Should Your Wisdom Teeth Be Removed?

2007′th year article from American Journal of Public Health by retired dentist Jay Friedman, that is very controversial, says that if there’s no evidence to support pulling a wisdom tooth, then it should not be pulled. Some dentists say that there isn’t enough data to support that conclusion or any other.

2007′th year article from American Journal of Public Health by retired dentist Jay Friedman, that is very controversial, says that if there’s no evidence to support pulling a wisdom tooth, then it should not be pulled.

Some dentists say that there isn’t enough data to support that conclusion or any other.

Dentists usually recommend that young people to have the teeth removed, even though the tooth is not causing any problems.

However, there are no hard and fast rules, helpful statistics, or good scientific studies to help a person make a decision about when they should have a wisdom tooth pulled and when they should leave it.

A recent study tried to help with some of the clinical and statistical gaps. The study looked at the reasons given by general dentists for recommending either pulling third molars or keeping them.

The study states that if a wisdom tooth has periodontal issues, is causing the gum to swell, or has a cavity, it should be pulled. However, after that things move into a gray area, where what needs to be done is not so clear.

Some dentists, especially in Great Britain, now say that if an impacted wisdom tooth is not causing any problems, it shouldn’t be pulled. It is difficult indeed to make an informed decision about wisdom teeth based on scientific evidence.

An impacted wisdom tooth is unable to grow above the gum usually because there is another tooth in the way or there is a lack of space. In other cases, the tooth can grow at an angle towards the adjacent teeth or in sideways manner.

The American Dental Association doesn’t have an official policy about how to deal with wisdom teeth. They recommend that each case should be evaluated on the individual merits. Wisdom teeth can be a valuable asset to the mouth when they are properly positioned and healthy. Frequently, however, problems develop that require that they be pulled.

Since no one can predict how a tooth will grow, it seems that the best thing that a person can do is make a somewhat educated guess. A person can have a wisdom tooth locked in their upper arch and never have a problem with it. Or it can cause problems.

Because a person will do just fine without them, it is probably better to have the offending wisdom tooth pulled as there is really no reason to take a chance.