Our wisdom teeth (also known as our third molars) are believed to have been used by our ancestors in the past, when they ate a diet much less soft and processed than our own. It was believed that the additional teeth allowed them to chew and grind down the tougher food they ate.
In addition, the jaw sizes of early humans could accommodate those extra teeth.
Today, however, with the abundance of processed food, our jaws have evolved to become smaller and the need for wisdom teeth has become obsolete. Additionally, due to overcrowding, wisdom teeth often cause a number of dental problems, such as pain, visible swelling, and difficulty opening the mouth.
Despite the inconveniences that wisdom teeth may cause, our bodies still continue to produce them, which has led to speculation as to why. While the exact reason remains unknown, there are those who believe that wisdom teeth may still play a role in our bodies and may be necessary for proper bone and jaw development that can help prevent other dental problems.
For the time being, it is believed that wisdom teeth may remain a mystery as to why they are still present in our human bodies – even though they are most often extracted when they cause issues.
Do wisdom teeth have a purpose?
Yes, wisdom teeth do have a purpose. Historically, wisdom teeth were used to help humans with their diets once they transitioned to an agricultural way of life. This meant that our jaws were now able to handle much harder and tougher foods, such as grains and seeds, and our wisdom teeth were used to help grind and chew these foods.
Today, wisdom teeth are often no longer necessary due to advancements in dental care and technology, as well as changes to our diets. One of the most common reasons why wisdom teeth are removed is because they may not fully erupt.
When this happens, the teeth can remain trapped beneath the gum, leading to the formation of cysts or abscesses that can lead to damage of other teeth or the surrounding tissue.
Wisdom teeth can also stay impacted, or blocked, if the mouth does not have enough room. If impacted wisdom teeth are not treated, it can sometimes lead to infection, crowding of other teeth, as well as possible damage to the underlying jawbone.
Why do humans not need wisdom teeth?
Humans typically do not need wisdom teeth because human jaws have evolved over time to become smaller and more efficient, leaving less space for the third molars (or wisdom teeth) to properly erupt. As our diets have evolved, there is also less need for wisdom teeth to help grind our food.
For example, grinding meat would have been a common activity centuries ago, but is much less common today.
In some cases, wisdom teeth may become impacted, meaning they may not have enough room to properly emerge from the gum. Impacted wisdom teeth can cause pain, swelling, and other complications. In order to prevent this, impacted teeth may need to be surgically removed.
This is why wisdom teeth removal is often encouraged for those without enough space for the third molars to properly emerge.
Is it good to keep your wisdom teeth?
Whether or not it is good to keep your wisdom teeth depends on a few factors. If your wisdom teeth are healthy, don’t cause any pain or discomfort, and erupt properly, then it might be best to keep them.
On the other hand, if your wisdom teeth don’t erupt properly, they may not be properly functioning, and can cause crowding, infection, and damage to surrounding teeth. In this case, it would be recommended to have them extracted.
In any case, it is important to speak with your dentist or oral surgeon to find out what option is best for you.
Is it rare to have all 4 wisdom teeth?
It is more common than not to have all four wisdom teeth, although the size and shape of each individual’s teeth may vary. Generally, the average person will have four wisdom teeth, with two on the top and two on the bottom.
However, because wisdom teeth are often impacted or partially erupted, a person may appear to only have one or two wisdom teeth. It is also possible to have five or six rather than the usual four wisdom teeth, which means that you could end up with more than the usual amount.
Additionally, some people may be born missing some or all of their wisdom teeth, while others may not get their wisdom teeth until they are much older. Therefore, it is not particularly rare to have all four wisdom teeth, but it is also not extraordinary to have fewer or more than four.
Is it OK if you don’t remove wisdom teeth?
It is generally okay to not remove wisdom teeth, although there are some possible risks associated with leaving them in your mouth. For example, there is a risk of cysts or tumors forming in the area where the wisdom teeth are impacted.
In addition, the adjacent teeth may become misaligned, which could lead to gum disease, dental decay, and infection if the teeth came in improperly. Lastly, if the wisdom teeth partially erupt, food and bacteria can become trapped and cause further issues.
If you choose to not remove your wisdom teeth, it is important to have regular check-ups with your dentist to monitor their growth and potential risk of infection.
What happens if you leave wisdom teeth in too long?
If wisdom teeth are left in too long, it can lead to a range of dental issues. When the teeth remain in the mouth, the wisdom teeth can become impacted and cause pain, swelling, and infection. When this occurs, the surrounding teeth often become crowded and can become misaligned.
In extreme cases, the pressure from an impacted wisdom tooth can even cause damage to the jawbone and nerves. Additionally, the partial eruption of wisdom teeth can lead to food, bacteria, and other debris collecting in the pockets between the teeth and gums, resulting in gum disease.
Removing wisdom teeth as soon as they are identified can help alleviating these problems.
Will humans eventually not have wisdom teeth?
It is highly possible that humans may eventually not have wisdom teeth. Recent research has shown that as evolutionary adaptations strengthen over time, certain features weaken and/or disappear. This appears to be the case with wisdom teeth, as more and more people are reaching adulthood without these teeth.
Studies suggest that wisdom teeth, which were once important for chewing fibre-rich diets of early humans, have become obsolete due to the dietary and lifestyle changes of modern humans. As dietary preferences change, so do the oral structures.
With most people consuming a diet of softer, processed foods, wisdom teeth are no longer necessary and put unnecessary strain on the jaw and other teeth.
Most wisdom teeth are extracted to help prevent dental issues such as overcrowding, gum disease and jaw pain. In the future, wisdom teeth may no longer be necessary and, thus, be gradually forgotten.
