Have you ever wondered why we have wisdom teeth? It’s not uncommon for individuals between the ages of 17 and 24 to feel these molars either erupting or pressing against healthy teeth. The discomfort these teeth can cause often leads to wisdom tooth extractions, which may not be something you want to endure, but the reality is that they’re not necessary, and removing them can improve your oral health for the future. But why do they exist if they have no real purpose? Read on to learn how these third molars were once essential to early civilizations.
Why Do We Have Wisdom Teeth?
Although they do not serve a purpose nowadays, wisdom teeth were once vital to early humans getting the nutrients their bodies needed to live.
Early civilizations didn’t have the luxuries of microwaves and ovens to cook their food. They also didn’t have utensils to cut their meat. Instead, their teeth were used to tear and gnaw through tough, dense meats, making them easier to break down and digest. As a result, these wisdom teeth gave more power to make eating raw foods easier.
Most diets during this time consisted of nuts, berries, leaves, roots, and raw meat, so having durable teeth was essential if one was to eat and live.
What’s the Meaning Behind Their Name?
Wisdom teeth might seem like an odd name when referring to a set of teeth. This is especially true since they erupt when a person is in their late teens or early-20s. Believing in the saying that “with age comes wisdom,” it might not make much sense, but since they were once vital at a time when lifespans were not very long, there may be some truth to that saying for those early humans.
What Changed to Make These Teeth No Longer Necessary?
Over time, the jaw of our ancestors began to shrink. As diets improved, wisdom teeth were no longer used to break down raw and otherwise, hard-to-eat foods.
Today, the meals we ingest are often cooked, steamed, or boiled, and we can cut up most items so that they are easier to consume. As a result, our wisdom teeth have no real significant use. Instead, they take up valuable space and often leave us in pain.
As they tend to erupt or become evident between the ages of 17 and 24, these teeth do not have the same kind of room as they once did among early humans. As the jawbone shrank over time, it eliminated the available space needed for these teeth. This is why most dentists will recommend removing them before they have the chance to negatively impact the rest of your natural smile.
Wisdom teeth may no longer be essential to living these days, but you can’t stop them from making their appearance when it’s time. Instead, you can talk to your dentist about what they can do to ensure your smile stays healthy well into the future.
About the Author
Dr. L. Blaine Kennington is an experienced dentist who enjoys helping patients achieve the smiles they deserve. Should wisdom teeth extractions be necessary, he and his team will implement safe and effective techniques to carefully remove these third molars and create a healthier smile for the future. If you need to have your wisdom teeth removed, contact our office at (360) 703-9092.