Today, 12:56 AM
Hello,
The wisdom teeth are the maxillary and mandibular third molars. They are located all the way back in the jaw, and they tend to come in some time between the ages of 16 and 25, if they come in at all. For many people, they affect the other teeth when they come in, and they often require surgery to remove them to allow the jaw to remain healthy. Wisdom teeth are so named because of the time they appear, generally in the late teens or early 20s, when people are supposed to be gaining some bit of wisdom in life.
There are two main theories as to why these teeth exist at all, since in most cases in the modern world, they cause problems and have to be removed or else mess up the jaw line. One theory is that, in ancient times, tooth loss was much more common, because of rot or trauma, and so most people by the time they were in their early 20s, had already lost a tooth or two. The wisdom teeth, then, would help fill the empty space that the lost tooth left, making for a more complete bite. Another theory holds that in the past the human jaw was significantly larger, so that there was room for these teeth to grow in. As the human diet shifted, the jaw shrank, but the teeth continued to form.
Thanks,
kaydental north york
1081 BLOOR ST.WEST
SUITE 303
TORONTO,ON M6 H1M5
The wisdom teeth are the maxillary and mandibular third molars. They are located all the way back in the jaw, and they tend to come in some time between the ages of 16 and 25, if they come in at all. For many people, they affect the other teeth when they come in, and they often require surgery to remove them to allow the jaw to remain healthy. Wisdom teeth are so named because of the time they appear, generally in the late teens or early 20s, when people are supposed to be gaining some bit of wisdom in life.
There are two main theories as to why these teeth exist at all, since in most cases in the modern world, they cause problems and have to be removed or else mess up the jaw line. One theory is that, in ancient times, tooth loss was much more common, because of rot or trauma, and so most people by the time they were in their early 20s, had already lost a tooth or two. The wisdom teeth, then, would help fill the empty space that the lost tooth left, making for a more complete bite. Another theory holds that in the past the human jaw was significantly larger, so that there was room for these teeth to grow in. As the human diet shifted, the jaw shrank, but the teeth continued to form.
Thanks,
kaydental north york
1081 BLOOR ST.WEST
SUITE 303
TORONTO,ON M6 H1M5