{"id":7203,"date":"2016-01-29T10:27:26","date_gmt":"2016-01-29T18:27:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.lee.org\/blog\/?p=7203"},"modified":"2021-09-24T08:04:40","modified_gmt":"2021-09-24T15:04:40","slug":"wisdom-teeth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lee.org\/blog\/2016\/01\/29\/wisdom-teeth\/","title":{"rendered":"Wisdom Teeth"},"content":{"rendered":"

Short form: 2\/3 of wisdom teeth removals are unnecessary and dentists don’t really want you to know.\"tooth\"<\/a><\/p>\n

In about 1999 I had a wisdom tooth removed because the gum had gotten infected, inflamed, and painful. The dentist suggested I get all of my wisdom teeth out “because it would be better in the long run.” I declined, just getting the one tooth removed.<\/p>\n

In about 2003 I had a new dentist after moving. I remember the intake form had this on it:<\/p>\n

Do you still have your wisdom teeth?
\nYes |\u00a0No
\nIf so, why?<\/p>\n

The answer I wrote was “because I use my teeth\u00a0to chew my food<\/strong>“. Of course, the intake form question lead to a discussion with the dentist. I had this crazy belief that nature wouldn’t create a system where every human was better off if they had four serious dental surgeries as a matter of course.<\/p>\n

I was incensed. This question, delivered by a board certified professional dentist practically stated that it was wrong of me to have wisdom teeth. The follow-up is of course, “…and you know, we can fix that problem for you.” It’s like bringing your car in for an oil change and having the mechanic tell you that your confabulator needs realigning, and if you don’t get it done soon, well, who knows what will happen! I’m allergic to professionals using Fear, uncertainty, and doubt<\/a> on me. I didn’t go back. I thought about blogging about it back then but who has time for that junk?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Well, I just came across this article more-or-less confirming my suspicions<\/a>. It says about 2\/3 of wisdom teeth shouldn’t be removed. \u00a0But don’t believe the article<\/a>, believe the links the author shows us…<\/p>\n