What is the best way to pull a baby tooth? our son has a baby tooth that just won't seem to come out. it's gray and clearly dead, and we've tried twisting it, but it seems surprisingly firmly in place. what is the best to to ensure that he loses this toot

The : The situation you describe may be due to incomplete resorption of the root of the baby tooth. The posterior teeth (molars) have multiple roots and there are situations when the permanent teeth do not come in properly and only cause partial resorption of the roots causing the baby tooth to be partially mobile. I recommend that you see your pediatric dentist for an evaluation because you may break off the tooth and leave part of the root behind which could cause problems.

It : It is your son's tooth and long ago I am assured we all remember our parents pulling out our baby teeth and probably nothing really bad happened. I had a patient where none of the baby teeth fell out on their own and the permanent teeth came up behind the baby tooth. I sent him to an oral surgeon and he took care of the problem. I would advise you to see your dentist and if he feels it needs to come out, let a professional do this. You do not want to screw up his permanent tooth. If the the tooth is firmly in place, let the dentist decide what to do here. Your expertise is in parenting....Your dentist's expertise is in teeth. Let him be the judge here!

Unless : Unless the tooth is very loose, the best way is to see a dentist. It is possible that the roots have fused to the bone and any attempt at home could cause some serious damage.

Get help: If a tooth is "firm", it's not ready to come out. The root has not yet dissolved away. Dark color may be due to traumatic damage to pulp, and tooth may still be vital. Please have your dentist examine your son, take x-ray if necessary, and advise you as to timing.