In some people, the wisdom teeth come through; in others, they do not show up at all. They are usually unnecessary for chewing, but nevertheless, they are the cause of many dental problems.
Therefore, wisdom teeth usually need to be removed. Then why experts now say not to remove your wisdom teeth? Until a few years ago, dentists recommended removing wisdom teeth as early as possible. This was to avoid dental problems in general.
Today, things are different. Wisdom tooth removal is now only performed at the patient’s request. In this case, medical intervention is indispensable. Consequently, if you have pain in one of your wisdom teeth, it must be surgically removed.
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Wisdom Teeth Removal: Why Experts Now Say Not To Remove Your Wisdom Teeth?
To be specific, wisdom teeth removal is only advised when problems have occurred or are foreseeable. It has not been proven that extracting wisdom teeth that are free of complaints has health benefits.
In many people, wisdom teeth that have not erupted or impacted wisdom teeth do not cause any discomfort. However, they can cause pain, swelling, tooth decay, or inflammation of the gums.
In addition, they sometimes displace adjacent teeth. Even erupted wisdom teeth can either fit in without causing any discomfort. The other causes include:
Side Effects of Wisdom Teeth Removal
A reason why experts now say not to remove your wisdom teeth is its side effects. For most people, the mouth area and cheek are swollen after surgery, and the mouth cannot be fully opened for several hours or even days.
Many experience pain immediately after the procedure, but it soon subsides. However, if pain returns after 4 to 5 days, becomes more severe, and is accompanied by swelling or bad breath, this indicates a wound infection.
This problem can occur when the blood plug that closes the wound comes off prematurely, leaving the wound unprotected. Antiseptic mouthwashes or gels can help prevent such complications. It is not usually necessary to take antibiotics.
Nerves or blood vessels may be injured during the procedure. This can cause bleeding and usually temporary numbness of the tongue or face. Very rarely, serious infections can occur.
Up to one in 100 people may experience permanent problems as a result of the procedure, such as loss of sensation or damage to neighboring teeth. The risk depends on the extent of the procedure.
Possible Surgical Risks
Another reason to avoid wisdom teeth removal is its unnecessary risk factors and the disadvantages of removing wisdom teeth. It is possible that blood vessels or nerves may be injured during the operation. This can cause bleeding and temporary numbness in parts of the face or tongue.
Serious infections and bad breath can also be the result of wisdom tooth surgery. In one percent of the patients treated, there are impairments or even sensory disturbances of the adjacent teeth can be seen. There may be wisdom teeth removal impact on the brain, too.
Cheeks and the outer area of the mouth may swell after surgery, making it impossible to open the mouth for a while. Severe pain is also a frequent accompaniment of such an operation. If these do not disappear after about three to five days, you should definitely visit your trusted dentist’s office again.
According to many patients and dentists, the possible consequences of wisdom tooth surgery are disproportionately high compared to the expected success of the treatment. Certainly, healthy or already diseased wisdom teeth can sometimes significantly impair oral and dental health.
However, there is no 100 percent risk in this regard. For this reason, many dentists prefer to wait and see first and explicitly examine and weigh up the symptoms.
Wisdom teeth removal usually requires local anesthesia or general anesthesia for larger procedures.
Why Should Wisdom Teeth Be Removed?
Unlike “normal” molars, wisdom teeth are at risk of breaking through piece by piece. Each additional “crack” could result in further inflammation. The resulting pressure in the jaw becomes more and more painful over time and can also affect the other molars.
Typical problems that a wisdom tooth could cause are pressure pain in the jaw area. In addition, the surrounding gums often become inflamed. In some cases, it has also been shown that if you have a painful back molar that is perfectly healthy in itself, extracting the wisdom tooth behind it can be helpful.
Wisdom teeth do not always cause discomfort. However, swelling and inflammation of the gums often occur over time – or neighboring teeth become displaced. This, in turn, results in a higher risk of caries or other complications.
Prophylactic medical interventions are often useful as an alternative to wisdom tooth extraction to prevent such a development. However, the dentist should always keep in mind the age as well as the physical constitution of his patients.
Those who are between 15 and 30 years old will survive the operation comparatively well and without complications.
When You Need to Take Out Your Wisdom Teeth?
Whether or not it is better to have the wisdom teeth removed depends primarily on whether they are already causing problems or are very likely to do so. It would help if you considered some facts before you go for your wisdom teeth removal surgery:
- The wisdom teeth caused any problem or not. Or is there an increased risk of this happening?
- Will it have any effect on the development process of the dentition?
- Will it affect planned orthodontic or dental treatment?
- What are the risks of the procedure?
- Could wisdom teeth be suitable as a replacement for lost or severely damaged molars?
