Teeth pulling

by lora
(Manhattan)

I have an Autistic, 8 year old little guy that has pulled two of his grown in permanent teeth. We have tried Chewy Tubes, and giving him chewing gum to keep his jaw moving and finger out of his mouth.

What seems to happen is that every time he is alone for any given reason i.e- in his room at home, in the bathroom at school, bus.. He takes advantage of the unsupervised time and, yanks at his tooth.

I was hoping someone can share any suggestions on what else we can do to stop this kind of behavior.

Comments for Teeth pulling

Average Rating

Click here to add your own comments

Sep 09, 2018
Rating

Help
by: Anonymous

I am a 20 yr old woman, I have had problems with my teeth since I can remember. When I was about 6 or 7 I pulled out one of my baby teeth, it wasn't wobbly, i wasn't in pain.. I did it simply because I wanted too. It felt good. But it was my front middle tooth on the bottom jaw.. it wasn't ready to come out so the adult tooth took a year to come through. When it did, it had no room. I had an adult tooth grow in the middle of my mouth from what I did.

The only way I can describe it is that my teeth feel itchy. Like on the inside. Under the tooth, in the gum. The only way to itch them is to remove my teeth.

Luckily I haven't removed anymore teeth, (although the dentist removed the adult in the middle of my mouth)

Whenever I touch my teeth I have to wiggle and pull at them.. I get so hard to stay away. But I keep wanting to get them out..

I'm not sure why I feel this way, maybe it's my childhood PTSD. Maybe I'm on the spectrum like I have been told by friends and family. No matter what, I'm scared. Scared because I domt want to lose my teeth, and scared because what am I going to do when they are gone.

Aug 18, 2018
Rating

Teeth pulling disorder
by: Anonymous Dentist

I am licensed professional that have personally witnessed adult & children patients pull their adult & baby teeth bec of anxiety reasons, perhaps side effects of Cymbalta, Concerta, & other major antidepressants.

I have this middle-aged patient who's pulled her teeth, she pulled her newly overdone fake lashes & walk around the office with half bald lashes with no qualms about it. She would pull her temporary crowns constantly for attention or perhaps anxiety. She picks on her skin on the same spot. She has tattooed eyebrows, sure signs of trichotellomania.

I have a patient who peels her skin off her fingers, 10 mins. later, there's a heaping pile of dead skin all over the floor.

What's the treatment? See a psychiatrist, talk out your anxieties & adjust medications. I would also have a doctor check for malabsorption syndrome, anemia, thalassemia.

Sep 18, 2016
Rating

Hope?
by: Anonymous

Wow. I came here because I had a strange memory from childhood. I don't remember much of it, there were problems, but I remember feeling weird about teeth.

On one hand I remember not being sent to a dentist after a tooth was very bad but not falling out (I was at least 11 and it was still there). I can't remember why, but it was not completely pulled and had broken, and I ended up pulling out the pieces with tweezers. This ties in, bear with me.

I also remember though maybe earlier that I was bothered by a tooth and I pried it out with a dime. This is strange because as a smaller child I was afraid of losing my teeth, but I guess by then I had changed.

As an adult after having wisdom teeth with complications removed I had pieces of tooth surface in my gums and again just pulled them out.

I had a stressful childhood and have been diagnosed in childhood with a variety of issues basically in the same system as others discuss here.

I did dream that my adult teeth would become loose and I think have some anxiety that it was so and kept pushing to see. But it came under some stability.

I don't know why I pried my teeth out when I was a child, other than they bothered me when they became loose and I was a very unhappy child I suppose in a way. Or rather I was happy and loving of everything but myself.

Anyway, my point despite this sour tone to all the parents worried is this: Actually I'm over 35 now. I have a decent job and life. I've had some issues but I work to be a better person.

I pried my teeth out.

But... it got better?

