Ever thought about why we have wisdom teeth, those back molars? They might seem like trouble, but they were important for our ancestors. Let’s dive into the history of wisdom teeth, when they usually show up, why some folks don’t get them, and the issues they can cause. We’ll also discuss why some people decide to have them taken out.
Why do people have wisdom teeth?
Hiding in the deepest part of your jaw are your wisdom teeth. They’re like other back teeth and helped our caveman ancestors chew their tough diet of nuts, roots, and raw meat.
They didn’t cook much in the past, so they needed strong teeth to crush their food.
Their wide jaws easily held these extra teeth at the back, so it was no trouble. But now, we don’t really need these third molars.
We’ve come up with many ways to make food easier to chew. We cook our food and use utensils to cut it into small pieces, so wisdom teeth are not so useful anymore.
They’re like your appendix, a body part that doesn’t do much these days.
When do wisdom teeth typically come in?
Your wisdom teeth usually arrive well after the days of losing teeth for the tooth fairy, typically during high school graduation or the start of college.
Even though they emerge during your late teens or early twenties, their development starts much earlier, around 7 to 10 years old.
Once they form, they stay hidden in your jaw until they’re ready to come out.
So, if they begin developing when you’re a child, why does it take so long for them to appear?
The reason is space. Wisdom teeth require enough room in your jaw to grow, and a child’s jaw is usually too small.
As you get older, your jaw also grows bigger. So, in your early adult years, your jaws have more space for those third molars to come in.
You’ll start feeling some discomfort or gum pain at the back of your jaw when your wisdom teeth begin to emerge.
Typically, males get their wisdom teeth earlier than females, and those in the upper jaw usually show up first.
However, it can take several years for your wisdom teeth to come in fully.
Why do some people never have wisdom teeth?
Not everyone gets wisdom teeth. About 25% of people have 1-3 of these teeth, while about 35% don’t have any at all. Some experts think this is because our jaws are often too small to fit them properly. It might be that humans are evolving not to have wisdom teeth over time. This means that in the future, these teeth might disappear completely.
What makes wisdom teeth troublesome?
Wisdom teeth can lead to various problems, so many people decide to remove them before complications arise.
Impacted wisdom teeth are quite common, and other issues include overcrowding, gum disease, tooth decay, and infection.
The main cause of wisdom teeth problems is not having enough space to grow. When a wisdom tooth lacks room, it can get stuck in your jaw. Sometimes, they come out at an odd angle, which can harm your gums and other teeth.
In cases of overcrowded jaws, wisdom teeth can damage the enamel of nearby teeth. This can lead to serious problems like infections and tooth decay down the line.
While wisdom teeth can cause problems, they aren’t always troublesome. Some people have no issues with their third molars and can keep them.
Our ancestors needed wisdom teeth because they helped chew their tough diet, making swallowing and digesting food easier.
But nowadays, our meals are easier to eat, and our jaws have become smaller, so there’s often no space for wisdom teeth to come in.
Whether you decide to keep your wisdom teeth or have them taken out, one thing is certain – these molars have a fascinating history and still capture our curiosity today.
