Wisdom teeth, or third molars, sometimes do not have room to fit into the mouth properly. This is believed to be due to the evolution of the human jaw, which has become smaller because of modern refinements in food and cooking. Primitive peoples needed the "extra" wisdom tooth as other back teeth, molars, broke down with their coarse diet. Wisdom teeth usually make their appearance from the ages of 17-21. If there is not enough room, they will often cause earaches, headaches, swelling of the gums, and potentially cause crowding of the other teeth. A large panoramic x-ray of the jaw, called a panograph, may show a tumor or cyst that can painlessly grow around the wisdom tooth, or destruction of the adjacent molar tooth roots. These are all valid reasons to have the wisdom teeth
removed.
Wisdom teeth, or third molars, sometimes do not have room to fit
into the mouth properly. This is believed to be due to the
evolution of the human jaw, which has become smaller because of
modern refinements in food and cooking. Primitive peoples...
More
Dr. De Vizio of Colgate answered:Some anthropologists believe that earlier humans ate a rougher diet that allowed shifting of teeth and space for wisdom teeth. Modern man eats a much softer diet that prevents this shifting, so wisdom teeth often are not able to push through the gum.Some anthropologists believe that earlier humans ate a rougher diet that allowed shifting of teeth and space for wisdom teeth. Modern man eats a much softer diet that prevents this shifting, so wisdom teeth often are not able to push through the gum. More
Dr. Jerry Gordon answered:Wisdom teeth, or third molars, sometimes do not have room to fit into the mouth properly. This is believed to be due to the evolution of the human jaw, which has become smaller because of modern refinements in food and cooking. Primitive peoples needed the "extra" wisdom tooth as other back teeth, molars, broke down with their coarse diet. Wisdom teeth usually make their appearance from the ages of 17-21. If there is not enough room, they will often cause earaches, headaches, swelling of the gums, and potentially cause crowding of the other teeth. A large panoramic x-ray of the jaw, called a panograph, may show a tumor or cyst that can painlessly grow around the wisdom tooth, or destruction of the adjacent molar tooth roots. These are all valid reasons to have the wisdom teeth
