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My dog's tooth is hanging out. Can I safely pull it at home?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Rat Terrier | Female | spayed

Ok So my dog is 10 years old and her front tooth is hanging out can I pull it out without causing damage

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By David Elbeze, DVM, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Published on March 10th, 2016

It depends how loose it is, if it is very loose you can try, but it might be painful. if it's not loose enough she will need to be sedated for that, you will need to take her to the vet.

39Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Destini R. Holloway, DVM
Veterinarian
Well that depends. If it is hanging chances are it will come out on its own anyway. I would discourage pulling it out because this can yank on vessels that may be attached to the tissue the tooth is still hanging on to. This does have the potential to cause some bleeding.

If the tooth is this mobile I would be more concerned about advanced dental disease or a fracture of the tooth that can lead to further complications in the mouth. I would encourage you to at least have a vet take at look at the mouth to see if it can be removed safely without causing major bleeding, and also to address any advanced dental disease issues in the mouth itself. The mouth is a gateway to causing problems and malfunction with other organs such as the heart and kidney especially and if there is disease in the mouth it affects the rest of the body in a negative way. It is proven that if a pet has a healthy mouth and good oral hygiene then this will increase the lifespan of the pet. Older dogs can get dental cleanings just like younger dogs and even though they will have a slower recovery (perhaps 1-2 days longer to get back to normal energy level), unless there is underlying disease to warrant them a poor surgical candidate, many older dogs still go through with dental procedures because advanced dental disease is that much of a health issue that having this done, with precautions mind you (selective meds for older pets), is a good option for a lot of pets to ensure they lead a long healthy life with a clean mouth.
29Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Angel Alvarado, LVT
Licensed Veterinary Technician
Removing it at home may cause it to fracture leaving the root in the gum to create complications. Chances are likely there is more periodontal disease that should be addressed by your veterinarian. A dental exam, dental xrays and a thorough cleaning are all recommended.
12Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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If she has a tooth hanging out, it's not necessarily an emergency, but I would recommend taking her to vet in the morning. If it's a baby tooth, it is usually not a problem since they will fall out eventually. If it's an adult tooth that is hanging, she will likely need to be put under anesthesia to have it extracted as these broken adult teeth are very painful and prone to infection.

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Is it safe to pull my dog's loose tooth out at home myself?

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Dog fight, tooth fell out, another loose. Vets closed. What to do?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! If the tooth is loose enough and your dog will let you, you can pull it out. If it won’t come out or he won’t left you, just leave it alone until tomorrow. Make an appointment with your vet tomorrow to make sure no root remains. If he wants to eat tonight, he can but I wouldn’t feed him in the morning in case the vet needs to sedate him for an oral exam. Water is ok to give. Do not give any medications either, your vet may prescribe something tomorrow. Good luck and kisses to Rocky!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

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