When are wisdom teeth supposed to be pulled?

Question

I'm 17 and I am one of the few people in my senior class that still has wisdom teeth. The wisdom teeth are crowning through my gums and it really hurts. I complained about it to my friend, and he was shocked and told me that they are supposed to be extracted before they grow in through the gums.

My parents swear that they need to grow in fully before they can be pulled. It kind of hurts when they are growing in, and I don't want to screw myself over by not getting them done in time.

When are wisdom teeth supposed to be pulled out?

Answer 1

It's different for everyone, but the best case scenario is if you can let them grow in and then have them pulled. This way it is not done as a surgical extraction. You should ask your friend where he got his dental degree. You are almost always better off not having to cut thru the gums to reach the teeth, unless they are impacted, or your teeth are already very very crowded.

Answer 2

Wisdom teeth are not "supposed" to be pulled.

If you are having problems related to the teeth coming in at odd angles, roots penetrating the sinus cavity above the upper teeth, failure of the tooth to break through the gum, abscess formation around a socket, etc., then it is something a dentist might recommend.

If you are simply having teething pains (same thing a baby goes through -- so now you can have sympathy for them), then use a topical anesthetic (such as Ora-jel, Ambisol, or other such products).

It is also a matter of some dentists extracting viable teeth because that's what everyone expects. It may not hurt anything to remove them, but it may be unnecessary surgery and that always brings an element of risk. Think about all the other people in the world who exist without having their wisdom teeth extracted -- they far outnumber those who do.

Sometimes these types of things become "fads" or "commonly accepted" without any basis. For example, for years every child had their tonsils removed around ages 5-7; now hardly anyone has that done.

BOTTOM LINE: Visit your dentist and explain the pain, have him examine them and show you on an x-ray exactly why they should be removed or why they should not be. Don't have them extracted simply because "oh, my gosh, everyone has them removed".

Answer 3

Wisdom teeth aren't supposed to be pulled unless necessary - meaning that there isn't room or they are growing in crooked. Your teeth can be impacted (still under the surface of your gums) and be removed. The gums are split open and the teeth and roots dug out. If you're having a lot of pain, take some ibuprofen (Advil) until you can see your dentist. He will most likely take some xrays to determine your wisdom teeth's position and which ones need to be removed. My husband never needed to have his removed. I had mine removed at 17 when they started to surface, but 3 were still impacted and I was experiencing a lot of soreness (similar to your experience). The dental surgery isn't bad. Afterward, a cool milkshake will help with the swelling and pain. Good luck!

Answer 4

Well first off not all wisdom teeth need to be pulled. This is a common misconception. If you have enough room in your mouth for your wisdom teeth it isn't necessary to extract them. Secondly, the pain your feeling is normal. You had it before you just don't remember it, it's called teething and you experienced it as a baby. Rub some topical ointment on it such as anbesol that will help the pain. And if you do, in fact, need your wisdom teeth extracted it isn't necessary to wait until they are in...in fact most dentists will extract them prior to this so they don't cause problems with the surrounding teeth.

So the answer to your question is...not all wisdom teeth are pulled, those that are extracted are done prior to them impacting the surrounding teeth.

Answer 5

Here are two articles with regards to your subject. The first one is a short one page story by a gal and the second is by NY Health and is very interesting and I believe will answer your questions.
When they grow in, yes it is painful. My grew in in my teens and then at 28 it was time to remove them because they were causing problems. Many doctors like to wait until there are problems while many figure it is best to take em out now.
The problem is here, you really should ask your parents to go and have your mouth examined. A professional can tell you immediately if these are growing in properly or not and if he suggests you do it now or not. I believe I had two of mine done at a time, while they prefer to do them all at one shot.
Ask for an appointment to see the doc, that should resolve the issue.
As to an age? I don't believe there is any specific age. Many as I said prefer to do it just after they are grown in, while many prefer waiting for problems or complications of that tooth growing in. Simply, get your parents to make you an appointment, just to be on the safe side.
Oh, and don't listen to friends about their having theirs removed so therefore you should too. However, the older you are, the longer the recovery, just remember that. If you have a choice in the matter per the doctor's diagnosis, do it when school ends in 07.

Answer 6

Not all wisdom teeth are pulled out. They may be pulled if the cause crowding of the teeth and make them start to become crooked. Or they my be impacted - which means they are growing inside ways and are pushing into your other teeth. That was what happened to me - at about your age.
Have the dentist look into it. OK

Answer 7

If you are experiencing pain, you should see your dentist. Wisdom teeth may be pulled at any time and if they force their way in they may create more problems with your other teeth. Please tell your parents that you really need to see a dentist just to put your mind at ease. Let them know that you are hurting very badly and need their help. I would push for this one because you don't need to be going to bed hurting any more.

Answer 8

not everyone had to get them pulled out...sometimes they suggest you...but if you ask do you HAVE TO....they say you dont...which is what happened to my friend...she is 22 now and she still has wisdom teeth.... ;p

but in your case...you really should pull them out now...you wont be able to keep on with everyday life if you gums are hurting you like that...meanwhile try to get some sensodyne...i had problems with my teeth and it has nothing to do with not being able to eat sweet, cold,etc....but it kept my gums less painfull until i could go see the doctor....

you might as well remove them now...they might charge you more if you teeth are bigger...my dentist keep telling me the longer you wait the more chance you will pay more...but that is a general statement...but you should ask them about that too...

Answer 9

your parents are wrong on this one.if they are causing you problems a good dentist will extract them as soon as they start to come through. in some cases if they go too long the root can grow aroung the jaw bone and then you got big trouble. i know a person whio spent 11 days in the hospital from having one wisdom tooth pulled after it had gone too long.

Answer 10

22