{"id":936,"date":"2023-07-06T11:40:33","date_gmt":"2023-07-06T11:40:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.celebrationfamilydentaltx.com\/blog\/?p=936"},"modified":"2024-05-01T14:17:19","modified_gmt":"2024-05-01T14:17:19","slug":"your-guide-to-wisdom-teeth-why-have-them","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.celebrationfamilydentaltx.com\/blog\/2023\/07\/06\/your-guide-to-wisdom-teeth-why-have-them\/","title":{"rendered":"Your Guide to Wisdom Teeth: Why Do We Have Them?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Wisdom<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The development of wisdom teeth can be hard to wrap your head around. Most of us have a third set of molars that move in during early adulthood. However, it\u2019s not uncommon for people to go their entire lives without the hassle of wisdom teeth emerging. For some people, wisdom teeth removal<\/a> is unnecessary, and their third set of molars does not affect their oral health. Approximately a third of the human population is born without any at all. So, if they don\u2019t serve us any purpose and eventually have to come out, why do we still grow them? Learn more about this topic with your guide to wisdom teeth and why we have them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Why Do We Have Wisdom Teeth?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Why do our bodies produce wisdom teeth if our jaws have adapted to be smaller over time? Anthropologists believe our ancestors needed this third set of molars to accommodate for their diet. Early humans ate tough, coarse, and uncooked foods and did not have utensils to break them down. As a result, they also had larger jaws that allowed a third set of molars to erupt into the mouth naturally. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our modern diet consists of softer foods, and nowadays, we have utensils that can make tougher options easier to digest. As such, we as humans have gradually evolved beyond needing our wisdom teeth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Are Some Reasons for Wisdom Tooth Extraction?<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While some people don\u2019t encounter issues, the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons estimates that around 85 percent of wisdom teeth will eventually need to be removed. Having them extracted when you are a young adult can prevent future problems from occurring and ensure a safer and faster healing process. Undergoing oral surgery after the age of 35 increases your risk for complications, more complex surgeries, and slower healing times. The optimal time to get your wisdom teeth removed is when the roots are not yet fully formed, typically when you\u2019re about 15 to 18.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Often when wisdom teeth form, they become impacted or blocked by the lack of space. If your wisdom teeth only partially erupt, food and other debris can become trapped in the surrounding gum tissue and lead to microbial growth, infection, or displacement of permanent teeth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On rare occasions, they can even form cysts in the soft tissue around the impacted tooth which can lead to weakening of the bone that keeps the back teeth in place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When to Call Your Dentist About Wisdom Teeth<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re experiencing any of the following symptoms, you may have a wisdom tooth infection:<\/p>\n\n\n\n