Should You Try to Extract Your Own Teeth?

It may seem extreme and very painful, but some actually do attempt to pull out their own teeth. Toothache pain can be very frustrating and very distressing and if it lasts for a while it may cause some people to try almost anything to find some relief. If the pain is severe enough you may be willing to do whatever it takes. Sometimes abscesses and severe cavities may cause excruciating pain that never seems to stop regardless of what steps you may take to ease the pain.
Historically, teeth were extracted with the use of pliers because there were no dentists at the time. In an attempt to numb the pain, the person whose tooth was about to be pulled would drink generous amounts of alcohol prior to the extraction. It was not possible to numb the area where the tooth was to be pulled because anesthesia had not been invented. Today, local anesthesia is available to numb the area prior to extracting a tooth. Keep in mind, though, that regardless of what steps you take to numb the pain, if you attempt to extract your own tooth you will still be in pain.
There are, however, some circumstances in which you can extract your own teeth. For example, it is acceptable to remove baby teeth. It is advisable to determine the age at which the teeth should come out prior to pulling it, though. Also, it you are able to move the tooth back and forth easily, it may be loose enough for you to pull it out yourself without incident. Be advised that if the tooth you extract is abscessed, you will need to visit a dentist immediately as you could have complications such as an increased risk of infection. In this case, it may be best to have it extracted by a professional.
If you suffer from severe gum disease, it may be acceptable to extract your own teeth. Gum disease can destroy your teeth by decaying your jaw bone and gums. If the gum disease is very advanced, the tooth will be quite loose and you may be able to remove it without a problem. Sometimes, though, it can be too painful to even touch the tooth. If you do attempt to remove the offending tooth yourself, it is advisable to be very careful when doing so otherwise you may break part of the tooth off. If you break the tooth you will have to see a dentist to have the rest of the tooth removed.
Even if you have tooth that feels loose, it is not recommended to simply grab some pliers and pull it out. Teeth can be quite delicate and using tools to remove one can cause more harm than good if it is not done properly. Also, placing pliers in your mouth may lead to a serious infection which means you would have to visit a dentist to have the infection treated. If you have an abscess it is best to have it professionally treated. A dentist may extract it and give you antibiotics - an abscess is an infection of the root of the tooth so antibiotics are necessary to prevent further problems.
If you have a toothache or suspect a damaged tooth, it is probably best to see your dentist. Even if your tooth is causing you severe pain, it is not advisable to attempt to extract it yourself. Your dentist will be able to assess your situation and can determine which course of action is best for you. If an extraction is required, the dentist will numb the area first so you won't feel any pain while he extracts it. He/she will give you a prescription for antibiotics and a pain reliever as well.
I don't advocate extracting your own teeth as it may cause further problems and complications; inevitably requiring a dentist, so it is best to have it done professionally right from the start.