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Wisdom tooth extraction is a multibillion-dollar industry driven by myths that continue to be spread by the conventional dental profession for immense profit.
Over Spring Break during my senior year in college, I endured wisdom tooth extraction like just about everyone else I knew my age. To top it off, the dentist knocked me out for the procedure instead of using a simple local anesthetic plus laughing gas.
Needless to say, I spent most of my vacation on the living room couch with my mouth loaded with gauze! Recovery from the anesthesia caused even more complications.
Prior to surgery, were my wisdom teeth infected or painful in any way?
No.
Were they causing any sort of problems for me whatsoever?
No.
Then why in the world did I have them out you might ask?
Good question!
As it turns out, over two-thirds of cases of wisdom tooth extraction are completely unnecessary says Dr. Jay Friedman DDS in a study published in the American Journal of Public Health.
Of the approximately 5 million people who endure wisdom tooth extraction each year, 11,000 suffer what’s called “permanent paresthesia” which is a fancy name for numbness of the lip, tongue, and cheek resulting from nerve damage during the surgery.
The problem is, wisdom tooth extraction is quite the little oil well of profit for dentists with the costs of such surgeries topping 3 billion US$ each and every year.
Sounds like the standard practice of wisdom tooth extraction is a bit like “finding and filling” cavities that don’t exist, doesn’t it?
Ah, yes. There’s the rub.
According to Dr. Friedman:
Third-molar surgery is a multibillion-dollar industry that generates significant income for the dental profession, particularly oral and maxillofacial surgeons. It is driven by misinformation and myths that have been exposed before but that continue to be promulgated by the profession.
Dr. Friedman goes on to dismantle in very compelling fashion the 5 myths of wisdom tooth extraction.
Myth #1: Most Wisdom Teeth Cause Problems
The truth is that only 12% of wisdom teeth actually cause an acute issue somewhere down the road that requires the attention of a dentist to resolve.
This is about the same rate as appendicitis, but people do not routinely and preventively have their appendix removed like what happens with wisdom teeth!
Myth #2: Early Wisdom Tooth Extraction is Less Traumatic
The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons recommends the extraction of all 4 wisdom teeth by early adulthood before the roots are fully formed to minimize any chance of infection and pain.
The truth is that this early removal of wisdom teeth is actually much more traumatic than a wait and see approach which leaves asymptomatic wisdom teeth in place and only removes them if pathology develops in the future.
Further, complications from wisdom tooth extraction which include dry socket, secondary infection, and paresthesia (numbness of the lip, tongue, and cheek) are less likely to occur in an older patient than an adolescent.
Myth #3: Erupting Wisdom Teeth Crowd Anterior Teeth
Dr. Friedman writes that it is simply not possible for wisdom teeth to crowd 14 other teeth with firm vertical roots.
There is simply not enough force to do so and multiple studies support this fact.
Myth #4: Risk of Problems Increases With Age
A study of 1756 people who kept their wisdom teeth for an average of 27 years found that less than 1% experienced any cyst formation.
There is zero evidence to support the unsubstantiated claim by the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons which states that problems with impacted wisdom teeth increase with age.
Myth #5: Risk of Harm is Small
The list of potential complications from wisdom tooth extraction is long.
- Pain
- Swelling
- Trismus (lockjaw)
- Hemorrhage
- Alveolar osteitis (dry socket)
- Periodontal damage
- Soft-tissue infection
- Injury to temporomandibular joint
- Malaise
- Temporary paresthesia (numbness of the lips, tongue, and cheek)
- Permanent paresthesia
- Fracture of adjacent teeth
- Fracture of the mandible
- Fracture of the maxilla
- Sinus exposure or infection
- Anesthetic complications
Even in cases where there are absolutely no complications whatsoever, wisdom tooth extraction requires 3 days of discomfort and disability while the patient recovers from surgery.
Given that no more than 12% of wisdom teeth ever cause any problems whatsoever at any point down the road, the risk of removal seems great in comparison.
Skip The Surgery!
So, if your dentist tells you or your child that it’s time for those wisdom teeth to come out when they aren’t causing any trouble at all, just politely smile, say “uh, no thanks”, and go home.
You just saved yourself a rather large chunk of change my friend.
Even in cases where you must remove the wisdom teeth, there is no need for antibiotics in most cases. A biological dentist has natural approaches to protect a patient from infection without destruction of the gut with meds.
Which Dentists Won’t Pressure You To Remove Wisdom Teeth?
If you are getting pressured to remove your child’s wisdom teeth, know that a biological dentist does not do this!
I get many requests about who I recommend as a truly holistic, biological dentist who understands the value to long-term health of the wisdom teeth and WON’T take them out unless absolutely necessary.
I recommend Dr. Carlo Litano of Natural-Smiles.com – (727) 300-0044.
He sees young children as well as adults and does phone consultations to help guide those who don’t live near his office. Be sure to tell Dr. Litano that Sarah, The Healthy Home Economist sent you and get 10% off your first visit!