Dec 15, 2015
Rating

Worried about my 10 year old
by: Worried Mum

My son is 10 and has ripped a couple of teeth out, he hasn't been diagnosed with anything although I am fighting to have him assessed for Autism/Aspergers at the moment.

He was complaining of toothache tonight and went to his room for about an hour, then came downstairs apologizing to me then showed me his tooth in his hand. It wasn't wobbly at all, he got really upset about how it felt strange because he had a gap! He was in pain and his logic was to remove the tooth to remove the pain!

He's done it in the past when he was about 5/6 years old and I told him he could really damage his mouth and he hasn't done it since until tonight.. My question is.

Should I bring this up with the doctors to help push his assessments?

Dec 13, 2015
Rating

Lucas 22
by: Anonymous

I have been trying to pull my teeth out for about 4 years now. I don't think I have ADHD but i just think it would give character to my smile. i think it might be with my sensitive personality. if i pull my tooth out people might see my smile and just laugh and say that guys cool cause hes got missing teeth.

Nov 30, 2015
Rating

Teeth picking and pulling
by: Anonymous

My boyfriend is 28 and has a huge problem with picking and pulling his teeth. He has very bad ADHD and has been off of his medicine for a few years.

When he stopped taking his medicine a few years ago he bought teeth picking kits because he insisted he had cavities he needed to pick out. He constantly had one of these kits around and was pulling out alarming amounts of tooth.

He now has only like 2 back molars, he picked out at least 4 of them and picked 2 of his front teeth so bad all the way down to the root.

I decided to start looking into the teeth picking and I am seeing a lot of links to adhd and adhd medicine.

Very interesting. Not looking for answers per say, but wanted to share his story.

Jul 21, 2015
Rating

I don't know what to do
by: Anonymous

My daughter just turned 9 last month. In the past 2 weeks, she has pulled out 4 teeth. I'm fairly certain they are all baby teeth, but I know 2 of the 4 were not lose at all - and both of those she pulled out in one day (today).

Last night her father and I were fighting while she slept and today marks the first day of her being grounded for stealing candy from the kitchen cupboards after I told her not to touch it. She isn't autistic, or diagnosed with any other disorders but I can't ignore this red flag.

I don't know what to do.

Jun 13, 2015
Rating

Electro-magnetic sensitivity
by: Anonymous

Hi!

I came across this conversation somewhat accidentally...My heart and admiration goes out to all of you.

I am lightly electro-sensitive and feel discomfort first in my teeth if I spend too much time working on my laptop, am in a house with wifi, or am talking on a portable phone too long. I wondered if your children may be experiencing this and find the only solution they can to stop the disturbance.

It might be interesting to find a very electro-sensitive person in your community and ask them to visit your child's environment; home, school, daycare...

Unfortunately, few dentists or doctors recognize electro-sensitivity as a problem.

Perhaps you can verify electro-magnetic wave sources in your environment. Wifi, cell phones, portable phones, cell towers, police station, smart meters, microwave ovens...am I forgetting any?

Good luck and much love and courage to all of you.

Jun 06, 2015
Rating

teeth pulling
by: Anonymous

My daughter is 12 and has severe autism. She has now pulled 5 permanent teeth. It usually happens when she is supposed to be sleeping at night or when she is upset. One she pulled out at school.

They are going fast, all 5 have been pulled out in about a months time. I am so upset by this and hope to find a way to stop it while she still has teeth left.

May 03, 2015
Rating

It started again
by: Anonymous

My son has been diagnosed with ADHD. The teeth pulling started last summer when he was 8. He ran in the kitchen told me his tooth fell out, I shared his excitement told him to make sure he put it under his pillow for the fairy. (This was not his first tooth to fall out)

In the course of 2 weeks 4 teeth had (fallen) out! I was mortified!! I said they didn't fall out! You have no loose teeth?! Why are u pulling them out? He says he just feels like it.

I explained to him that this is not the process and to stop. I noticed that he is ripping them out because there is so much of his gum left on the tooth! After having this discussion with him and 4 -5 teeth later, it stopped.

