Technically known as third molars, wisdom teeth are commonly referred as that because they erupt during the initial adulthood – the age when people tend to have an extra slice of wisdom.
However, according to statistics, people only get them removed later during their adulthood. Most people ponder why third molars exist altogether when they cause problems and require removal at some point. Let’s find out.
Wisdom Tooth and Their Venerable Roots
Among the countless theories that were presented to justify the existence of wisdom tooth, this one makes sense: Our ancestors and early humans consumed foods and drinks that tend to be poles apart from what we eat today.
Their diet comprised organic roots, raw meat, tough plants (most of which require a lot of cooking and grinding today to be consumed).
People needed big, broad molars to help them break down food into smaller pieces for easy digestion, and that’s just what wisdom teeth did. In addition, ancestors had bigger jaws to provide accommodation these additional teeth.
Today, people have smaller jaws to make space for smaller teeth that can consume softer foods. However, most of us still have wisdom tooth that seem to be useless. Since they aren’t given adequate space to grow and erupt in an appropriate manner, they begin surfacing at a 45° angle or more (horizontally in many cases). This causes problems for the adjacent tooth and ultimately leads to more severe dental problems.
When Wisdom Tooth Removal Makes Sense?
When wisdom teeth erupt at poor angles, they must be removed instantly. When angled wrong, they can crowd the adjacent teeth and cause damage to your overall oral health.
In some cases, they don’t erupt altogether, and affect the area underneath the gums. Whatever the case, wisdom tooth cause invariable pain and soreness, they deteriorate the structure of bones, and reverse the orthodontic treatment.
If you’re thinking why people don’t get their wisdom tooth removed during the early childhood, that’s because wisdom tooth do not start forming until when you’re about 10.
Generally, all teeth (fully developed teeth included) start forming in the course of fetal development – with the exception, of course, of the wisdom tooth.
Planning to get your painful wisdom tooth removed? You’ve come to the right place.
Dr. Nazir is one of the best dentists in Orange County providing you with comprehensive family dentistry services. Visit our dental office in Tustin and Orange County for a free consultation.
