Wisdom Teeth: legitimate concern or a way for dentists to make more money?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wisdom_teeth#Treatment_controversy
A dilemma that has been plaguing me for a long time. It's been over five years since the dentist first told me I needed to get my wisdom teeth out and other dentists have said the same thing. For one reason of another these appointments have never been scheduled. Despite the dentists' urgency I've been just fine.
The link provides evidence that such surgery may be pointless, even detrimental. Granted Wikipedia isn't the most reliable source and shouldn't even be called evidence.
What should go here?
posted on Thursday, Aug 14th by AweThePuppies
AweThePuppies's Most Recent Posts
it was good for me to get them out. my mouth hurt something fierce and they were giving me pounding headaches because they were pressing against a nerve. it was no fun at all.
Oh ok well good... how old were you when you got them out? When they're being a problem the surgery's definitely a good idea, but I understand this doesn't happen to everyone, right?
Really I'm just rationalizing this all because I don't want to have the surgery haha. All that numbness and painkillers.
I had mine out around 20. My exhusband has his out last year (29). It's good to get them out - they can fuck up your front teeth by smooshing them all together.
i was 19 i think.
and yeah, i know it isn't always necessary, and i know a few people who have their wisdom teeth.
the surgery is really not bad, though i hate opiates so the painkillers were no fun.
if they're not bothering you or messing up your other teeth, don't worry about it.
i had mine out at age 19.
Specifically concerning the merits of the article you linked, it claims that no evidence to support or refute PREVENTATIVE surgery. However, most people I know get them removed because the wisdom teeth start growing in at a problematic angle and start causing pain. I wouldn't quite call that preventative surgery, I'd call that treatment for a condition.
The main reason some dentists automatically want to remove wisdom teeth as soon as possible is because it is so uncommon for those teeth to grow in correctly.
I've only got one, but I'm 26 and only one dentist has ever thought to have it removed.
This is true about the article, but I'm only talking about preventative surgery. If the dentists had it their way I would have had the surgery four years ago and they're obviously not that big of a problem now.
I suppose next time I can try a little harder to schedule a surgery. Except soon I won't have dental insurance; that's a different story.
When mine came in, I felt like I'd been kicked in the jaw.
I am 24, my wisdoms are still coming in. The second to last has been the worst because even though there is room there is flesh in the way. I hope the last is easier than this.
I am lucky that there is room for mine, otherwise they'd be gone.
I do not believe in unnecessary surgery. I am a hippy like that.