Is it common practice to remove everyone's wisdom teeth?

Question

My orthodontist says they just remove all their patients' wisdom teeth at the age of 19 or so, even if they won't cause any problems or damage to other teeth, because it's difficult to brush and floss them so they get cavities more easily. Is that really a good enough reason to go through oral surgery? And if you brush and floss wisdom teeth carefully, isn't it possible to keep them just as clean as your other teeth?

Answer 1

Wisdom teeth usually cause no problems. They are described as impacted when there is not enough space for them at the back of the mouth. Impacted wisdom teeth can cause pain, swelling, infection or damage to the teeth next to them. If the gum around the wisdom tooth is swollen the jaw may become stiff and sore. Infection at the back of the mouth can cause bad breath and a bad taste.

That is why they are removed. They cause pain. Basically they are removed as a precaution against later complications. :)

Answer 2

YOU REALLY DON'T NEED THEM AND WON'T MISS THEM ONCE GONE.