Berkeley Parents Network: Wisdom Teeth

Berkeley Parents Network

Wisdom Teeth

Berkeley Parents Network > Advice > Advice about Health > Wisdom Teeth

Keep wisdom teeth?

Jan 2003

Are there advantages to keeping your wisdom teeth if possible? For example, putting in a bridge if needed down the road. My little sister is considering removal at age 19, the oral surgeon says they're impacted, but I'm not sure what the consequences could be down the line if she leaves them in. Kristine

Are your sister's impacted wisdom teeth bothering her? I too have my upper wisdom teeth impacted so that they have never ''come in.'' However, they have never bothered me. At the time this was discovered when I was 24 thank heavens I had an honest, sensible dentist (Dr. Pralle) who told me that if they never bothered me I should just keep them in place. I later heard that having wisdom teeth pulled can cause long term shifting of the teeth so that one is more likely to start losing them in middle/old age. So I'd say unless there is a specific problem (pain, absesses), just keep those teeth in place. Dianna

FWIW, I kept my wisdom teeth and it is something of a mixed blessing. There was room for them but my mouth is now so full of teeth, going so far back in my mouth, that the wisdom teeth are more susceptible to decay (because there is so little space between teeth and the jaw joint, and food tends to collect in there.) I had a cavity filled in one of them recently and it was NOT a fun experience. If your sister's teeth are impacted, she may not really have choice but to have them out. If she keeps them, it's not necessarily unadulterated joy. Wendy

For what it's worth, I was told that one of my wisdom teeth was impacted and I should have it surgically removed. That was about 20 years ago.I'm almost 50 and it's still sitting up there minding it's own business. I've heard horror stories about wisdom teeth, so it's hard to know what decision to make, but my feelings are ''If it ain't broke, don't fix it''. I have another wisdom tooth that grew down and took the place of a molar that had to be pulled, years ago. Good luck on your decision. anon

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