Wisdom Teeth Extraction

Although the popularity of prophylactic wisdom teeth removal – one of the most asinine and antediluvian practices in modern medicine – has declined in recent years, it is still routinely performed by dentists and oral/maxillofacial surgeons (in more complex cases) who persuade credulous and medically uninformed patients of its necessity.

Allopathy categorizes third molars (wisdom teeth) as vestigial organs. In medical parlance, this means that the organ has lost most, or all, of its original function. In reality, however, it signifies scientific nescience regarding the organ’s role. This erroneous supposition stems from a myopic understanding of human anatomy, physiology, and the holistic, intricate nature of the human body as an integrated biological system. The appendix and tonsils have been subject to the same allopathic ignorance, which dismissed them as purposeless, resulting in millions of needless appendectomies and tonsillectomies. Fortunately, as Western medical understanding expands, these misconceptions are slowly being dispelled.

From an anatomical and physical perspective, wisdom teeth are vital, as they help maintain the natural structure and alignment of the mouth, preserve jawbone density, and provide a larger chewing surface for masticating food. On the more subtle energetic level, third molars reside on the same meridian (an internal “energy circuit”) as the heart, small intestine, and anterior pituitary gland, and thus have a strong connection to these particular organs.

A major shift in third molar extraction protocols came in 2000 with a landmark guideline issued by the UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, declaring routine prophylactic removal of disease-free impacted wisdom teeth unnecessary. This was a sensible conclusion, for few medical interventions are as irrational and outright idiotic as the surgical excision of organs or tissue “just in case.”

Are there times when it is sensible to subject oneself, or one’s offspring, to the traumatic process of third molar extraction? Certainly. However, in the vast majority of situations, the practice is utterly asinine and pointless – it is a waste of health, money, energy, and time. In cases where the molars have become a source of chronic pain, inflammation, or significant discomfort, or are damaging the jaw, getting them taken out may be logical and prudent. Although even in some of these scenarios, my initial instinct would be to resort to Nature and the cornucopia of biocompatible remedies it provides.

Personally, I avoid hospitals, clinics, and doctors, including dentists (DDSs, DMDs, etc.). My last visit to a dental office was in 2008 to remove a mercury filling that was placed in my mouth during my sophomore year of high school by a benighted DDS. Nearly two decades ago, I intentionally chose to take total responsibility for my health, including my oral health, and besides a badly sprained ankle a few years ago that landed me in the Cedars-Sinai Emergency Room for an x-ray, I have had no need to avail myself of the services of the medical establishment. I stay on top of my oral health by utilizing non-toxic products and modalities, eschewing plaque-promoting and cariogenic processed and ultra-processed foods and beverages, and steadfastly adhering to a whole-food, plant-based diet.

The removal of amalgams requires specialized, meticulous handling, as they release high levels of toxic mercury vapor when drilled into (heat exposure and chewing also induce substantial vapor release). It is therefore crucial that silver filling removal be performed, as it was in my case, by a certified holistic or biological dental practitioner. Admittedly, holistic dentists are significantly more costly than conventional ones, however, their protocols and practices are considerably less detrimental to health, in both the short and long term.

Returning to the matter at hand…

“Ten million third molars (wisdom teeth) are extracted from approximately 5 million people in the United States each year at an annual cost of over $3 billion. In addition, more than 11 million patient days of “standard discomfort or disability”—pain, swelling, bruising, and malaise—result postoperatively, and more than 11000 people suffer permanent paresthesia—numbness of the lip, tongue, and cheek—as a consequence of nerve injury during the surgery. At least two thirds of these extractions, associated costs, and injuries are unnecessary, constituting a silent epidemic of iatrogenic injury that afflicts tens of thousands of people with lifelong discomfort and disability.” — Jay W Friedman, The Prophylactic Extraction of Third Molars: A Public Health Hazard, American Journal of Public Health (2007)

Wisdom teeth extraction is immensely traumatic, both physically and psychologically, and should only be performed in cases of absolute necessity. One of the most common risks associated with the procedure is nerve damage (which can be temporary, long-term, or permanent) and the resultant numbness of the mouth. Other potential complications include blood vessel damage (leading to significant/prolonged bleeding), bone fractures, dry sockets, cavitations (holes in the jawbone), infection, and damage to nearby teeth, to name but a few.

If a person starts to develop symptoms and extraction becomes inevitable, there are a few things that can be done to mitigate the deleterious effects of the procedure and assist the body in the healing process. Firstly, I recommend consuming one teaspoon of activated charcoal combined with eight ounces of purified water immediately before the procedure, another serving immediately afterward, and one serving daily for the subsequent seven days. This helps reduce the injurious impact of anesthesia by accelerating its elimination from the body’s circulatory system. In fact, activated charcoal should be taken following any procedure that involves the use of synthetic anesthetic agents.

Secondly, I recommend consuming pureed fresh pineapple combined with pureed fresh turmeric root. This particular blend possesses potent anti-inflammatory properties, helping to attenuate pain, reduce swelling, and accelerate the healing of the gums and bone.

Another must-do is daily saltwater rinses. These can be prepared by stirring one-half teaspoon of raw, unrefined sea salt into a cup of warm purified water until dissolved, taking a mouthful of the mixture, and gently swishing it around for approximately 30 seconds. These rinses should be performed thrice daily. Raw sea salt acts as a natural microbial inhibitor that reduces the risk of post-extraction infection and promotes proper regeneration of the extraction-site tissues.

If pain persists or becomes more pronounced, one can apply a few drops of clove oil to an organic cotton pad and place the pad against the surrounding gums. Clove is a natural analgesic and anesthetic and is highly effective for pain reduction.

Last but not least, notwithstanding the cost, I would definitely opt for a holistic/biological dentist who will make the procedure as minimally invasive as possible and incorporate modalities such as ozone and platelet-rich fibrin (PRF).

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