What is the debate about having wisdom teeth extracted?
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American Dental Association answered:Wisdom teeth that are healthy and properly positioned can be an asset. Because wisdom teeth are located far back in the mouth, they are often not needed for chewing and can be difficult to brush and floss. Your dentist may recommend the removal of your wisdom teeth because waiting until you are older can increase the risk of problems.
Removing wisdom teeth may prevent:
- infection caused by a partially-erupted wisdom tooth through the gum and creating an opening where bacteria may enter. Pain, swelling and jaw stiffness may result.
- damage or crowding of adjacent teeth caused by a wisdom tooth without enough room in the jaw or one that's poorly aligned.
- a fluid-filled cyst or tumor forming on or near an impacted tooth, destroying surrounding bone or tooth roots.
If you are experiencing any dental pain, make sure to see your dentist regularly so that he or she can monitor your oral health.
Wisdom teeth that are healthy and properly positioned can be an asset. Because wisdom teeth are located far back in the mouth, they are often not needed for chewing and can be difficult to brush and floss. Your dentist may recommend the removal of... More -
Dr. De Vizio of Colgate answered:Although many people maintain wisdom teeth with no pain or damage to surrounding teeth, some surgeons recommend removal to avoid any potential problems. There is no medical evidence to suggest that they will always pose a problem.Although many people maintain wisdom teeth with no pain or damage to surrounding teeth, some surgeons recommend removal to avoid any potential problems. There is no medical evidence to suggest that they will always pose a problem. More -
Dr. Jerry Gordon answered:Wisdom teeth, or third molars, sometimes do not have room to fit into the mouth properly. This is believed to be due to the evolution of the human jaw, which has become smaller because of modern refinements in food and cooking. Primitive peoples needed the "extra" wisdom tooth as other back teeth, molars, broke down with their coarse diet. Wisdom teeth usually make their appearance from the ages of 17-21. If there is not enough room, they will often cause earaches, headaches, swelling of the gums, and potentially cause crowding of the other teeth. A large panoramic x-ray of the jaw, called a panograph, may show a tumor or cyst that can painlessly grow around the wisdom tooth, or destruction of the adjacent molar tooth roots. These are all valid reasons to have the wisdom teeth removed.
If you have never had any problems with your wisdom teeth, you should still get them evaluated. If there is no evidence that the wisdom tooth is causing pathology (disease) or damaging other teeth, then I recommend no treatment other than follow up observation at future dental visits.
Wisdom teeth, or third molars, sometimes do not have room to fit into the mouth properly. This is believed to be due to the evolution of the human jaw, which has become smaller because of modern refinements in food and cooking. Primitive peoples... More
