If you have a loose tooth that is definitely on its way out, you may be tempted to intervene by extracting it yourself, at home. After all, people have been tying strings to doorknobs for years, yanking out their kids’ loose teeth, so what could possibly go wrong? Your Scottsdale, AZ dentist at Waldman Dental Group wants you to understand how dangerous it is to attempt this kind of thing at home. Here’s why:

Risk of Infection

The most obvious risk is the risk of infection. The reason that an adult tooth becomes loose is often some type of infection, so when you attempt a tooth extraction at home, that infection can readily spread beyond the tooth socket from the open wound. This could even lead to sepsis, a life-threatening systemic infection.

Excessive Bleeding

Another immediate risk is excessive bleeding. Not only is this dangerous for anyone with underlying health conditions that inhibit blood clotting, but it’s traumatic to witness such copious amounts of blood flowing out of the mouth. Dentists are trained to manage bleeding during and after tooth removal, but at home, no such management is available.

Damage to Tissue

At some point, you’ll be wanting to have a dental implant or some other restoration tooth put in place of the one you lost. But yanking out your own loose tooth at home can easily damage gum tissue, making any future restorative treatment more complicated and potentially, more costly.

Damage to Adjacent Teeth

The abutting teeth can be damaged when you try a DIY tooth extraction, too. Adjacent teeth could be fractured, or their roots damaged. You could even damage the jawbone.

A dentist tooth extract in Scottsdale, AZ is relatively straightforward and certainly easier on all counts. Don’t risk your oral health. Contact us to book your appointment.