Startling video exposes the brutal efforts nomadic reindeer herders go to to fix their teeth WITHOUT a dentist for more than 500 kilometers – from DIY metal crowns to extractions with PLIERS

If you’re squeamish and afraid of the dentist, look away now!

An enlightening one YouTube video sheds light on how nomadic reindeer herders in the Russian Arctic deal with dental problems.

Since there are no hospitals or dental clinics within more than 500 kilometers, the community takes it upon themselves to perform surgeries with only basic equipment to work with.

In one clip, a man is seen pulling out another man’s tooth with pliers, which he sterilizes in the fire beforehand.

Since there are no hospitals or dental clinics within more than 500 kilometers, the community takes it upon themselves to perform surgeries with only basic equipment to work with

After the tooth comes out, he is given a drink of vodka to ‘prevent infection’

In the video, the subtitles explain that “the teeth of the northern nomads were good for centuries” because they ate a lot of frozen, raw meat, but the rise of Western foods has led to more dental problems

You can hear the man with the toothache screaming in pain as the DIY extraction takes place.

After the tooth comes out, he is given a drink of vodka to ‘prevent infection’.

In the video, the subtitles explain that “the teeth of the northern nomads were good for centuries” because they ate a lot of frozen, raw meat, but the rise of Western foods has led to more dental problems.

Some of the most offensive products, according to the video, include bread, dairy, sweets, cookies and “teas with a lot of sugar.”

Instead of ‘tough raw meat’, the nomads have also started eating soft ‘boiled meat with pasta’, and fresh vegetables and fruit, essential for healthy gums and teeth, are difficult to come by.

In response to this, a nomadic woman says that ‘the teeth of many nomads are in quite poor condition.’

The problem is worse in men, one male interviewee explains, because they tend to “smoke a lot, which is also bad for the teeth.”

The video notes that nomadic families tend to visit cities twice a year to stock up on supplies and during this time they may visit a dentist.

To repair damaged teeth, the subtitles reveal that metal crowns are often used and that several people interviewed in the video have them placed.

A nomadic man smiles and reveals a row of metal crowns on his upper front teeth

A nomadic woman says that ‘many nomads’ teeth are in pretty bad shape’

The problem is worse in men, one male interviewee explains, because they tend to “smoke a lot, which is also bad for the teeth.”

Instead of ‘tough raw meat’, the nomads also started eating soft ‘boiled meat with pasta’

While the young have strong and healthy teeth, the nomad diet is slowly starting to take its toll

In one scene, a nomadic man smiles and reveals a row of metal crowns on his upper front teeth.

At the end of the video it is explained that the older nomads generally eat porridge because it is easier to eat with bad teeth.

Many viewers commented on how painful the tooth extraction looked.

One commenter wrote: ‘I felt the man’s pain. I was so sad when I saw this. All the best to him, his family and all the other shepherds.”

Another viewer from the US said they could relate to the pain as their parents, to save money, ‘grabbed a string’ and ‘yanked’ theirs out as a child.