But here we are again almost a year later and I go to tuck him into sleep and there is blood everywhere, his tooth is on the floor.... He was on meds for the ADHD, but my husband and I found that we didnt like the side affects and would work closely and adamantly with him on his school work, which he has difficulty with. But he hasn't been on meds in about a year.

I didn't go to the dentist or doctor the first time because I thought it was a phase, but reading all the post here, I see it's much more than that and I need to seek help for him.

I'm so relieved I'm not the only one who was I tears about this.

Nov 25, 2014
Rating

After Remeron
by: Heidi

My 10 year son who has ADHD, Anxiety, SPD and minor depression was put on a new medicine last Thursday.

At midnight on Sunday night, he pulled out a tooth that wasn't even loose. My husband and I were horrified. He went to school the next day and I got a call from the teacher at 11:30 that he had pulled out another one!

We picked him up from school, called his doctor, and stopped the Remeron (new med. 7.5 mgs) immediately. She is now putting him on Fluvoxomine. I am so worried that now that this behavior has been triggered that he will continue to do it.

I am heartbroken to hear about all of these children struggling with this. Any advice appreciated.

Nov 18, 2014
Rating

Tooth pulling
by: Anonymous

My Grandson is 13 years old and has just started pulling teeth. He has Pervasive Developmental Disorder, OCD and anxiety and he is on medication for these disorders.

We are not sure if this latest compulsion is the Anxiety or the OCD as these are connected.

Jul 16, 2014
Rating

shocked that I was not warned to watch for teeth pulling
by: Hannajo

I am shocked and sad to hear how many children are self destructive. My 11 year old Autistic and ADHD little girl has been pulling out her hair for years. I can't believe she has resorted to pulling out her teeth, hoping I wouldn't notice.

No medication or goal setting seems to keep her from picking, pulling, scratching or chewing on herself. I don't understand it and just feel like crying.

My oldest daughter told me to Google "can kids pull out teeth before they are ready to come out".

Now I am here reading all the comments. I need to let this sink in. :(

Jun 15, 2014
Rating

Adult Teeth Pulling
by: Lisa

My daughter is nine years old. Autism, ADHD, Mood Disorder. Skin picking, hair, eyebrow, and recently pulled out an adult tooth in the restroom. This is a behavior that she focuses on when alone or in her room at night.

I have received no help from her dentist, doctor or psych. A nasty self injurious behavior that I am so very concerned about.

Very glad I found this web site.

Jun 13, 2014
Rating

Omg
by: Jenni

Saddens me to find out my child isn't the only one doing this. She has 4 baby teeth pulled out. Couldn't believe it when the dentist told me why it had happened. Her teeth and gums are perfect.

She has had behaviour problems for as long as I can remember and often pulls out her eyelashes and eyebrows. No one seems to want to help. We have had visits from doctors, health visitors, family steps and sur start.

She got thrown out of her nursery because they said she couldn't cope. All I hear from the professionals is "she will grow out of it".

I am a childcare practitioner myself and have 5 other children who don't display any behavioural difficulties.

It is so frustrating :-(

Mar 28, 2014
Rating

Response to Concerta post
by: Anonymous

I have been dealing with this for years and have posted a few times. Although Concerta may be a link for some, information is scarce.

My son is now 10, and with the exception of a recent baby tooth extraction, he has not pulled a tooth since June. That was his 7th permanent tooth.

My advice, get a good caring dentist and doctor. Record daily issues, time of pulling, day (month, day, year, and day of week) also record which tooth, and where he/she is when it happens. I cannot stress enough the severity of this behavior. I will be posting more information soon.

Until them, may God bless you all.

Mar 28, 2014
Rating

Concerta/tooth pulling linked?
by: Anonymous

My grandson, who is 10, was diagnosed with Pervasive Developmental Disorder when he first entered school. His treatment plan has included a variety of meds to help him deal with anxiety/anger/frustration issues.

