A mum bought pliers and took her son to a public toilet. There, she did the unimaginable.

Trigger warning: This article contains information about child abuse which may be distressing for some readers.

A mother in the US state of Utah has been charged with felony child abuse after she forcibly pulled two teeth from the mouth of her seven-year-old son.

Police say that 47-year-old Jeannine Degaston, bought hand sanitiser and needle-nose pliers from Walmart on April 2 before taking her son into the store’s restroom.

The boy’s older brother heard the child screaming and rushed to help him, KSL News reports.

The boy told his brother that one of his teeth was loose, but the other was only slightly loose. Police took the boy to a dentist, who confirmed the teeth did not need to be removed.

The seven-year-old boy's teeth were removed in pieces and it's believed his mother didn't use any kind anaesthetic during the procedure.

According to charging documents, she told police she pulled the boy's teeth because they were infected.

She has been charged with felony child abuse in relation to the incident, with police confirming she has a history of mental illness.

She is due to appear in court next month.