The dangers of pulling your own teeth out (and alternatives)
Pulling your own adult teeth out with tools such as pliers is exceedingly dangerous, and could lead to needing to go to hospital.
But, we understand that for residents of rural Northland it doesn’t always feel like there’s an option – after all, so many of our towns don’t have dentists at all. That means on top of the cost of treatment, there’s also the cost of fuel to travel to a practice.
In this article, we’re going to explain why pulling your own teeth is dangerous, and talk about some tips you can use to help with symptoms like tooth pain.
The dangers of pulling your own teeth
Adult teeth aren’t meant to be removed
Permanent teeth are called permanent for good reason – it’s all we get! When we pull our own teeth, we’re creating a gap in the mouth that could lead to other problems.
Teeth play an important role in more than just chewing, they also help us talk, give us confidence in our smile, and help keep the shape of our jaw healthy. If one or more teeth are missing, it may impact us in a few ways. It can:
Make it harder to talk properly.
Make chewing uncomfortable, leading to potential digestive problems like bloating, indigestion, heartburn, and more.
Create a misaligned bite that means we must overcompensate with other parts of the mouth, causing symptoms like jaw strain or headaches.
Lead to other adult teeth drifting into the space, causing crookedness in the mouth and exacerbating the problem of misaligned teeth.
Cause mental health problems. An American Dental Association study found that adults with problems in their mouth (such as missing teeth) feel anxiety and embarrassment at smiling, they avoid smiling, and it can even impact their ability to interview for jobs.
It increases the risk of infection
Pulling teeth creates an open wound in the mouth, potentially leaving your jaw bone and nerve exposed to the elements.
This is a big infection risk, like any open wound, and if it’s not treated carefully it could cause further problems in the mouth (which may mean more pain).
It might not actually help
We understand that the desire to pull your own teeth will often come from chronic pain in the mouth - that awful toothache that just won’t go away. But one thing to really consider is that the toothache was caused for a reason, and that reason may not be treated if you simply pull the tooth.
While toothache can be caused by a few issues, it’s common for it to be a symptom of tooth decay. Pulling the tooth may result in pain relief for a time, but the bacteria that caused the decay may still be in the mouth and able to keep damaging more teeth.
This is why dental hygiene is so important because it can treat the cause of tooth decay rather than the symptoms. We’ll talk more about quick hygiene tips below!
It can cause further damage
Adult teeth are generally quite well-fastened to the mouth. They’re rooted in the jaw bone, connected to sensitive nerves and surrounded by blood vessels. Improperly pulling an adult tooth, even a very sore one, can damage all the other parts of the mouth leading to more pain, long-term damage and, as we mentioned above, further infection.
So what are some tips for dealing with tooth pain at home?
If you’re experiencing toothache, there are some remedies you can use at home to help. But, the best way to deal with the issue is by talking to a professional – toothache can be very serious, but it’s also treatable. Unfortunately, it also tends to get worse the longer it is left. The dentist might seem expensive (we’ll talk about affording the dentist below), but leaving a problem can make that cost worse.
However, again, we respect that it’s easier said than done to visit a dentist in rural Northland, especially if you’re on a tight budget. So, there are some home remedies that could help.
For a list of advice and more information about what causes toothache, check out our article “Toothache remedies – tips for fast toothache relief”.
Fast tips for preventing oral health problems (and the need to pull teeth)
Always brush your teeth twice a day, for two minutes at a time.
Try to use toothpaste containing fluoride. While we know there’s some debate online about fluoride use, current science in NZ says it’s beneficial for your teeth. Learn more here.
Spit toothpaste out after brushing, but don’t rinse your mouth or it’ll wash all the good stuff off your teeth and prevent it from doing its work.
Don’t just brush the fronts of your teeth. Try also to brush the backs, around behind your molars, down to your gumline and also your tongue.
If you can afford dental floss and antibacterial mouthwash, try to use these regularly. It doesn’t have to be twice a day like brushing, just every so often can help at least a little bit.
Try to avoid eating too much sugary or acidic food/drink. And if you do consume them, consider rinsing your mouth with water after you’re done.
Quit smoking if you can, as smoking can have many negative impacts on the mouth. Find out more about quitting on health.govt.nz
For even more dental hygiene advice you can do at home, take a look at our article “How to clean your gums and keep them healthy”.
How to afford the dentist in Northland
OK, so let’s say you’ve done all you can at home, or the oral health problems you’re concerned about have already taken root – so you’re struggling to get them under control. That means it’s time to visit a dentist, which means being able to afford it.
If you live in Northland and are on a tight budget, you might be eligible for financial support to visit the dentist, or to get subsidised care at a hospital instead, if:
You are receiving WINZ payments.
You have a Community Services Card.
You have a low household income.
You have a disability that would prevent you from visiting a private dentist.
You have an illness where dental treatment is necessary as a part of the wider treatment.
You are a veteran and have a service-related dental injury that isn’t already covered by ACC or the Ministry of Health.
Learn more about the details of these different types of help by checking out our article, “Affording the dentist in Northland: What help is available?”
Remember: Prevention and early treatment can both cut costs
It might seem counterintuitive if you’re on a budget already, but spending money on early treatment of an oral health problem (including regular check-ups to spot problems quickly) can reduce the cost of oral surgery.
Like many health problems, issues in the mouth often get more costly to treat as they get more severe.
This is because the surgery required can become more complex, or take a longer period of time (meaning more visits to the dentist are required). So, getting in early can often save money in the long run.
Prevention is, of course, one of the best treatments. Most dental health problems are very preventable, so good oral hygiene practices can keep quite a few at bay for much longer periods of time – again, cutting those surgery costs.
Payment options at Kowhai Dental
If you’re in or around Whangārei, pop in to see us at Kowhai Dental (we’re on Maunu Road) and we can talk to you about our payment options. We have a few options and plans available for Northlanders to help anybody afford the dentist no matter their budget.
Our plans include:
Interest-free finance options exist for credit card holders as well as Gem Visa for new applicants. It can give you a year to pay off your costs without worrying about interest.
Don’t have a credit card? Talk to our reception staff about what we can offer in terms of personal payment plans to help you out.
Learn more by checking out our payment options.
Free Dental Days
Finally, each year the NZ Dental Associations teams up with Southern Cross Health Trust to offer Free Dental Days to Kiwis up and down the country.
Spots are always limited and bookings go quickly, but if you can get in quick next year you and your whānau may be able to get some treatment cost-free.
Learn more here: “Take advantage of limited free dental care in Northland”
Ready to book an appointment? Contact us today
If you’re ready to book an appointment, or you just have questions about your oral health and our services, call us at Kowhai Dental on 09 430 0707 or fill in our online form.