Wisdom tooth... To pull or not to pull?

Question

Some people tell me to leave it, some tell me to pull it. In what case do you extract your windom tooth(s)?

Answer 1

Unless it is causing a problem, leave it.

Answer 2

If the wizzy has broken thru the gum, no matter how small an opening, then the bacteria can get into the grooves of the the tooth surface and around the gum. It is very likely you will either get decay or gum infections. Sometimes the wizzy is at an angle to the tooth in front, and it is very easy in such cases to get deep decay in the tooth in front.
So, unless you are one of the VERY rare people who can fit their wizzies in upright AND totally clear of the gum, then get them out.
Sure, you may wait till they give trouble, but why make it hard on yourself? If you wait for pain, then you'll waste time getting in to see a dentist or oral surgeon while you live on antibiotics and/or painkillers. Plan ahead and have them extracted when it's a good time for you with regard to schooling or work.
Don't wait till you're older. As you age, the roots continue to thicken, and the extraction will get more difficult for the surgeon and also for you. You will heal more slowly as you get older.

Answer 3

Its ok to have your wisdom tooth if it doesnt bother you. The reasons behind pulling out wisdom tooth is:
1- it is growing towards the root of your other teeth, this will pressure your other teeth to move forward, and your teeth will usually overlap eachother, which means then you need braces to straighten out your teeth again.
2- If it is painful and bothers you while growing then you need to take out
3- if it is causing infection

The best thing is to check with your dentist to see if you teeth has any of these symptoms. Usually if there is nothing wrong the dentist will ask you if you want to take it out. Its optional then.
I know people who have kept their wisdom tooth and they dont have a problem at all.
I see you are worried about the surgery itself. Dont worry its no pain at all. You will just have a bloated face for a week or 2.

Answer 4

I didn't have mine pulled when I was 17, it seemed pointless. But they ended up pushing my other teeth together, and making one tooth turn sideways. It's a mild annoyance, not a serious problem, but I wish I'd just done it in the first place. Two years later they got very infected, and had to come out anyway. My advice is pull em, but good luck on whatever you decide:)

Answer 5

I was asking myself the same question. The dentist wanted me to get all 4 of them pulled and I got the lower two pulled. If they teeth are growing inward and they look like they are growing forward then get them pulled. If not they will caused tons of pain and can cause your tooth alignment to misalign. I waited because i didnt think it was a big deal and i ended up getting 2 of them pulled because of the pain. My top two were coming down straight so i left them in and im fine to this day. So if they are coming in inward then get them removed to avoid worse problems.

Answer 6

You should listen to your dentist and not your friends. I was told to have mine pulled when I was 18, and I didn't do it. When I was in my mid 20's, they became impacted and it was extremely painful. I had to have all 4 removed, plus a molar that had become abscessed due to infection caused by the impacted wisdom teeth. My teeth look fine now, but there could have been worse consequences. Your dentist knows when you should have them pulled, and he/she will tell you so. My advice is to listen to the professionals.

Answer 7

The dentist will be able to tell you if you have enough room and if your tooth will come in straight (may require xrays). Sometimes, you have to get it extracted. If it's growing in wrong, if you don't have the room, if it's fused to the bone or if it's badly decayed (beyond repair). And, if it does come in normally, it is more succeptible to decay because it is so far back that it's more difficult to clean properly. So you'll have to take special care of it if you do want to keep it. =)

Answer 8

My mother is 80 and still has all of her wisdom teeth. I had mine extracted when I was 30 because two were growing sideways and hurting. I'd say leave well enough alone unless they are giving you problems.

Answer 9

Have your dentist x-ray your mouth and advise you whether or not you have enough room. I got all four of mine out years ago and am so grateful for it. My boyfriend has to have one of his pulled next week because it came in crooked and is causing a lot of infections and pain and my best friend's have gotten impacted, which means she has an awful time ahead of her.

Your dentist will know best, but if there's a good chance they'll cause you trouble later, get them out now. Toothaches are no fun!

Answer 10

Ok, if the tooth is impacted or partially erupted, it's probably good to have it removed. Also if you have teeth on the top but not the bottom or vice versa, so that they are unopposed, that's not good either in terms of future dental health and you probably want them out. And finally, depends on your jaw size. If you have plenty of room for them to be in without crowding, and if not impacting, unopposed, partially erupted, then leave them.

Answer 11

If it is not causing you any pain/infection/ect I'd leave it. One importnat thing though, is to make sure there is enough room in your jaw for them to come in, and that they are not impacted.

For example, if the wisdom teeth are lying on their sides, they'll never come in correctly and can actually damage your exisiting crowns. That's when you have them removed.

But, if they are sitting normally, not causing you any problems, I'd leave it. They may get cavities easily once they do come in though. Luckly, it's much easier to have them pulled after they come in than having it removed while they are still in your gums... no digging around...