The wisdom teeth are the third set of molars, which are located at the very back of the mouth. For many people, these teeth must be extracted in order to solve or prevent painful oral health complications. That raises an obvious question: If wisdom teeth usually need to be removed, why do humans have them to begin with? Continue reading to find out.
The Story Behind Wisdom Teeth
Most scientists agree that wisdom teeth exist because of the diet of some of the earliest human ancestors. They consumed a lot of tough foods, including chewy meats, nuts, leaves, etc. As you can imagine, it takes a lot of chewing power to consume those items! By the time those humans reached their late teens or early adulthood, a third set of molars could prove to be life-sustaining.
In modern times, methods for processing and cooking food have evolved greatly. Most foods are easy to consume, and the support of a third set of molars is simply not necessary to chew effectively and get adequate nutrition.
The Problem with Wisdom Teeth
As the human genome has evolved over the generations, we have stopped needing wisdom teeth. Therefore, some people never develop them! However, most people do still get them, and that often presents a problem.
As the wisdom teeth have become vestigial, the human mouth has adapted to become smaller than it was for previous generations. As a result, there is not always enough room for the wisdom teeth.
As the wisdom teeth struggle to emerge from the gumline, they can cause all sorts of oral health issues. For example, they can become impacted, meaning they are stuck fully or partially beneath the gumline. Impacted teeth are at a heightened risk of infection, cysts, decay, and more. Wisdom teeth can even push painfully against nearby teeth, which may exacerbate symptoms of TMJ disorder.
The Need for Extractions
Removing wisdom teeth can prevent and/or relieve the problems caused by these third molars. Of course, not everyone needs to get their wisdom teeth removed; their mouth may be big enough for them to be perfectly healthy.
If you are curious about whether you need wisdom tooth extractions — or you want to find out if you even have wisdom teeth — talk to your dentist during your next checkup. They will be happy to share information about this fascinating and historical part of your smile.
Meet the Practice
Drs. Sumeet and Saru Sharma are the leaders of our team at Smile Keepers in Brenham, TX. They work together to provide top-quality care, including wisdom tooth extractions. We offer sedation to make the process as easy and comfortable as possible. To learn more about us or to request a consultation, contact our office at 979-830-5022.