People with displaced incisors or small jawbones sometimes worry that their teeth will shift even more if the wisdom teeth erupt. However, this does not have to be the case. For these people, too, if the wisdom teeth are not expected to affect other teeth, they can be left in place.
What Can Be Done About the Pain After the Procedure?
Many people resort to painkillers after the operation. Sometimes pain relievers are given before the procedure. Both ibuprofen and acetaminophen can relieve pain after surgery. The drug ASA is not appropriate before or after surgery because it increases the risk of bleeding.
Studies show that ibuprofen at a dose of 400 mg relieves pain better than acetaminophen at a dose of 1000 mg. A combination of acetaminophen 1000 mg and ibuprofen 400 mg relieves pain better than the same dose of acetaminophen or ibuprofen alone, and the effect also lasts longer.
To avoid exceeding the maximum dose for either agent, adults should take this combination no more than about every eight hours. For adults, the maximum dose for ibuprofen is 800 to 1200 mg in 24 hours. The maximum dose for acetaminophen is 4000 mg in 24 hours.
Sometimes the enzyme preparation bromelain is given, which should have an anti-inflammatory effect and relieve pain. However, good studies are lacking on the benefit of this agent.
To reduce swelling, the cheek can be cooled with a cold pack for the first few days. Smoking, drinking hot drinks, or fruit juices in the first days after the procedure may interfere with wound healing.
Still, water or, for example, lukewarm chamomile tea is suitable as a drink. Hard foods can also cause problems. Soups that are not too hot and foods that can be crushed with the tongue, for example, potatoes, fish, or pasta, are more favorable to eat in this situation.
It is better to avoid strenuous activities such as sports and sauna sessions on the days after the operation, as they can also impair wound healing. This applies even if you already feel well again.
Conclusion
Probably you have got your answer for why experts now say not to remove your wisdom teeth. The fact is that surgical procedures of this type can be avoided in some cases.
However, if you as a patient want to be on the safe side, you can seek individual advice from a dentist you trust. Regarding your personal dental circumstances and your physical constitution, he will recommend wisdom tooth surgery – or advise you against it.
FAQs
What happens if you don’t remove your wisdom teeth?
For many people, unerupted (impacted) wisdom teeth do not cause any discomfort. However, they can cause pain, swelling, tooth decay, or inflammation of the gums. In addition, they sometimes displace adjacent teeth.
How many injections are given for wisdom teeth removal?
Local anesthesia is usually sufficient for wisdom tooth removal – even if all four wisdom teeth are extracted at the same time. Your dentist will give you two anesthetic injections each in the upper jaw and lower jaw for this purpose, thus completely anesthetizing the surgical area.
Why do wisdom teeth have to be extracted?
Because the teeth often do not have enough space, they may cause severe discomfort. If there is a lack of space, dentists recommend extraction. Wisdom teeth that have not erupted can also be the reason for pain and restrictions. Depending on the situation, surgical removal is sometimes advisable.
Is it bad if the wisdom teeth stay in?
Even if the wisdom teeth do not erupt but instead are displaced in the bone, they can sometimes remain. Especially if surgery would pose a greater risk, but there are no dental health issues, they often stay in the jaw.
How do you know wisdom teeth need to come out?
Wisdom teeth must be removed if they only partially erupt, are broken, do not have enough space, or grow crooked or twisted. Wisdom teeth also need to come out if they are infected.
How long does it take to open the mouth fully after wisdom tooth surgery?
Generally, the swelling reaches its peak on the third day. Often, visible bluish discolorations (hematomas) on the cheeks appear then. The swelling makes it difficult for some patients to open their mouths during the first few days fully.
What are the benefits of keeping wisdom teeth?
If a wisdom tooth develops normally, is healthy, and there is enough space in the jaw to stand or stand well in the row of teeth, it should be kept. Because wisdom teeth can also serve as a replacement for lost and damaged teeth.
Is wisdom teeth removal painful?
Wisdom teeth extraction is performed under local anesthesia. With this type of procedure, slight pain or swelling is expected.
How long is it not allowed to eat after wisdom teeth?
Once the anesthesia has worn off, you may eat again, but hard foods are off-limits. Bread crusts and the like can easily irritate the wound and cause inflammation. Strong chewing is also painful. For about three days, sometimes longer, you should limit yourself to soft foods.
How does the pain of wisdom teeth feel?
Food debris and bacteria can collect and lead to inflammation. Usually, a throbbing pain occurs, which extends to the ear or temples. In this case, a dentist should be consulted, especially if fever is added.
Can the dentist extract a wisdom tooth?
In principle, any dentist can remove wisdom teeth that are not displaced and fully erupted as a normal tooth extraction. In all other cases, surgery is required, and this should be performed by an oral surgeon who is properly trained and equipped to do so.
