{"id":141,"date":"2024-11-01T18:59:06","date_gmt":"2024-11-01T18:59:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dentalcenteroflakewood.com\/blog\/?p=141"},"modified":"2024-12-20T19:00:49","modified_gmt":"2024-12-20T19:00:49","slug":"mysterious-origins-wisdom-teeth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dentalcenteroflakewood.com\/blog\/2024\/11\/01\/mysterious-origins-wisdom-teeth\/","title":{"rendered":"The Mysterious Origins of Wisdom Teeth"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Chances are you know someone who needed a wisdom tooth extraction<\/a>. If not, maybe you are that someone! This is one of the most common dental treatments in the US, and yet, the origin and purpose of wisdom teeth are largely mysterious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fortunately for curious types everywhere, you wouldn\u2019t be the first to wonder why humans still develop third molars if they usually have to be pulled. Keep reading for some illuminating answers!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Who Usually Gets Wisdom Teeth?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Wisdom teeth are most common in younger individuals aged 17 \u2013 21. There are cases of them developing in patients a little earlier or a little later in life, though, and roughly 50% of the population won\u2019t develop any! Interestingly, men seem to be more likely to have them than women.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While it\u2019s still fair to say most adults will have to contend with at least one wisdom tooth, it\u2019s not necessarily a bad sign if you never see sight of them!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Do Wisdom Teeth Emerge So Late?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s a really good question, especially considering when first and second molars develop. Molars (the flat teeth that sit towards the back of your mouth) emerge in sets of four. So the first four molars start to show around age 6, while the second set emerges close to age 12. There\u2019s a pretty sizable gap between second molars and wisdom teeth!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some scientists suspect that third molars functioned as back-up teeth. Before modern dental advancements, tooth loss was far more common \u2013 theoretically, wisdom teeth could replace missing pearly whites.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s the Purpose of Third Molars?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Besides the back-up theory, there\u2019s also speculation that third molars were extremely useful when human jaw structures were wider, and actually had enough room to accommodate all 32 teeth. Scientists think they were used to help grind up meat that was much tougher than what\u2019s typically consumed today. However, as society developed softer foods and dining utensils, jaw structure narrowed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Basically, the idea is that wisdom teeth used <\/em>to have a very good purpose, but humans haven\u2019t quite evolved to the point where they stop growing in, even though they\u2019re no longer needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should I Still Have Them Extracted?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It depends on your case. More often than not, emerging wisdom teeth cause more problems than their worth. Since most people don\u2019t have room for them, they tend to become trapped below the gumline, which can result in infection or painful dental shifting. Some individuals simply never grow wisdom teeth, though, and others are able to keep them and maintain their oral health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Regardless of why so many humans develop third molars, you should check in with your dentist to confirm whether you have any that need to be extracted. They\u2019ll make sure you get the care you need!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About the Practice<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When you\u2019re concerned about your wisdom teeth, you want dental care providers that will consider your unique oral situation and deliver personalized treatment. That\u2019s exactly how Dr. Travis Spillman<\/a> and Dr. Jacquelyn Green<\/a> approach dentistry at Dental Center of Lakewood! They\u2019ll thoroughly examine your mouth and take detailed X-rays to make sure your wisdom tooth treatment plan matches your needs. To contact<\/a> their office, call 214-823-5253.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Chances are you know someone who needed a wisdom tooth extraction. If not, maybe you are that someone! This is one of the most common dental treatments in the US, and yet, the origin and purpose of wisdom teeth are largely mysterious. Fortunately for curious types everywhere, you wouldn\u2019t be the first to wonder why […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\nThe Mysterious Origins of Wisdom Teeth | Dental Center of Lakewood Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Wisdom tooth extractions are so common it\u2019s almost like a right of passage. 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