how do I pull out a tooth?

Question

I'm backpacking and in a rather remote bit of Sumatra with a laptop and a basic toolkit (pliers, screwdrivers, etc),and have a tooth abcess. Obvously it needs to come out;I think molars have two roots which I could get the screwdriver under, to lever-is this right?Are the roots front to back, or side to side, so I know where to 'dig'?

Answer 1

Before you go pulling teeth out with screw drivers and pliers think about how you're going to disinfect these tools... your mouth is the dirtiest thing in your body as is do you really want to chance an infection because you couldn't wait for a real dentist?... or AT LEAST until you found some alcohol to disinfect the tools and make you a little numb to the pain you'll be feeling...

Answer 2

Don't pull it. The abscess will eventually produce a white spot (like the head of a pimple) somewhere in the area of the affected tooth. Applying heat and holding some hydrogen peroxide in the area of the tooth for a minute or two will bring it to the surface more quickly. When it does, use something sharp to cut it open (assuming it doesn't burst on its own) and let it drain, being careful to swallow as little of the drainage as possible. Rinse your mouth thoroughly and pack the area with a clean piece of cloth. As it re-fills, which it will, gently but firmly push on the swollen area to drain it as needed. If you have mouthwash or some alcoholic beverage, rinse with it regularly.

While unpleasant and hardly recomended under normal circumstances, this will aleviate the pain until you can get to a dentist who might be able to save the tooth.

If you are intent on pulling a tooth, use the pliers. Wrap the jaws in cloth (to prevent slippage) and use just enough pressure to maintain a solid grip as low on the tooth as possible. If you think an abscess is bad, it's nothing like a shattered tooth with an exposed nerve. Lift the tooth straight up with a slight twisting motion, using a finger, piece of wood, etc. for leverage. Again, avoid swallowing until you have rinsed your mouth thoroughly and repeatedly. Gently pack the hole with a clean piece of cloth and keep it in place for an hour or so.

Again, I am not recomending these procedures and am only offering them, based on similar personal experience, for informational purposes.

Answer 3

My husband pulled out his own tooth with a pliers. (Don't ask - I think he's crazy) I believe the roots go front to back. An abcess is an infection though . . . be very careful it can get into your bloodstream. You need something to fight the infection too. And I'd sterilize those tools over an open flame if you don't have anything else. Also - if youre a tea drinker and have teabags in your backpack, you can suck on one to draw out the infection.

Answer 4

you really really really shouldnt pull your own tooth out! Especially with those tools!! Your definitely goin to get an infection whether theyr sterilised or not. Molars have probably got 2 or 3 roots. Its goin to hurt like hell if you dont calm the abcess down with antibiotics first. The tooth is in bone remember. Its hard enough for a dentist to extract back teeth!

Good luck you crazy fool!

Answer 5

I wouldnt do that if I was you.
First of all the tools you have are not ideal and suitable for extracting a tooth. especially a molar.
secondly you will damage your gums and cause further pain to gum tissue.
the tools are not sterilsed.
you may loose alot of blood and will need treatment.

you need to have an x-ray to show the exact way your root is growing. sometimes they join together at the bottom, so if you just go and yank it out, it probably wont come out and you will only cause further damge and extreme pain

you will 110% need a lcal aneasthetic.

oh....lastly take my advice. I am a dentist.
please try to wait till you can find soemone to help you. you dont want to bleed to death in the middle of nowhere and cause further damge.

Answer 6

you could use the pliers to pull the tooth out but that might be a problem because your tools may not be sterile. You can probably get a greater infection from that. I'd say that you need to seek some medical help and try to get to the nearest village or something and find a doctor. Otherwise, I guess you're doomed.

Answer 7

Tie a string around your tooth, tie the string around the doorknob on an open door, and then slam the door shut.
I've seen it done.

Maybe the door aspect will be hard to come by if you're in the bush... you may have to go with your screwdriver idea.

Answer 8

but if you have an abcess then normally back home you would need to get the abcess down before a dentist will touch youe tooth so you cant really do a lot except if you have salt then to gargle with salt water

Answer 9

if i was you I'd do anything to find a dentist and get then to pull it, after all what happens if you get an infection after you've pulled it, could end up worse off !! failing that find a nice Sumatra tribe and get high on what ever they get high on and get the local witch doctor to do the honour ! GOOD LUCK your going to need it.

Answer 10

If it's abcessed, you're going to need antibiotics ASAP to stop the infection from spreading.