Pulling Wisdom Teeth May Improve Gum Health
February 6, 2009

by Nancy Volkers
InteliHealth News Service

INTELIHEALTH - Removing wisdom teeth might improve early periodontal (gum) disease, a study suggests.

Researchers from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, did the study. It involved 69 people who had at least two wisdom teeth removed. Dentists often call these teeth "third molars."

Before the teeth were removed, about half the people in the study had early periodontal disease around the back sides of their second molars. The second molars sit just in front of the wisdom teeth.

People who had their lower wisdom teeth taken out were less likely to still have periodontal disease nine months later. Only 2 out of 10 people had it, compared with nearly 7 out of 10 people who did not have teeth removed.

The average age of the people in the study was 26.

Many people get their wisdom teeth removed in their late teens. But in some people, the wisdom teeth don't cause problems. Still, some dentists suggest removing them anyway. Because they are far back in the mouth, they can be harder to reach.

This study showed that gum health improved right away after extraction. The patients were followed for about nine months.

The study does not show whether removing wisdom teeth improves gum health of nearby teeth for a longer period of time. Periodontal disease takes many years to develop.

The study appears in the February issue of the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.