Here are a few tricks to help your child pull out the loose tooth easily:
- Rub some oral Analgesic - sometimes kids become fearful about their loose tooth, especially if it’s their first experience. If your child isn’t able to pull his own tooth, don’t be afraid to offer assistance. Start by rubbing some oral analgesic on the region surrounding the tooth. Oral analgesics are readily available at any drug store and don’t require a prescription. Give the analgesic a few minutes to numb the area. You can also opt to give your child a dose of pain medication, particularly if he is feeling anxious about the process.
- Wiggling the tooth with the tongue - most kids help their teeth fall out painlessly by pressing their tongues against the loose teeth or rocking the teeth back and forth with their fingers. Encourage your child to use these tactics to work loose teeth on their own, which most kids are happy to do. If your child is not ready for this fun, take some gauze or a clean tissue, and wiggle the tooth back and forth to determine if it’s ready to come out. A tooth that is ready will be able to move around freely. If it offers little resistance, pull gently. If you have to yank hard, leave the tooth in place and try again in a few days.
- Move the tooth out further with the help of finger - use the gentle use of your clean finger to move the loose tooth outward if it doesn’t come out naturally through wiggling. However, do not force to pull out the tooth.
- Give your child some crunchy food - biting on crunchy food can make the loose tooth looser and chewing will make it naturally come out. However, make sure the child’s gum is not hurt. Apples or pears can be a good choice.
- Visit a dentist - In some instances, a tooth will linger for a few weeks, which can be frustrating or even a hassle, as it can make it difficult for a child to eat or brush his teeth. You must decide if the tooth is ready to fall out. If it’s still firmly rooted, leave it in place, as pulling it can be quite painful. If it’s hanging by a thread, you may be able to help your child remove it.
Aftercare treatment for pulled out tooth and gums:
- Offer Distraction from Pain and Bleeding - once you’ve pulled out the tooth, it’s not uncommon for there to be a little blood in the original tooth spot. Apply pressure to the region with a clean gauze pad to help the bleeding stop more quickly. Focus on how exciting it is that your child lost their tooth to ease their stress.
- Examine Gums for Baby Tooth Fragments - after the bleeding has stopped, check the gums for baby tooth fragments. Most of the time, there won’t be any fragments. You may even be able to see the adult tooth poking through the gums. If there are tooth fragments left behind, don’t attempt to remove them on your own. Instead, make an appointment with the dentist. Tooth fragments may become embedded in the gums, which can be painful and lead to further dental problems.
- Remain Vigilant for Gum Infections - pulling a tooth may cause a small tear in the gum. Any time there is an opening in the body, there is a risk of infection. Although the chance of infection is minor, keep an eye on your child over the next week following a tooth pull. If your child complains of pain or there is redness in the gum area, take him to see the dentist.
- Once you’ve pulled the tooth, it’s not uncommon for there to be a little blood in the original tooth spot. Apply pressure to the region with a clean gauze pad to help the bleeding stop more quickly. Focus on how exciting it is that your child lost his tooth and that the tooth fairy will be paying a visit in the near future to distract him from the pain and blood.
- After the bleeding has stopped, check the gums for baby tooth fragments. Most of the time, there won’t be any fragments. You may even be able to see the adult tooth poking through the gums. If there are tooth fragments left behind, don’t attempt to remove them on your own. Instead, make an appointment with the dentist. Tooth fragments may become embedded in the gums, which can be painful and lead to further dental problems.
- Pulling a tooth may cause a small tear in the gum. Any time there is an opening in the body, there is risk of infection. Although the chance of infection is very low, keep an eye on your child over the next week following a tooth pull. If your child complains of pain or there is redness in the gum area, take him to see the dentist.