Does Everyone Have Wisdom Teeth?
According to the Dental Research Journal, roughly 5 to 37% of people are missing one or more of their wisdom teeth. While this may come as a surprise, not having wisdom teeth is entirely normal and nothing to worry about. In fact, consider yourself one of the lucky ones! Knowing that some people are sans wisdom teeth may prompt you to ask: what exactly is wisdom teeth’s purpose if they aren’t necessary? Keep reading below to learn more.
What Exactly Are Wisdom Teeth?
Why do we call them wisdom teeth if they don’t make us more intelligent? Wisdom teeth get their name from the age at which they begin to appear. Wisdom teeth start to show through an individual’s gums around the ages of 16 to 21, our most wise years and life lessons. These so-called “wisdom” teeth are an extra set of molars that are usually behind the jaw’s first and second set of molars. These teeth are the final set of teeth to grow in.
What Purpose Do They Serve?
There are many different beliefs about why many individuals have wisdom teeth, but the most common theory is regarding our ancestor’s eating habits. Some believe that wisdom teeth previously served as replacement teeth for our ancestors when they lost teeth. Of course, today, we have better oral health and are less likely to lose teeth as they did. Since our ancestors likely ate harder foods, it’s possible they used these extra teeth to chew their foods properly.
Why Should They be Removed?
Wisdom teeth don’t always need to be extracted, but they often avoid future dental issues. According to an article from the Los Angeles Times, roughly 60% of individuals have their wisdom teeth removed because they’ve grown in at an angle that will eventually begin to disrupt the teeth around them.
Wisdom Teeth Removal With Dr. Pollock
Overall, wisdom teeth usually cause more harm than they do good. If you require wisdom teeth extraction, please contact Dr. Pollock at Rockwall Oral Surgery. We’d love for you to give us a call today at (469) 264-8921 or reach us via email at info@dentalimplantsurgery.com. If necessary, please schedule an appointment or consultation.
