• Sometimes a stubborn baby tooth needs a little help coming out. You can help it along by pulling it out, but it's important to know when and how to pull it out to avoid injury or pain. And make sure you know what to do in case of any complications that might arise.
  
  

When to Pull

• Just as important as how to pull out a baby tooth is when to pull it out. A tooth that is pulled out before it is ready hurts more and might involve a lot of bleeding. When your child first tells you his tooth is loose, tell him to wiggle it with his tongue to help move the process along. Teeth will normally fall out on their own, but if it's been taking a long time or you are afraid your child might accidentally swallow the tooth, you can try pulling it. To tell if your child's tooth is ready, take a clean piece of gauze and try wiggling the tooth. It should feel very loose. It might be hanging by a piece of gum or feel like it's almost going to fall out.
  
  

How to Pull

• Try encouraging your child to pull the tooth herself. She will be able to know if it's ready to come out by how much it hurts: It should not hurt to pull it out. You can try pulling it out if she would like you to do it or if she's too scared to do it herself. After washing your hands, take a clean piece of gauze and take a firm hold of the child's tooth. Pull the tooth out quickly but gently. Then hold the gauze over the gums where the tooth was pulled, and apply gentle pressure to stop any bleeding.
  
  

Dealing with Complications

• Most complications occur when a baby tooth is pulled out at the wrong time. After pulling, always check for tooth fragments left in the gums. These can cause problems when your child's permanent tooth comes in. Another complication is bleeding, but this should go away easily when some pressure is applied to the gums. Finally, an infection could develop. In the case of any type of complication, see your child's dentist.