do it yourself get a pair of pliers grab the tooth and twist to break it off. Your infections with get worse and you will cause damage. But clearly your teeth aren't very important to you

[Anonymous]

Are you in pain?

"if it's getting pulled I'm doing it myself."

Do you know what you are doing?

[Asker]

I'm in terrible pain and I sorta know what I'm doing. I can't just go have it pulled and the root canal is in no way shape or form happening. I just need some relief

[Opinion Owner]

Why can't you have a dentist pull it? You wouldn't remove your own appendix, why remove your own tooth?