Why Do We Have Wisdom Teeth?

Thus, our ancestor’s teeth were subject to significant wear and loss due totooth decay.

Modern humans don’t eat foods that require these extra teeth.

Close up of x ray jaws scan examined by dentist

Zinkevych / Getty Images

Not Everyone Has Them

Reported rates of missing molars vary by geographic location.

It is very common for third molars to become impacted.

However, those studies have been challenged.

This is known aspericoronitis.

Normally, it should last about four days.

Summary

Molars are the big flat teeth in the back of your mouth.

They’re designed to crush and grind food and can withstand considerable force.

The three types are 6-year molars, 12-year molars, and wisdom teeth.

That can lead to various problems and most people have their wisdom teeth removed at some point.

The surgery is safer and easier to recover from when you’re young.

On average, kids tend to lose their baby molars when they’re between 9 and 12 years old.

2017;14(3):115-122.

2022;27(2):e106-e112.

Published 2022 Mar 1. doi:10.4317/medoral.25013

California Academy of General Dentistry.Surgical and non-surgical management of third molars.

Renton T, Wilson NH.Problems with erupting wisdom teeth: signs, symptoms, and management.Br J Gen Pract.

2016;66(649):e606-e608.

doi:10.3399/bjgp16X686509

Siqueira JF, Rocas IN.Microbiology and treatment of acute apical abscesses.Clin Microbiol Rev.

2020;26(2):255-73. doi:10.1128/CMR.00082-12

American Dental Association.Eruption charts.