People only get their wisdom teeth out if they are causing problems in the first place. I got mine pulled because there was no room in my jaw for them, AND they were aimed sideways! I had already had four teeth pulled on my orthodontists's orders then because I have large teeth and a narrow jaw, so they just didn't all fit! So when he x-rayed, and saw the position my wisdoms were in, he said "Yank them now while they'd don;t hurt, or you'll STILL have to get them pulled in 5 years and you'd get braces all over again!

You probably just have better teeth than your cousins. Two people can have the same brushing habbits, but one inherited stronger teeth, and maybe eats better than the other, so will have less problems, that's MY theory. Going to the dentist does not damage your teeth, they are very careful to not damage the enamel of your teeth - unless you have an incompetent dentist. And if it hurts for months afterward, you might have some gum disease that should be taken care of now, before it causes problems later!