“Wisdom teeth are the signs of wisdom!” Many of us have heard this line, which is unfortunately not true. Wisdom teeth are just an evolutionary quirk that emerges between 17 and 25. While wisdom teeth may not indicate wisdom, they are still important to our dental structure.
It provides chewing powers, gives structural support, and backs up the teeth. Dental experts all around the world have also started considering the importance of this evolutionary quirk. Maybe this is why experts now say not to remove your wisdom teeth. Yes, you read it right even though modern diets and smaller jaw sizes have made them less necessary, experts are not ok with wisdom teeth removal.
So, in this guide, we will lift the veil from this secret and try to figure out the reason behind it.
Why Experts Now Say Not to Remove Your Wisdom Teeth?
Perspectives on wisdom teeth removal were not the same back then as they are now. The dentist used to recommend their patient to remove it as a preventive measure. This is because dental professionals back then assumed that these teeth were not suitable for modern humans as we have smaller jaws.
They were helpful to our ancestors with bigger jaws and generated enormous bite force to chew hard food. But, smaller jaws are not where they belong and hence create issues such as overcrowding, misalignment, and infection.
However, recent dental research has debunked this myth by proving that not everyone experiences issues with wisdom teeth.
This revelation has made dental experts change their stance and look at the benefits of keeping wisdom teeth. That’s why experts now say not to remove your wisdom teeth.
Let’s delve into some further reasons why you should also not think of getting rid of this evolutionary quirk.
Reasons Why Removing Wisdom Teeth is Not Necessary
We have discussed the main reason why dentists are now not found to remove wisdom teeth. Let’s look at some other reasons to get your teeth cleaned:
1. Understanding the Purpose of Wisdom Teeth
Wisdom teeth were there to help our ancestors grind hard foods. Even now they are a crucial part of our dental structure that doesn’t necessarily create problems. That’s why there is no need to remove them.
2. Unnecessary Surgery Risks
Extracting a tooth is like surgery especially if it’s the wisdom teeth. And like any other surgical procedure, it also carries risks such as infection, nerve damage, and other complications. These risks are also one of the reasons why dental experts say no to removing wisdom teeth.
3. Natural Eruption
Generally wisdom teeth are painful reminders of evolution. But in some cases, they erupt without causing any issues. If the wisdom teeth occur smoothly and healthily then there’s no reason to get rid of it. Even if they give you a little pain, it’s far better to bear than removing the teeth.
4. Good Oral Care Routine
Following a good oral care routine that includes, regular brushing, flossing, and dental checkups can maintain wisdom teeth health. Additionally, relying on some preventive approaches helps reduce the likelihood of complications and the need for extraction.
5. Monitoring is Better
Dental care is much better now than they were before because of the new advancements and methods. For example, the dental imaging method can help to monitor the development of wisdom teeth effectively. It can detect and prevent complications and reduce the necessity of surgery.
So, these are some reasons why wisdom teeth removal is not compulsory. Only in a few cases, it becomes necessary, about which we will talk in the next section.
When Wisdom Teeth Removal is Necessary?
Despite the shift in perspective about the removal of wisdom teeth, dentists opt for the extraction under some specific circumstances:
1. Impacted Wisdom Teeth
In some patients the wisdom teeth don’t emerge completely. It is known as the impacted teeth that cause severe pain, discomfort, and maybe infection.
2. Infections
Wisdom teeth are not easy to clean as they are hard to reach even with a toothbrush. That’s why they are prone to infection, which can cause swelling, pain, and difficulty in the mouth.
3. Decay or Gum Disease
When the wisdom doesn’t emerge completely or erupts partially they become more difficult to clean. This increases the risk of gum disease and tooth decay, That’s why a dentist chooses to remove them to avoid further issues.
Also Read >>> Dr. Aishwarya Shares the Top 5 Tips for Healthy Teeth and Gums
4. Cysts or Tumours
Wisdom teeth can cause the development of tumors or cysts in the jaw. It is very rare but can damage the surrounding teeth. This issue may also be life-threatening which makes the removal the best option.
5. Damage to Adjacent Teeth
Abnormal development of wisdom teeth can push against the neighboring teeth. It will cause damage, misalignment, crowding, or other issues.
Apart from these, times when patients are unable to bear the pain and discomfort of wisdom teeth also force dentists to choose the dental extraction process.
Since you are reading this blog you may be one of those people. So, if you are, then think again because the unnecessary extraction can be the result of serious complications.
Complications of Wisdom Teeth Removal
As we discussed earlier, removing wisdom teeth is like a mini surgery that comes with risk. You must know that breaking the jaw is a common part of the wisdom teeth removal process.
So, do they really break your jaw to remove wisdom teeth? No, it is a necessary part of removing the wisdom teeth. But some common complications of this surgery are scary:
- Nerve Injury
- Excessive Bleeding
- Dry socket
- Sinus opening
- Restricted Jaw Movement
So these were some risks and disadvantages of removing wisdom teeth and that’s why experts now say not to remove your wisdom teeth. But if you are suffering from issues that make the extraction necessary then you can go for its alternatives.
Alternatives for Wisdom Teeth Removal
Honestly, medical science has not yet discovered a complete replacement for wisdom teeth extraction. However, some procedures can work as alternatives in certain conditions.
Here are treatments that can work as an alternative for wisdom teeth:
- Coronectomy – Coronectomy, this particular procedure removes the crown of the tooth and leaves the root in place. That helps deal with a wisdom tooth whose root is not infected which makes it a good alternative for removal.
- Operculectomy – When a wisdom tooth partially erupts gums tissues develop over it causing pain, discomfort, and inflammation. Operculectomy is the process that can help to remove those gum tissues and reduce the chances of extraction.
Apart from these some experts also rely on the repositioning method as an alternative to wisdom teeth removal.
Conclusion
Earlier it was believed that wisdom teeth were not suitable for modern human jaw structure as they were developed for ancestors with bigger jaws.
However, recent studies have debunked this myth and proved that not everyone experiences issues from wisdom teeth and it is suitable for smaller jaws even with less bite force. That’s why experts now say not to remove your wisdom teeth.
However, in certain circumstances, the extraction becomes important which comes with some complications. To avoid those complications you can visit Dr. Aishwarya’s Multispeciality Dental Clinic in Boring Road, Patna, especially if you are looking for wisdom teeth removal in Patna after 30 or 40.
At this clinic, you will get safe, effective treatment with a reasonable wisdom tooth removal cost. So, don’t wait to get the pain worse and book an appointment today!
