Daily Question is excerpted from the JustAnswer archives and features information provided from an expert on JustAnswer.
Q: My 11-year-old has a loose tooth that is very painful. I saw it’s a molar that’s basically out in front, but held on tightly at the back edge of the tooth. I thought about pulling it, but when I touched it she winced in pain. And she’s usually very tolerant of pain. Is it safe to just pull it?
Teeth in transition. (Photo: Flickr/AnneCN)
A: Assuming it’s as loose as you say, the only risk of pulling it yourself would be the pain it would inflict. So, you have several choices:
- Just pull it, regardless of the consequences (pain and resentment);
- Apply a topical anesthetic product, available for purchase over the counter at your local pharmacy (e.g. Anbesol, Zilactin), wait a minute or two for it to work, and then remove the tooth;
- Use the topical anesthetic product for pain control until the tooth falls out on its own.
You’ll need to go with your gut on which of these option is most acceptable.
– Answer from Mark Bornfeld, DDS, dentist and expert on JustAnswer.
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