wisdom teeth are the eighth teeth located at the very back of the jaw, also known as third molars. They look similar to the first and second molars, but can sometimes be slightly smaller, according to The Conversation (Australia).
Wisdom teeth usually don't need to be extracted if they develop healthily and erupt in the correct position.
They are called wisdom teeth because they are the last of the 32 permanent teeth to erupt, which usually replace baby teeth. Wisdom teeth typically erupt between the ages of 17 and 35. By this time, we are more mature and wiser, hence the name wisdom teeth.
Not everyone gets all four wisdom teeth in the four innermost positions of their jaw, and some people don't have any at all. Dental research has found answers to why humans have wisdom teeth.
Like many other animals, humans share characteristics with the primate family. Monkeys, gorillas, and chimpanzees all have wisdom teeth. Several million years ago, our human ancestors had larger jaws and teeth than modern humans. For example, fossils of Australopithecus afarensis from 3-4 million years ago show jaws and teeth that were larger and thicker than ours today.
Additionally, this species also had three large molars with thick enamel. The skull structure also suggests very strong chewing muscles. Scientists believe that the reason our ancestors' jaws and teeth were stronger was because their food, such as meat and plants, was harder and tougher than modern human food.
Modern humans, thanks to their knowledge of farming, cooking, and food preservation, have been able to eat softer food. Because they only have to eat soft, easy-to-chew foods, their jaws and teeth work less. As a result, we have evolved to have smaller jaws, and the third molar, the wisdom tooth, is no longer necessary.
Many studies show that about 25% of modern people have completely lost at least one of their four wisdom teeth. In other words, these teeth didn't fail to erupt; rather, they never fully formed in the jaw.
Impacted wisdom teeth are more common in the lower jaw than the upper jaw. They can cause pain and gum inflammation. Therefore, they need to be extracted. However, if wisdom teeth are healthy and in the correct position, extraction may not be necessary, according to The Conversation.
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