Wisdom teeth have existed since ancient times, as our ancestors often had larger jaws that required three molars to chew and bite into tough foods.
Wisdom teeth are the third molars, located at the back of the mouth, resembling other molars but sometimes smaller. They are commonly referred to as wisdom teeth because they are the last to emerge among the 32 permanent teeth, typically appearing between the ages of 17 and 25, when people are more mature. Not everyone develops all four wisdom teeth, and many individuals need to have them extracted.
In fact, humans share similar characteristics with primates. Monkeys, gorillas, and chimpanzees all have wisdom teeth. Millions of years ago, human ancestors had larger jaws and teeth compared to modern humans. For instance, Australopithecus afarensis, which lived around 3 to 4 million years ago, had significantly larger and thicker teeth than modern humans. They possessed three large molars with thick enamel. Fossil evidence from the skulls of these primate species indicates that their jaw muscles were very powerful.
Scientists believe that the large and strong teeth helped them adapt to the living conditions of that time. The meat and plants of ancient times were much tougher to chew than today’s foods. Humans needed all three molars, including wisdom teeth, to properly chew their food.
Illustration of a wisdom tooth growing misaligned, impacting the adjacent molar. (Image: Englishoms).
In modern times, food is softer and easier to chew, making the “task” of the teeth less challenging. As a result, the jaws of modern humans have evolved to be smaller, leading to a flatter facial structure compared to our ancestors. These changes occurred very slowly over millions of years. At some point, the third molars or wisdom teeth became less significant than before.
According to research, about 25% of the world’s population currently lacks at least one wisdom tooth. Scientists are uncertain about the reasons for this, but they speculate that it may be related to genes inherited from parents. Some experts argue that the absence of wisdom teeth is advantageous for modern humans with smaller jaws, making chewing movements easier.
Sometimes, due to lack of space, wisdom teeth can become impacted within the jawbone and never fully emerge, or they may only partially erupt. Impacted wisdom teeth occur more frequently in the lower jaw than in the upper jaw. Partially erupted wisdom teeth can lead to jaw pain, cavities, and gum inflammation. This is why dentists often recommend their extraction.
