Why do we get Wisdom teeth. It seems to me they just cause lots of trouble for people?

Question

Is there a reason for them? Lots of people have to have them removed so whats there purpose.

Answer 1

Wisdom teeth were always in the human jaw, but developed early in our history before the human brain was as large as it is now. Consequently, the skulls expansion for the brain, crowded out the room necessary for the wisdom teeth.

Answer 2

Sorry Silmeria 81, that statement is incorrect. Stuka is the best answer.
Evolutionarily, if a trait is to be eliminated, then it must lead to a disadvantage for that organism to breed, and thus the gene (for wisdom teeth) will not be passed on.
In ancient times, people didn't live all that long anyway, and they would've had more problems with damage to 1st and 2nd molars. The 3rd molars (wisdoms) probably came to the surface either too late to affect reproductive capacities, or perhaps acted as replacements for loss of 1st or 2nd molars.
Today, there is even less evolutionary pressure for the loss of wisdoms because we can "fix" the problems by fillings, extractions, and antibiotics. It has nothing to do with roughage or genetically modified foods. Impactions and gum infections (pericoronitis) do not care about soft or hard diets.
If your wisdoms do not have enough space to be functional and totally clear of the gums where you can easily clean them, then have them removed sooner rather than later.
Wisdom teeth will continue to create problems until we can genetically tamper with our chromosomes.

Answer 3

Research now indicates that the reasons for most third molar problems today are not due to evolutionary changes but other reasons. These reasons include a change from a coarse abrasive diet to a soft western diet, lack of proper dental care, and genetic factors possibly including mutations. Common past dental practice was a tendency to routinely remove wisdom teeth. Recent empirical research has concluded that this practice is unwise. Third molars in general should be left alone unless a problem develops and then they should be treated as any other teeth. At times removal is required, but appropriate efforts to deal with problem teeth should be implemented before resorting to their extraction.
In short, we would have not problems with them if we still ate as much vegetables and ruffage as we used to instead of these genetically altered foods of today.

Answer 4

From what I understand we, as cavemen, used to not have dental hygiene and because our molars have the valleys/pits in them, they were usually the ones that would rot and fall out first. By the time humans were 17-22 they probably would've lost as least 1 set of molars and these one would come in as back-ups. I'm not sure HOW correct this is, but it makes sense to me.

Answer 5

They're named after Norman Wisdom --- Haha Mr Grimsadaaaaaaale

Answer 6

What do you mean "we"? I never had any Wisdom teeth. It is hereditary for my family to have only 28 teeth instead of 32.. don't know why.. but thankfully we don't have the same problems that most people have with them. *GriN*

Answer 7

dont know but im having trouble with mine i went to the dentist last friday and he said i was fine but ever since ive been getting ear aches and my teeth hurt when i drink anything hope or cold i dont know weather to go back down to that dentist or get second opinion its 2.30 am irish time and the reason im on answers is my tooth is at me and i cant sleep

Answer 8

I don't know, but mine are coming in and my dentist isnt sure if I have to get them removed yet. I hope not, they're a *****.

Answer 9

wish I!d of been wise enough to keep them clean when I did have them. they were good for tearing into ham houghs, now its dookin doughnuts.

Answer 10

i dont know why we have them they arent needed and they damn well hurt when they come thru and u often have to have them out cos mine developed an abcess