However, there are no definitive predictions as to when or if wisdom teeth may ever become obsolete.
Why are wisdom teeth so problematic?
Wisdom teeth are so problematic because they are the last or most posterior teeth to erupt into the mouth. This means that they are the last teeth to develop, often erupting long after the other teeth in a person’s mouth have already been established and aligned.
In addition, as the jawbone has likely matured, often there is not enough room at the back of the jaw for the wisdom teeth to erupt without causing problems – such as crowding, misalignment and impaction of the teeth in other teeth or the jawbone.
Wisdom teeth can also be tricky to clean, leaving them more prone to tooth decay. In some cases, the position of the wisdom teeth can affect the surrounding healthy teeth and the health of the gum tissue, leading to gum disease.
Because of these risks, wisdom teeth are often best removed to avoid problems.
What triggers wisdom teeth to grow?
Wisdom teeth, or third molars, usually appear between the ages of 17 and 21. They are the last teeth in the back of the mouth to erupt, and they often cause problems in the process. The specific timing of eruption depends on a variety of factors, including hereditary factors and environmental conditions.
Hereditary factors play the most important role in the growth of wisdom teeth. Studies have shown that certain factors like ethnicity, gender, parental history, and tooth size may influence the time when wisdom teeth begin to grow.
For instance, Caucasian people have been found to have larger mouths and teeth, which can cause the eruption of wisdom teeth to start slightly earlier than other races.
In addition to hereditary factors, environmental conditions can also influence the timing of wisdom teeth eruption. Stress, illness, trauma, and nutrition all have a role in activating eruption. For instance, an imbalanced diet or improper nutrition can affect the growth of wisdom teeth.
Studies have also suggested that high levels of stress have an impact on the eruption of wisdom teeth.
Overall, there is no single factor that triggers wisdom teeth to grow. Instead, a combination of hereditary factors and environmental conditions are believed to be responsible for their timing of eruption.
What are signs you need your wisdom teeth pulled?
Some signs that you may need your wisdom teeth pulled include swelling or pain in the back of the mouth, difficulty opening your mouth wide, frequent headaches or ear pain in the back of your head, regular bad breath, discomfort when biting and chewing food, and swollen or red gums.
Other signs to pay attention to are difficulty cleaning the back teeth, a bad taste in the mouth, or if an X-ray of your teeth reveals wisdom teeth that are growing in crookedly or not growing in at all.
If you experience any of these signs, it is important to seek medical advice from your dentist to determine if wisdom tooth extraction is necessary. During your appointment, your dentist will also be able to answer any questions you have about the procedure and what to expect after surgery.
What is the oldest age you can get wisdom teeth?
As it varies from person to person. Typically, wisdom teeth emerge between the ages of 17 and 25. Some people never develop wisdom teeth, while others may get them earlier or later in life. In some cases, wisdom teeth may not even emerge until the age of 30 or beyond.
The average age range for getting wisdom teeth is typically between 17-21 years of age, although it can vary depending on the individual’s genetics, physical maturity, and size of the jaws. Generally, but not always, the older you are, the less likely it is that you will develop wisdom teeth.
How long does it take for wisdom teeth to fully erupt?
The timeline for wisdom teeth eruption can vary significantly from person to person, with some having all four fully emerged in their mouth after a few months, while others take up to two years for each tooth to appear.
The average age for wisdom teeth eruption is 17-25, although they can start to emerge at any age – even in adulthood. Generally, it takes roughly 8-12 weeks for a wisdom tooth to fully erupt, however, once erupted it might take a few more weeks for the tooth to fully settle in the correct position within the jawbone.
Some people never have their wisdom teeth fully develop and erupt, or for others the wisdom teeth may be malpositioned and unable to emerge. Determining how long it takes for wisdom teeth to fully erupt is an individual experience, but it is important to monitor the eruption and ensure the teeth aren’t impacting other teeth in the mouth or causing painful thorough.
What percentage of people have 4 wisdom teeth?
The exact percentage of people who have four wisdom teeth is not known, however it is estimated that between 70 and 80 percent of people have at least one wisdom tooth. It is also estimated that of the population who has at least one wisdom tooth, 17 to 28 percent have all four.
So, if we do the math, it can be estimated that around 12 to 22 percent of the population has all four wisdom teeth. Additionally, some individuals may have fewer than four wisdom teeth, and some may have more.
It is also important to note that not everyone has their wisdom teeth erupt and that some may remain impacted or even under the gum line for their entire life.
Should all wisdom teeth be removed?
When it comes to deciding whether or not to have your wisdom teeth removed, there is no single answer that is correct for everyone. Ultimately, it is important to consult with your dentist to decide what is best for your individual needs.
It is important to consider several factors such as your age, the location of your wisdom teeth and the potential risk factors.
For those who already have their wisdom teeth, it is important to visit your dentist regularly for check-ups so your dentist can assess whether or not the teeth are causing any health issues. Depending on the unique situation, your dentist may recommend removal if your teeth are crowding other teeth, posing a risk of infection, or if they have grown in at an awkward angle that may make cleaning them difficult or ineffective.
If your teeth are healthy, however, removal of the wisdom teeth may not be necessary. In some cases, the wisdom teeth may eventually help fill in gaps in the jaw, increasing in value and contributing to the strength of your teeth and your overall health.
For those who have not yet developed their wisdom teeth, it is important to get an x-ray done to see if they are developing in a healthy position and angle. Depending on the results from the x-ray, your dentist may decide that removal may be the best approach.
Overall, every situation is different and it is important to get regular check-ups with your dentist and carefully consider the potential risks and benefits of removal, especially for those who already have established their wisdom teeth.