Wisdom teeth

[Deb Quen of Colorado]

Is it just standard for a dentist to say that the wisdom teeth should come out? I understand there could be problems later, but is there really any way to tell that?
Do you have yours?
Did you get told to have them out as a teen? did you or not? and if you didn't do you wish you had??

 

[Cinderella94]

I'm 16 and got mine out last spring. They were impacted and causing me pain so it was time to come out.

That said, before the pain started, my dentist planned on removing them over the summer anyway. We just did it earlier than planned.

 

[bigmerle1966]

I had three of mine out in my early twenties. The one because it was close to being impacted and the other two to prevent it, there was not enough room for them to come in properly.

The fourth one was not removed because it was too high up in the gum and too close to my sinus cavity.

 

[ncmickeyluvr]

I think it depends on whether or not there is enough room for them to come in. My sister had gaps in her teeth as a teen. She probably should have had braces but my Mom couldn't afford it. Her wisdom teeth didn't come in until her early 20's and actually made her teeth better by pushing her teeth together.

I didn't have room for my wisdom teeth and so they stayed under my jaw bone and were impacted.

 

[ddp9000]

I had my wisdom teeth removed a couple years ago at the age of 25. Like Cinderella94 they were also impacted and causing me a fair bit of pain. Fortunately, I healed up fairly quickly and didn't feel much soreness after the procedure... but everyone's experience is different.

 

[sue1013]

It seems to be something new for dentists in the past few years. Both DH and I have all 4 of our wisdom teeth no problems and we're old. DD age 35 has all of hers was never told to get them out. The dentist has been telling DS 24 to have them out since he was in High School. He's had no trouble either.

 

[SideshowBob]

Had all four of mine taken out the day before starting colllege ... ack!

 

[dancin Disney style]

I'm 40 and still have all of mine. I was told when I was around 22 that they should come out some time before I was 26. The dentist I had back then was a very kind older gentleman(over 60) that was not concerned with making money...he had already done that....he wanted to keep his patients in good health. He said that the wisdom teeth were in there and they were not going to go away. He also said that they were not straight and that was bad. So because of fear I never got them out. Well, about a year ago I started having discomfort in the area around one of the lower ones. That tooth has now fully erupted and came in turned on a 45. I constantly bit my cheek and everything I eat gets trapped beside that one tooth. I'm still scared of the though of having something removed from me but I think it's on the horizon.

 

[NMAmy]

Mine came in okay when I was young but I had all four removed in May (I'm 47) due to problems because of crowding.

 

[bjscheel]

I still have mine at age 34. Sometimes they come down and make my gums sore, then within a week or two they recede again. Nothing major. The dentist will say, "do you want to talk about those wisdom teeth?" and I answer no. I don't plan on having a surgery when there isn't a problem.

 

[Metro West]

I had all four taken out when I was in high school with no problems.

 

[Owlpost23]

Had mine out at the age of 26.All four came in just fine-I was going to leave them alone,but the dentist rightly pointed out that since you don't use them,they just collect crud and can then cause problems.

 

[simba20]

I am 35 and still have mine. The front two have emerged slightly and the back two are imapcted.

Of course, I avoided going tot he dentist for years, so my teeth are in pretty terrible condition. Last year, I started goign to the dentist and havign work done. No where in my dentist's plan for my mouth, is there any plan to remove my wisom teeth.

A number of years ago, I was going to a dentist who sent me to an oral surgeon to have teeth removed. At the time the OS recommended rmoving 8 of my teeth and my wisom teeth. My out of pocket cost, after insurance, would have been $800. Couldn't do it, so I cancelled.

My dentist's assistant has told me that it is good that I did not have them taken out. Due to decay I have lost two molars, and the assistant says that the front two wisdom teeth have are emerged are helping to take place of the missing molars, and helping me to chew my food. Without 'em, I'd probably choke.

Anyway, I have an appointment for more work on Monday.

 

[Gigi22]

I had all four wisdom teeth removed, in two separate sessions. They were impacted, and causing me a lot of pain. The dentist who removed my wisdom teeth talked the situation over with my parents, and explained that my sisters and I would all likely have to have our teeth removed because we all have relatively small jaws and large teeth, so not enough room for the four 'extra' wisdoms.

 

[tvguy]

I'm 53, still have mine. My dentist said if they aren't bothering you, don't touch them. He retired 4 years ago. Although everytime he got a new hygientist they would say "we have to make sure the Dr. knows you still have those wisdom teeth". He was my dentist for 38 years, I think he knows they are there.

New dentist had been after me to get them pulled now because "you are in good health now, but if they become an issue later, you may not be healthy enough to have them taken out".
I told him, if they aren't bothering me, they're staying.
He doesnt' ask anymore.

 

[Pakey]

Mine were taken out before I was 25.

I think 2 of my 3 adult sons still have theirs.

 

[Ally192]

I got mine out when I was 14. They weren't causing me any trouble but I have a pretty small mouth so my dentist thought they should come out.

 

[GJM]

I am 46 and just had 1 taken out. The dentist I went to said I should have all 4 taken out - only 1 was bothering me, it cracked.

When I went to the Oral Surgeon, he told me if the others are not bothering you then don't worry. I had the 1 taken out, it really wasn't bad, it was over in 5 minutes. I never had to take the pain medication.

 

[tink1978]

My dad is a dentist and it is not routine to tell someone to have them removed for most dentists. They usually recommend it if they are coming in sideways, impacted, or the like. Otherwise, you don't have to get them out until they start causing pain and problems. The good thing about having them out early, is that you recover quicker. I had mine out at 16 as they were impacted.

 

[ThePrince]

I'm 28 and still have all of mine. They all came in perfectly and have never had an issue with them. Just need to make sure you brush good and keep them healthy.