At his last psychiatric check up, within the last two months, Concerta was added to the other meds he is taking.

Tuesday, of this week, he pulled a permanent tooth at school. This was a first for him--and for all of us, as well. When researching the permanent teeth pulling, I noted in one of the other comments on this website, that Concerta was listed as a possible connection to other children who were pulling permanent teeth.

I just wanted to pass info along to any one else, who may be trying to get an answer for their child.

Sep 27, 2013
Rating

6 year old pulls too!
by: Angela

I have been having the same problem with my 6 year old daughter. She has pulled out 4 teeth in two weeks me every chance she gets she messes with the teeth in her mouth.

She was diagnosed three years ago with Trich( pulling and eating her hair), the doctor says she has an anxiety problem and first it was hair, then nail biting and now tooth pulling.

I wish I could help but the doc told me she will need meds.

Apr 21, 2013
Rating

Re: Kerry
by: Anonymous

Please read the prior comments. I posted one on February 23 (I think). It may help.

Apr 21, 2013
Rating

Teeth pulling in Autistic children
by: Kerry

My 4 year old has just pulled out one of his baby teeth. He likes to get the towel threads between his teeth and pull. I'm worried that he will pull them all out, he's very fascinated with the hole that it's left.

Does anyone know whether this affects the second teeth, I'm pretty sure it does - with regards to their position etc...

Has anyone had success in stopping this at a young age? He has Autism..

Mar 19, 2013
Rating

teeth pulling
by: Anonymous

My 9 year old daughter with autism pulled out a permanent tooth last night. I was so upset! I am glad to read though that I am not the only one that has gone thru this. I have never heard of this happening before.

Others that have gone thru this, please post any helpful suggestions. I am desperate as I don't want her to remove any more. I didn't bother with any treatments to try to put the tooth back, as I know that she would not have tolerated it.

Feb 25, 2013
Rating

Possible help here
by: Anonymous

I posted here a while ago. My son is now 9 years old. He is without 6 or 7 permanent teeth now.

We have found a possible trigger/solution. We put our son, who is autistic, on a gluten free diet. He has stopped pulling his teeth now.

We had an additional allergy test run on him. It was a delayed reaction patch test that showed us that he is allergic to wheat and rye. It can take up to 6 months to clear the effects of gluten from the body but it might help.

In addition, the neurologist told me that the teeth pulling could be a form of trich....

Feb 25, 2013
Rating

And the Dentist Thought I was Crazy!
by: Anonymous

I recently called and made an appointment to verify if my son, 9 years old, had pulled one of his permanent teeth out. They said, "in no way he could have done that without trauma."

He has only been diagnosed with ADHD, Anxiety, and Trichotillomania. I was just researching of others and info that would help me with this. He also chews power cords. Yes, power cords...and my cords to my headphones.

I did purchase a chewlery item and waiting for it to arrive. I sure hope it helps!

Also, I am very frustrated with the doctors because I don't feel like they are seeing what I am seeing. I hope that makes sense. Thank you all for being here, I feel better knowing I am not the only one who has this problem with their children.

Oct 24, 2012
Rating

Update
by: Jennie

I made my original comments May 18, 2011 regarding my son obsessively pulling his teeth.

My son is 11 now, almost 12 and was finally diagnosed a few months ago with PDD which is on the Autism spectrum. I am thrilled to say that we haven't had a teeth pulling issue for probably about a year now.

BUT, he chews the skin on his knuckles now to the point that he has calluses on all of his fingers. We are working with a therapist (whom was not shocked in the least bit by the teeth pulling)now and can say that we have actually made tremendous progress with stopping the finger chewing behavior. He has actually stopped all together as of this week, Hopefully this will continue!

Good luck to all of you! These kids sure keep you busy!

