I Like My Wisdom Teeth

[bart0323]

Originally Posted by purehuman

Maybe you could explain why wisdom teeth are so commonly removed when they aren't causing any grief to the patient?
One of my sons (adult) was talked into it by a dentist,and had 4 removed at once....I still don't know why, and even though he went with it, neither does my son.

Every patient is different so your mileage may vary. On average, most people's jaws have stopped growing by the time wisdom teeth develop and there is usually no room for the wisdom teeth to erupt, leaving them impacted. Depending on the conditions, these impactions could cause slow damage to other teeth. If they do somehow erupt many of these teeth end up getting cavities because most patients don't clean well enough back there.


The take home message is that, for most people (read: not everyone), wisdom teeth cause problems at some point in life. Research has also shown that the absence of wisdom teeth has absolutely no detrimental effect on chewing or speaking provided the patient has the rest of their teeth. Thus, many dentists recommend to take them out early before these problems start.


There will always be people (especially on these forums) who boast "my wisdom teeth have never given me a problem". Good for you. It is not the same for everyone. I had all of mine removed when I was 17 which guaranteed that I would never have any future problems with my wisdom teeth. Knowing what I know as a dentist, I will do the same for both of my kids when they are old enough.

[mitchmiller9]

Thanks for all the replies.

I urge those that have all their wisdom teeth to give the Butler Tuft brush a try. Without it, I would never have been able to keep my wisdom teeth and gums around them clean. I've been using it along side my regular tooth brush for 30 years, just for the wisdom teeth. Brushing takes a few minutes longer, but that's fine w/me.

https://www.amazon.com/BUTLER-TUFT-B...end+tuft+brush

[toofache32]

Originally Posted by purehuman

Maybe you could explain why wisdom teeth are so commonly removed when they aren't causing any grief to the patient?
One of my sons (adult) was talked into it by a dentist,and had 4 removed at once....I still don't know why, and even though he went with it, neither does my son.

Similarly, why do we treat high blood pressure for patients who haven't even had their first heart attack yet?


About 80% of the population will develop problems or symptoms that require removal later in life. The problem is that having these teeth removed in your 50s or 60s is a much bigger deal with riskier surgery, higher rate AND severity of complications, slower healing, possible loss of additional teeth, and sometimes they even have to be done in the hospital. These are rarely able to be "pulled" and usually have to be cut out.



As for removing all 4 at once.....this is usually how it's done for several reasons:
1. most people would rather have 1 surgery than 4 surgeries
2. if being sedated, it's cheaper to have the sleepy medicine only once
3. insurance coverage for this stuff is getting worse every year, so many patients choose to take advantage of existing insurance benefits while they can, assuming there is a reasonable risk all the teeth will need to come out.


But if you don't want them removed, then don't do it.

[purehuman]

Originally Posted by toofache32

Similarly, why do we treat high blood pressure for patients who haven't even had their first heart attack yet?




.

Because high blood pressure can cause death...that's why
No comparison to a tooth that's not bothering someone and high blood pressure...none at all!!!!