Wisdom Teeth

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• QWhy are the third molars called wisdom teeth?

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  A American Dental Association answered

  The majority of people have most of their permanent teeth by age 13, followed by the wisdom teeth, which usually erupt or become impacted between the ages 17-21. They are called wisdom teeth because they typically arrive during the time of life when a person gains maturity, and thus wisdom.

   

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• QAre wisdom teeth becoming obsolete?

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  A Discovery Health answered

  About 35 percent of the population never develops wisdom teeth, which may be an indicator that they are becoming obsolete. Some experts theorize that wisdom teeth eventually will disappear, but there are a few unknowns in the equation.
  
  Scientists are not certain about the role that DNA plays in creating wisdom teeth, that is teeth at the third molar position.
  
  Third molars, unlike our other teeth, develop entirely after birth. And, because these teeth are not present at birth, it may be more difficult for nature to select against them.
  
  Wisdom teeth cannot form unless the tissue that begins the process of tooth building migrates to the back of the mouth to interact with the back jaw tissue. If this migration does not occur, no tooth will grow there.
  
  Environmental factors may be at work, too. In 1970s, for instance, researchers tied the larger jaw present in Eskimo women to the women's tradition of softening leather by chewing it.
  
  In East Asia, on the other hand, it is more common to find people with fewer wisdom teeth, or no wisdom teeth at all.

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• QAre impacted wisdom teeth serious?

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  A RealAge answered

  An impacted wisdom tooth can lead to complications if it is left untreated. More specifically, impacted wisdom teeth may cause crowding or damage to surrounding teeth, as well as cysts that form in the surrounding gums. Because impacted wisdom teeth still push on surrounding teeth, they can cause an uneven bite. Impacted wisdom teeth are also more prone to infection.

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• QAre wisdom teeth vestigial organs?

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  A Discovery Health answered

  When our ancestors ate leafy plants, as well as a tough diet of roots and raw eat, they needed more room to chew their food.
  
  As time went on our diets became softer, we developed ways to cook our food to make it easier to eat and our jaws became smaller.
  
  As our jaw evolved, it became too small to easily accommodate our wisdom teeth, which are also known as our third molars.

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• QWhy is wisdom tooth extraction easier in younger people?

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  A American Dental Association answered

  As with many other health conditions, as people age, they are at greater risk for health problems and that includes potential problems with their wisdom teeth. Regular dental visits are important so your dentist can evaluate not just your wisdom teeth but your overall oral health to help you prevent and manage dental disease and achieve optimal oral health.
  
  Your dentist or specialist may recommend removal to prevent problems or for others reasons, such as when removal is part of an orthodontic, restorative or periodontal treatment plan.

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• QHow will I know if my wisdom teeth have become impacted?

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  A American Dental Association answered

  As part of a dental visit, your dentist will examine you to determine if your wisdom teeth are healthy and properly positioned.
  
  Every patient is unique, but in general, wisdom teeth may be impacted and need to be removed when there is evidence of changes in the mouth such as:

  • pain
  • infection
  • cysts
  • tumors
  • damage to adjacent teeth
  • gum disease
  • tooth decay (if it is not possible or desirable to restore the tooth)

  Your dentist or specialist may also recommend removal to prevent problems or for others reasons, such as when removal is part of an orthodontic, restorative or periodontal treatment plan.

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• QWhy do wisdom teeth become so problematic?

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  A Discovery Health answered

  Wisdom teeth have a nasty habit of becoming impacted, coming in at a funny angle or growing in an unexpected place.
  The poor positioning of the teeth can cause infection and pain. Even if the teeth do come in properly, they still can pose problems later on. The wisdom teeth are hard to clean, so they can rot and infect teeth in the general vicinity. They also can crowd teeth and can undo years of straight alignments that were accomplished by braces.
  
  To avoid problems, dentists often recommend having wisdom teeth extracted from young adults, before the teeth have the opportunity to attach to the jaw and pose complications when they are removed.

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• QWhy did human beings have wisdom teeth in the first place?

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  A Discovery Health answered

  There was a time -- about 100 million years ago -- when our jaws could easily accommodate all 32 teeth, including the wisdom teeth. That was when human beings got around on all four limbs and had a protruding jaw leading the way.
  
  Early man's jaws were more prominent because his teeth played an essential role in survival. The front appendages previously were occupied with balance and running, while the teeth were used to catch, dismember and consume prey.
  
  Our ancestors lived a on diet of chewy and tough roots, leaves and raw meat. It was a huge advantage at that time to have 32 teeth for chewing, especially because early man did not go to the dentist to maintain healthy teeth.
  
  Having a third set of molars may have been a way to ensure prehistoric man had backup teeth when other teeth were worn down or lost.
  
  Once hominoids began walking upright the arms took on a bigger role in gathering food. After that, our brains became larger and our jaws became shorter.
  
  Researchers still do not know which came first, but in 2004, a team from the University of Pennsylvania announced the discovery of a gene called MYH16. Mutations in the gene lead to shorter jaws, which may have allowed early man's brain to grow. However it happened, when the brain began to grow, there was less space in the mouth for teeth.

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• QWhere did wisdom teeth get their name?

  3 Answers

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  A American Dental Association answered

  Wisdom teeth, also referred to as third molars, get their name by being the last teeth to come in during young adulthood. As part of a dental visit, your dentist will examine you to determine if your wisdom teeth are healthy and properly positioned.
  
  Regular dental visits are important so your dentist can evaluate not just your wisdom teeth but your overall oral health to help you prevent and manage dental disease and achieve optimal oral health.

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• QWhen do wisdom teeth come in?

  2 Answers

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  A American Dental Association answered

  Wisdom teeth are so called because they are the last teeth to come in, at about the time of young adulthood -- the age when a person gains maturity and thus wisdom. The majority of us have most of our permanent (adult) teeth by age 13, followed by our wisdom teeth (third molars), which usually push their way through the gums or become impacted between ages 17-21. After age 21, wisdom tooth removal becomes more complicated.
  
  Not everyone's teeth develop on the same schedule. See your dentist regularly so he or she can monitor the progress of your wisdom teeth.

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