Dentists unsurprisingly say that removing your teeth using such extreme measures is not a good idea – even if your mate Dave told you it was harmless and ‘a bit of a laugh’
Dentists are warning Brits not to follow a social media trend dubbed the “doorknob tooth pull”.
The craze involves tying a string around a tooth that needs to come out, connecting the string to a door, then slamming it shut to yank out the tooth.
It is feared that Brits who cannot get an NHS dentist are turning to the dodgy DIY method to avoid forking out for expensive private dental appointments.
The eye-watering technique has famously been used in slapstick films starring The Three Stooges or by characters in kids’ comics like The Beano.
But dentist Dr Patt Murray warned it could lead to serious health issues such as pain and infection.
The medic said he was shocked to have witnessed online videos showing parents using the method to pull out their children’s milk teeth.
Dr Murray: “Although a very loose baby tooth may sometimes come out easily, any method that adds force from outside, such as a slammed door, creates risks that parents cannot control.
“The tooth might not be ready, so the root can tear instead of letting go, the string can slip and cut the gums, nearby teeth can be jolted, and in rare cases strong force can damage the bone that holds the teeth in place.”
Dr Murray, who runs the private Forever Dental practice in Ashtead, Surrey, added: “Once tissue is torn, bacteria from the mouth can enter, and if the area is not cleaned and checked, infection can set in, leading to swelling, fever and pain that is far worse than the original wobbly tooth.”
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