It is a common misconception that wisdom teeth always have to be removed. Many people believe that wisdom teeth can only cause pain and other issues, so it’s best to have them extracted as soon as possible. However, this isn’t always the case. So what happens if you don’t get your wisdom teeth removed? Can you even keep your wisdom teeth? Actually, there are several benefits of keeping wisdom teeth – benefits that many dentists are happy to share with their patients. This article discusses what you need to know about wisdom teeth removal to help you make an informed decision about your own oral health.
What do Experts Say About Not Removing Wisdom Teeth?
There has a lot of research done into whether or not wisdom teeth removal is necessary. We have highlighted some large ones below for those wishing to read them.
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence set guidelines to discontinue wisdom teeth removal
- American Public Health Association: Opposes Removal of Wisdom Teeth
- National Institute of Health: Experts NOW Say NOT to Remove your Wisdom Teeth
These studies have concluded that for many people, keeping your wisdom teeth is better than taking them out. This is only added to by the extreme cost of wisdom teeth removal. As a result, there are many cases where people should choose to keep their wisdom teeth.
The unpleasant truth is that more than half of those who have their wisdom teeth removed did not need to do so. As Dr. Adam Szymczak (DDS) from smilecaredental.ca stated, wisdom teeth removal is often one of many commonly done unneeded dental treatments.
So What are the Benefits of Keeping Wisdom Teeth?
We have already established that for some people, there may be more benefits to keeping their wisdom teeth than having them removed. But what exactly are these benefits?
No Pain From Wisdom Teeth Extraction Aftermath
This is perhaps the most common benefit of keeping wisdom teeth. Many people who have their wisdom teeth removed experience pain and discomfort for days, even weeks, after the procedure. This is due to the fact that wisdom teeth removal is a surgery, and like any other surgery, it takes time to recover. By not having wisdom teeth removed you do not have to deal with its aftermath including pain, swelling, bruising, malaise, and limited jaw opening (trismus).
No Need for Wisdom Tooth Recovery
Another common benefit of keeping wisdom teeth is that you don’t need to take time off work or school to recover. This can be a big deal for students or working professionals who can’t afford to take a few days off. With wisdom teeth removal, you typically need at least a day or two to recover, which can seriously impact your schedule.
No Chance of Wisdom Teeth Dry Socket Complications
The most complication that can occur after wisdom teeth removal is dry socket. This happens when the blood clot that forms in the extraction site is dislodged, exposing the bone and nerves. This can be extremely painful and may require additional treatment. By not having your wisdom teeth removed, you don’t have to worry about this complication.
Lack of Other Complications of Wisdom Teeth Removal
In addition to the above-mentioned complications, there are other risks that come with wisdom teeth removal. These include infection, damage to nearby teeth, bone, and nerve damage. For example, if the roots of your wisdom tooth are deep enough they may surround the neurovascular bundle that runs through your lower jaw. Accidentally nicking it during wisdom teeth removal can lead to severe bleeding and/or numbness in the tongue and cheek. In cases like this, it may be safer to just leave the tooth in place. Again, by not having your wisdom teeth removed, you can avoid these complications.
There are also chances of sinus exposure and infection if the tooth is not removed appropriately. Some studies even linked dental procedures to opioid addiction. Like any surgery, there are risks that come with wisdom teeth removal. These risks, however, should be discussed with your dentist or oral surgeon prior to the procedure.
So do I Actually Need my Wisdom Teeth Removed?
Wouldn’t it be fantastic if you didn’t have to worry about wisdom teeth causing you any health problems? In other words, you wouldn’t need to pay for the wisdom teeth removal costs! So do you actually need your wisdom teeth removed? Truthfully, this is an answer that can only be given after having an in-person visit with your dentist. However, there are some general things that all dentists will look for:
When Should Wisdom Teeth Removal Not Happen?
- When your wisdom teeth are FULLY impacted (completely covered and sealed off by the gum tissue) they do not need to be removed. Since food and bacteria can NOT get to the wisdom teeth, there is a less than 5% chance of ever having any complications
- When food and bacteria can get to the wisdom teeth BUT you keep the wisdom teeth clean they do not need to be removed
- When you are over the age of 30 and have never had problems with your wisdom teeth they do not need to be removed
When should I have my wisdom teeth removed?
- If your wisdom tooth has cavities (dental caries)
- If your wisdom tooth is infected
- If the wisdom tooth has a cyst
- If you are unable to keep the wisdom teeth clean
Why do Dentists Recommend Wisdom Teeth Removal if it May not be Necessary?
Just because your wisdom teeth are coming in doesn’t mean they need to be taken out: The TRUTH is that only about 10-20% of wisdom teeth ever develop problems. Yet most young people have their wisdom teeth removed “just in case.” How come?
Interestingly, most people who live in Canada or United States will end up getting recommended that they should have their wisdom teeth removed. Yet, most people who live in Europe will end up getting recommended that they should not have their wisdom teeth removed.
Truthfully the reason it keeps getting recommended is that it makes a lot of money. Wisdom teeth removal costs about $4 billion yearly in The United States. In Canada, patients spend about $400,000,000 every year on wisdom teeth removal! Dentists have a bias toward recommending treatment because it makes them money to do so. One can simply look at their local dentist’s websites; many will always promote the removal of wisdom teeth.
As with all big business, part of that money feeds misinformation, such as myths about wisdom teeth. So make sure to always be an active participant in your own dental health. Ask questions, compare them to sources such as WebDMD and make an informed decision about whether or not you need a wisdom tooth removal. Yes, there are a lot of scenarios where they should be removed, but there will also be many scenarios where they don’t.
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No two mouths are the same, and each oral situation is unique. As such, it isn’t possible to give comprehensive advice or diagnose oral conditions based on articles alone. The best way to ensure you’re getting the best dental care possible is to visit a dentist in person for an examination and consultation.
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Hi. Excellent article and very important myth-busting, so thank you for getting this information out there.
One typo in a crucial statement: Just beneath the 3 links to other authoritative sources who agree that most wisdom teeth removal is unnecessary (and those links are excellent, too) is this sentence: “These studies have concluded that for many people, the benefits of wisdom teeth removal may outweigh their disadvantages.” I think it’s just the reverse–the costs and risks of removal may outweigh any benefits, as you and the other sources state clearly. Thank you so much for this great piece of work. I think this must be sufficient backup for you to bring as you reach out to the NIH and HHS to prod them into taking a science-based stance against this practice of taking advantage of American teenagers.