Braces and Wisdom Teeth

[Can’t Stump TrumpParticipant]

In my youth I was told to get braces and have my wisdom teeth removed. I refused to do either one. Now whenever I go to the dentist (which is rare, I don’t trust dentists any more than doctors), I get nothing but compliments on how great my teeth are. I haven’t had any cavities since I was a kid and my teeth never give me any problems at all.

So what’s the deal with braces and wisdom teeth? I know full well that having wisdom teeth removed is absolutely necessary for some. I knew a guy whose wisdom teeth were splintering as they grew in; obviously he need them extracted. But it seems to be standard procedure for dentists to recommend you have your wisdom teeth out no matter what, even when they’re growing in just fine. To me, this looks like a scam.

If you have any thoughts about this, I’d like to hear them, especially if you have personal anecdotes or any expertise in this area.

Women are better at multitasking? Fucking up several things at once is not multitasking.

[MutineerParticipant 1467]

I was told i needed braces but didn’t get them. I could have had them free on the dear old NHS. I was apprehensive about getting them as i was being bullied at school and thought this would be more ammunition. The Orthodontist gave me time to think about it. I made my mind up in the car, about 2 minutes after the appointment, when my parents ridiculed me over the prospect of having them.

It was one of the worst decisions i ever made. I now have gaps between my teeth which allow the bacteria in and as a result i now have a mouthful of fillings.

"The secret to happiness is freedom... And the secret to freedom is courage." - Thucydides

[Faust For ScienceParticipant 22521]

Can’t Stump Trump wrote:

So what’s the deal with braces and wisdom teeth? I know full well that having wisdom teeth removed is absolutely necessary for some. I knew a guy whose wisdom teeth were splintering as they grew in; obviously he need them extracted. But it seems to be standard procedure for dentists to recommend you have your wisdom teeth out no matter what, even when they’re growing in just fine. To me, this looks like a scam.

Yes. It is a scam, but not in the way you think. I went to a dentist and he did not tell me the truth about my wisdom teeth until after those teeth had rotted. And then the teeth needed to be remove. I know the teeth were rotted because I got to look at the teeth after they were cut out.

I got to a different dentist now.

[Can’t Stump TrumpParticipant]

Mutineer wrote:

It was one of the worst decisions i ever made.

Really sorry to hear that! I’ve heard tooth problems are among the most painful.

Women are better at multitasking? Fucking up several things at once is not multitasking.

[MarketWatcherParticipant]

Can’t Stump Trump wrote:

To me, this looks like a scam

You have good vision! It is a scam. They pulled four of my wisdom teeth at age 25 because of a small abscess in one tooth. At 38 I had another abscess by my back molar. The solution? Antibiotics. Worst pain I have ever been through. When the infection cleared up my teeth seemed loose. Did the dentist care? Hell no. That was in 2014. Now my teeth have moved and the front row does not come together. I am afraid to see an orthodontist because I am sure that will be a futile effort as well. If you can keep all 32 teeth and don’t fall for it unless it is ABSOLUTLY necessary.

[NerevarParticipant 8040]

I had braces from my 13th ’til my 15th and they were necessary because of crooked teeth and gaps here and there. My teeth are perfectly straight and only have two fillings (the first when I was 21, the second when I was 25), and I’m really glad I got them braces. Was a real pain in the ass to eat for a few days after the orthodontist screwed them tighter, but it was worth it.

I had 6 wisdom teeth surgically removed about 1,5 month ago, which obviously resulted in a tough time trying to eat for 2 to 3 weeks or so, but I’m glad they’re out as well.

"One of the best things internet exposed is just how insane women are." - Freeman_K

[hollowtipsParticipant 681]

Different people have different jaws. I suppose theirs enough history of wisdom teeth growing in and f~~~ing up peoples teeth, but it’s become more common for them to never reach full maturity and break the skin in your gums so perhaps the removal practice is unnecessary. Either way its a great excuse for surgery for $$.

