Is it necessary to take a human's wisdom teeth out?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the necessity of removing human wisdom teeth, exploring various reasons for extraction and personal experiences related to their presence in the mouth. The scope includes dental health considerations and opinions from both patients and dental professionals.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that wisdom teeth should only be removed if they cause problems or if there is insufficient space in the mouth for them.
  • One participant expresses personal comfort with their wisdom teeth but questions whether the difficulty in cleaning them, as noted by their dentist, justifies extraction.
  • A later reply references an earlier thread and outlines specific situations where removal is recommended, including impaction, susceptibility to infections, improper positioning, and the presence of opposing extracted teeth.
  • It is noted that difficulty in cleaning wisdom teeth can lead to increased risk of gum disease, which some participants consider a valid reason for extraction.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on whether wisdom teeth must be removed, with multiple competing views on the necessity and justification for extraction based on individual circumstances.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include varying definitions of "bad" wisdom teeth, differing opinions on dental health risks, and the subjective nature of personal comfort with wisdom teeth.

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Is it necessary to take a human's wisdom teeth out?
 
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Only if they are somehow bad, or you mouth hasen't enough room for them.
 
I feel fine with them but the dentist thinks I should take them out because they are hard to clean. Is that good enough reason to take them out?
 
You may be interested in reading an earlier biology thread on wisdom teeth.
I feel fine with them but the dentist thinks I should take them out because they are hard to clean. Is that good enough reason to take them out?
You may want to ask another dentist for a 2nd opinion.

Must wisdom teeth come out? This http://au.health.yahoo.com/041101/25/1ui5.html?r=967673125 points to 4 situations where they recommend having them removed: [1] when impacted, [2] if you are prone to pericoronitis (infection of the gum near a partially erupted wisdom tooth),[3] if they are coming in the wrong position (making cleaning difficult) and [4] when they are opposite an already pulled wisdom tooth.

Note that one of these reasons does recommend pulling them when they are difficult to clean. If they cannot sufficiently clean off the plaque (bacteria), you will be more prone to http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/gingivitis/DS00363.
 
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