Oct 24, 2012
Rating

Ongoing issue
by: Anonymous

As I have posted before, my son has been pulling or should I say ripping out his permanent teeth. We thought recently that it was over with because he had gone three months without taking any out. Unfortunately, he pulled another one last night.

On Monday we had seen UNC Chapel Hill School of Dentistry about this issue and I would have thought they would have something more to offer as a reason, but nothing but bad news. I understand your concerns and am still trying to find the answers myself. Hang in there.

In addition, if your child is on medications are any of them abilify, daytrana, or concerta? If so did the teeth pulling start before or after?

Oct 22, 2012
Rating

Don't reward it like I did!
by: Anonymous

My son is 10 years old. He is autistic but has speech - just not great on comprehension.

He lost a baby tooth and all the "tooth fairy" had was a 10 dollar bill. The next week another baby tooth came out and he got a 5 dollar bill.

When the teeth began to grow back (about halfway) he pulled them out and when asked why he said he wanted to get money from the tooth fairy. The teeth were not loose at all and each extraction took only 5 minutes. He seemed to suffer no pain. I can't help but wonder if the pressure of the teeth coming in contributed. They seemed a little crowded.

It is both heart-breaking and horrifying. A permanent tooth can be saved in the first hour of pulling with emergency dental techniques - but he would not have tolerated it - they are splinted to nearby teeth.

Sep 09, 2012
Rating

What is a chewy toy?
by: Anonymous

My son is 8 years old and also has autism - he has wiggled two teeth loose and pulled them, but today he just pulled HALF a tooth out and it wasn't loose. He still has the other half in and I think it's a baby tooth(i hope).

A lot of people are mentioning a chewy toy? What is it and where can you can them? We've got to do something!!

Apr 27, 2012
Rating

My 8 year old
by: Desperate for Answers

I have been searching for help on this topic too. My 8 year old has Autism with comorbid subdisorders and is currently minus 3 permanent teeth.

Has anyone gotten any new information? He is on medications too maybe that factors in.

Jenny

May 18, 2011
Rating

So my child is not the only one???
by: Anonymous

Glad to know I'm not alone in this! My son is 10 and has just started obsessively pulling his teeth. I don't think he has pulled any permanent ones but will find out soon at his next dentist appointment.

He has ADHD, OCD, and an anxiety disorder... this newest adventure is really freaking me out.

Apr 27, 2010
Rating

teeth pulling!
by: Anonymous

Sorry i never meant to leave my name before as Anonymous i wrote about my 7 year old son Brandon pulling 6 teeth and on for his 7th and about suggestions from Sabina etc my name is Bob.

Apr 27, 2010
Rating

tooth pulling
by: Anonymous

Hi all. Just been speaking with Sabina from Young Autistic and Stagestruck channel 4 and me and the wife have been wondering about this for a while.

Now our son is now 7 years and has pulled 6 of his milk teeth and on the look out for no 7. Sabina has mentioned chewy tubes etc.

I am going to give my son one these or something similar as we go.

We know they may not work for every child but as we know every child is individual and what will work for one might work for another. In most cases some children will have their own comfort which will work for them so we must try different things until we win.

Good luck to all

Apr 12, 2010
Rating

teen pulling teeth out
by: katherine

I have a 17 year old that has pulled three of his adult teeth out... He is autistic. Why? I dont know.

Jun 06, 2009
Rating

my daughter pulls her teeth
by: ugates

My daughter pulls her teeth herself too. She has not pulled any adult teeth. She is ten and also autistic and keeps her hands in her mouth all the time.

I try fidget tools like chewy tubes, oral massagers for stimulation if he lets you. My daughters OT at school will be focusing on her sensory processing and self-regulation techniques next year.

If your son has an OT ask if she could help with suggestions also. Good Luck

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to The SPD Q & A.

Teeth pulling

Comments for Teeth pulling

Recent Articles

SPD kids have tough mornings? Is this typical? Transitions

Why I struggle with touch sensitivity.

Anyone know of any resources for adults with ASD?