Braces I find tend to be more about looks the necessity. Some people actually have horrendous teeth but most people are fine with minor things that can be modified along with a over bite. But some argue that having an overbite naturally protects your teeth (I can’t remember the exact reason why off hand)

[Chris1234Participant 353]

I guess its different for everyone. I had shocking teeth and decided to get braces in my mid 20s. I had them for two years and had my wisdom teeth removed, I can easily say its one of the best things I have done, my teeth are now perfect, its fixed issues with my bite and it made a massive difference to my appearance so Im glad I did it.

[anonymousyamParticipant 4605]

Can’t Stump Trump wrote:

In my youth I was told to get braces and have my wisdom teeth removed. I refused to do either one. Now whenever I go to the dentist (which is rare, I don’t trust dentists any more than doctors), I get nothing but compliments on how great my teeth are. I haven’t had any cavities since I was a kid and my teeth never give me any problems at all.

I’m late to the party but my entire existence has been eating and drinking sugar and garbage yet i have not had one cavity for the almost 17 years i have existed.

I generally brushed my teeth once a day as a kid and i still brush once a day (i just now use mouthwash as well).

Just an east coast asshole who likes to curse, If you get offended by words like fuck, cunt, shit, piss, bitch or any racial slurs then you just scroll down.

[KeymasterKeymaster]

Can’t Stump Trump wrote:

So what’s the deal with braces and wisdom teeth?

My wisdom teeth needed to come out. They were painful. I also had braces in my teens, but I needed them and it was a big improvement.

I think dentists are crooks and recommend work that doesn’t need to be done. They CONSTANTLY insist on taking X-rays. I don’t permit it. They say I need to. I say no I don’t – not every 4-6 months – and remind them I’m just here for a cleaning. I actually had to say it out loud, “I am the customer and I just want my teeth cleaned today thankyouverymuch”.

I also can’t stand the way they “negotiate” the price of the work.

I sit in the chair.
He pokes around.
He LEAVES the room.
A women with a clipboard comes in and tells me I need a crown for $1200.
I object – and then she leaves, comes back and lowers the price!!!!! WTF???

I got up and left and got myself another dentist.

+ Two years ago the same dentist told me I needed some work on a tooth. I told him I was going to get another opinion. He didn’t like that. That tooth is still just fine and doesn’t give me any problems. It’s like they LOOK for reasons to drill holes in your face.

X-RAYS every 4 months? No way.

If you keep doing what you've always done... you're gonna keep getting what you always got.

[ABParticipant 762]

Mutineer wrote:

I was told i needed braces but didn’t get them. I could have had them free on the dear old NHS. I was apprehensive about getting them as i was being bullied at school and thought this would be more ammunition. The Orthodontist gave me time to think about it. I made my mind up in the car, about 2 minutes after the appointment, when my parents ridiculed me over the prospect of having them.

It was one of the worst decisions i ever made. I now have gaps between my teeth which allow the bacteria in and as a result i now have a mouthful of fillings.

Similar story here. I turned down braces, now I have an impacted tooth and a mouthful of fillings.

No-one's yet explained to me exactly what's so great // About slaving fifty years away on something that you hate // About meekly shuffling down the path of mediocrity // Well if that's your road then take it, but it's not the road for me.

[GrumpyParticipant]

Meh
I had a “killer” smile up until I hit 45, now I have a smile from the “Big Book of British Teeth”.
After attempting to eat a steel hatch ring at high speed at age 24, no amount of dental hygiene/remediation was going to stop my upper teeth from spreading apart over time (had something to do with fracturing my upper mouth).
Add in the removal of all my wisdom teeth and viola, I can floss my uppers with a 2×4.
In a few more years I suppose I’ll get dentures to “improve” my smile or get/employ some woman to pre-chew my food.

There was a time in my life when I gave a fuck. Now you have to pay ME for it

[Author]

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