Reference
American Journal of Public Health, Prophylactic Extraction of Third Molars: A Public Health Hazard, Jay Friedman DDS
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10 Signs Your Dentist is Truly Holistic
Avoiding Root Canals with Diet Alone
Could the Cause of Your Illness Be Right Under Your Nose?
Help! My dentist doesn’t listen to me. Another doctor told me yesterday that I had an infection on my fourth wisdom tooth. I’ve never removed them, but I scheduled an appointment to extract it this morning. However the anesthesia was the worst pain I have ever experienced in my life. I have had other extractions and I suffer enfometriosis, I know pain and I actually consider myself very brave when facing it. But the anesthesia shot hurt as hell and it’s been two hours and still does. She just thought I was a spoiled crying girl, but this is killing me. I never cry, yet today I haven’t stopped. Please help me find a solution, I can’t stand it anymore. Half of my face is super swollen, my jaw has been trembling non stop, and the pain doesn’t go anywhere. I was very relaxed this morning, I seriously don’t know what went wrong or how to fix this, if possible without extracting the tooth since I am now very anxious about the procedure.
I was specifically told that I do not have enough room for my wisdom teeth to grow in. Is this another myth, or does this indicate that I am part of that 12%?
While you’re at it, be wary of the danger of your toncils,gull blader’spleen,apendix, your hair and “pull it”. Did the creator do all that?
Honestly most dentistry seems unnecessary. They tried to sell me some kind of ‘seal your teeth in plastic’ nonsense. It’s also funny how they conveniently don’t spread around knowledge of osteocytes and their role in maintaining and repairing small damage to enamel. Because that would then fly in the face of a lot of the unnecessary procedures they attempt to sell you.
Then again I’m lucky, I’m one of those people with an immunity to tooth decay bacteria. but then apparently we’re more likely to develop head and neck cancers, so.. whatever.
Hi Sarah,
How long was the vacation? I’m about to have a little complicated wisdom tooth extraction and my vacation is ending soon, and I wouldn’t want to have any issues by then!
Thanks
I have had at least 2 dentists tell me I needed to have my wisdom teeth pulled even though there was no crowding, decay or any other problems. I could not see the sense in having perfectly good teeth pulled and opted to not do so. I am 58 years old, still have all my wisdom teeth and, whenever I see a new hygienist, they always act surprised that I still have them. I was told that due to difficulty reaching my wisdom teeth that I would end up with cavities. I do not and never have had any difficulty when it came to brushing/flossing so that excuse just didn’t fly.
I just had my 14-year-old at the dentist today and they did X-rays. No problems with his teeth (I give him D3/K2) but they noted that his wisdom teeth looked like they were coming in at an angle and said next summer they wanted to refer him to an oral surgeon. I’m thinking–not if I can help it!
Any recommendations?
Hi Alexandra,
Have you seen the x-rays? If the w.teeth are really coming in at an angle then that’s one of the cases they should be removed, otherwise they’d cause damage to the next teeth.
I didn’t get my wisdom teeth removed as they never bothered me. They came in no problem. Then in my mid 30’s I noticed some of my teeth were starting to really stick out and other become crooked. I compared to pictures from several years before and there was a very noticeable difference. My wisdom teeth were pushing on all my teeth and messing them up. So I had to have them pulled. I wish I had done it before they messed up my teeth. I now am self conscious of my smile and all I see in photos is my crooked sticking out teeth.
I recommend listening to professionals and your body, rather than internet ‘professionals’. I have three wisdom teeth and am removing them one at a time. It is very easy, nothing to worry over if you have a good dentist. Don’t ever be scared. Do what is best for you, always. Be wary of the dangers of leaving wisdom teeth in your mouth.
I have only read a few responses to this article and just wanted say a few things. If you are having issues with your wisdom teeth then take care of the problem. This article is about NOT fixing them if there is no problem. It is a money maker when they do procedures that are not causing problems and don’t need to be done. If all they had to do was pull your problem wisdom tooth without cutting into the gum which would be considered surgery is why you pay less. Once they start cutting is when it gets expensive and usually has to be covered under medical and not dental and that would also require you meeting your deductible first before insurance benifit picks up. I was told to have my teenage daughter’s wisdom teeth taken out because they are impacted but only one looks a little off so I put it off 2 years ago and started looking into it again recently. I have come to the conclusion that it is an unnecessary procedure for something that is not causing her any problems and an unnecessary expense as this procedure is going to cost about $1,000 under medical due to it is oral surgery under our medical / dental plan. We will take care of her wisdom teeth if and when there is a need to do so. I did not have mine out till in my 30’s due to headaches that I later found out was caused by allergies and not my teeth 🙁 My kids and I go to the dentist twice a year for regular cleanings and check ups and have or had braces. Just take care of your teeth and fix things when fixing is needed.