Don't Try Tooth Extractions at Home

The Internet is rife with videos of do-it-yourself tooth extractions. While they make for a prize-winning entry in contests or shows, the risks they carry are neither funny nor creative.

A loose tooth doesn't always mean it can be taken out with ease. With an abscess, the swelling around the tooth root may make the tooth loose, but it won't be taken out with a good pull. Any abscess at the base has root canal written all over it, which rarely includes tooth extraction. On top of that, a failed extraction sharply increases the risk for infection.

More importantly, a pair of pliers is ill-suited for performing a dental forceps' job, especially when it's not regularly sterilized. There's always the risk of bacteria from the pliers jumping onto the gums. Dental forceps and other instruments regularly undergo steam cleaning via an autoclave—which cleans more intensively than plain soap and water—to prevent transmission of pathogens.

Contrary to popular belief, dentists don't "pull" teeth. They rock the loose tooth back and forth to widen the socket big enough for easy removal. Usually, the dental forceps suffice, but dentists may use an elevator in some occasions to help in the procedure.