Third molars, sometimes known as wisdom teeth, are somewhat mysterious. Why would we be given teeth that are usually extracted? Although wisdom teeth are something that modern humans have grown to fear, our earliest predecessors used them for a variety of purposes.
Why We Get Wisdom Teeth
Raw flesh, nuts, roots, berries, and leaves were the main sources of nutrition for our early ancestors. They did not have the convenience of using knives to chop and prepare food, and they did not even have the choice of cooking their meat. These hard, fibrous, and rough meals required a larger jaw and powerful teeth to chew. Our ancestors needed three sets of molars, including wisdom teeth, to be able to consume the tough, uncooked foods they needed to survive. The wisdom teeth could be easily accommodated by the bigger jaws that were typical of our ancestors. They were able to naturally erupt into the mouth as a result. One way anthropologists can assess the age of skeletons is by the frequency of wisdom teeth.
Why Do They Become a Problem?
However, not everyone has wisdom teeth. They might never go past the surface, at least. It is believed there are several causes behind this. These factors include the tooth's size, space within the jawbone, and angle and root growth. Wisdom teeth may be removed to avoid problems in the future, even if they are not interfering with spacing. Since these teeth are located so far back in the mouth, maintaining their health requires special attention. For the patient's long-term health, our dentist might suggest having their wisdom teeth removed. For more information on removing your wisdom teeth and general oral health, inquiries call us today to schedule an appointment with one of our trained dentists.
Location
Northview Family Dental 1121 E. Westview Ct. Spokane, WA 99218-1319
Third molars, sometimes known as wisdom teeth, are somewhat mysterious. Why would we be given teeth that are usually extracted? Although wisdom teeth are something that modern humans have grown to fear, our earliest predecessors used them for a variety of purposes.