Why Do We Have Wisdom Teeth If We Don't Use Them?

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhy We Needed ThemWhy They’re Not Needed NowRelated ProblemsShould You Keep Them?

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Why We Needed Them

Why They’re Not Needed Now

Related Problems

Should You Keep Them?

Early humans had broader, more powerful jaws in order to chew through tough plant materials and raw foods. A third set of molars, what we callwisdom teeth, helped them break down their foods for digestion. Over time, jaws shrank as humans learned ways to make foods easier to chew with food preparation and utensils. Modern jaws no longer have space for wisdom teeth. So when they grow in, they can cause an array of problems.

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Why Did Humans Need Wisdom Teeth?

Our earliest ancestors survived on a diet of raw meat, nuts, roots, berries, and leaves. Chewing these tough, coarse, and fibrous foods required intense chewing power. As such, having broader jaws and three sets of molars, including wisdom teeth, was vital for our ancestors to be able to survive.

The larger jaws of our ancestors easily accommodated these third molars. The wisdom teeth erupted in their mouths normally, without the kinds of complications humans have with them today.

Why We Don’t Need Wisdom Teeth Today

As modern humans took shape, our overall structure changed. Over time, the jawbone became smaller and all 32 of the teeth we once had could no longer fit properly.

In addition to these structural changes, humans changed what they eat and how they prepare it. Rather than eating tough foods that require greater chewing power, humans learned to cut, dice, chop, boil, steam, and bake foods.

What Age Do Wisdom Teeth Grow In?Most wisdom teeth erupt (appear) around age 20. Genetics, facial development, jaw size, and tooth size can all influence when wisdom teeth grow in.

What Age Do Wisdom Teeth Grow In?

Most wisdom teeth erupt (appear) around age 20. Genetics, facial development, jaw size, and tooth size can all influence when wisdom teeth grow in.

Can Wisdom Teeth Cause Problems?

Not everyone with wisdom teeth will experience problems. Many people have wisdom teeth that erupt and function without issues, just like the rest of their teeth.

With that being said, as many as 72% of people with wisdom teeth have at least one impacted third molar.Impaction happens when wisdom teeth do not have enough space to emerge through the gums. As a result, the wisdom teeth can get partially or entirely trapped beneath the gum line.

Wisdom teeth impaction can be quite painful. Most people with impacted wisdom teeth experience swelling in their gums. In some cases, a pocket (abscess) between the gum and impacted tooth can form. An infection calledpericoronitisdevelops when bacteria accumulates there.

Pericoronitis often develops after an upper respiratory infection. It can lead to:

Left untreated, pericoronitis can lead to a life-threatening condition calledsepsis, in which the body has an extreme and widespread inflammatory response to infection. Sepsis requires immediate medical attention.

Wisdom teeth may also cause:

Even if the wisdom teeth are not causing a problem in terms of spacing, wisdom teeth may be extracted (removed) to prevent future issues.

What Percent of People Develop Wisdom Teeth?According to a study published inDentist Research Journal, as many as 35% of people are born with congenitally missing wisdom teeth, or wisdom teeth that never formed in the first place.

What Percent of People Develop Wisdom Teeth?

According to a study published inDentist Research Journal, as many as 35% of people are born with congenitally missing wisdom teeth, or wisdom teeth that never formed in the first place.

Is There Any Reason to Keep Wisdom Teeth?

For the vast majority of people, wisdom teeth offer limited to no benefits, and it’s not important to keep them. There are a few instances in which wisdom teeth can be beneficial, though.

Healthy, properly aligned wisdom teeth can help with chewing, just like any other teeth. For some people, maintaining them can provide support for adjacent teeth and prevent them from shifting.

Mature wisdom teeth can also be transplanted, or used to replace, molars that have been lost or damaged. Third molar transplantation can restore the aesthetic and function of first or second molars that cannot otherwise be restored.

Your dentist may also recommend keeping your wisdom teeth or postponing their removal if you:

Ultimately, if your wisdom teeth are healthy, properly aligned, and not causing you any problems, you may choose to keep them. This decision should be made in close collaboration with your dentist and other healthcare providers involved in your care.

Summary

Early humans required broad jaws and an extra set of molars, or wisdom teeth, to chew through tough plant materials and raw meat. As humans evolved, their jaws shrank, but wisdom teeth outlived their purpose. Modern jaws do not have enough space for wisdom teeth, so they often grow in misaligned or trapped under the gums (impacted). Impacted teeth run a risk of infection, which can lead to serious complications, like sepsis and gum disease, if left untreated.

Not all wisdom teeth need to be removed, though. If they are healthy, properly aligned, and functioning well, you don’t need to remove them. Your dentist may determine that wisdom teeth removal surgery is not necessary for you now, or that the risk of surgery outweighs the benefits.

14 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Rhrich F, Aghoutan H.Embryological development of human molars. In:Human teeth - Key Skills and Clinical Illustrations. IntechOpen, 2019. doi:10.5772/intechopen.85703Boughner JC.Implications of vertebrate craniodental evo-devo for human oral health.J Exp Zool B Mol Dev Evol. 2017;328(4):321-333. doi:10.1002/jez.b.22734Adeyemo W, James O, Oladega A, et al.Correlation between height and impacted third molars and genetics role in third molar impaction.J Maxillofac Oral Surg. 2021 Mar;20(1):149-153. doi:10.1007/s12663-020-01336-9Dodson T, Susarla S.Impacted wisdom teeth.BMJ Clin Evid. 2014 Aug;2014(1):1302.Columbia.Pericoronitis.Renton T, Wilson NH.Problems with erupting wisdom teeth: signs, symptoms, and management.Br J Gen Pract. 2016;66(649):e606–e608. doi:10.3399/bjgp16X686509Wehr C, Cruz G, Young S, Fakhouri W.An insight into acute pericoronitis and the need for an evidence-based standard of care.Dent J Basel. 2019 Sep;7(3):88. doi:10.3390/dj7030088Pham T, Nguyen N.Periodontal status of the adjacent second molar after impacted mandibular third molar surgical extraction.Contemp Clin Dent. 2019 Jun;10(2):311–318. doi:10.4103/ccd.ccd_634_18Ghaeminia H, El Nienhuijs M, Toedtling V, et al.Surgical removal versus retention for the management of asymptomatic disease-free impacted wisdom teeth.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2020 May;2020(5):CD003879. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD003879.pub5National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.TMD (temporomandibular disroders).Rakhshan V.Congenitally missing teeth (hypodontia): A review of the literature concerning etiology, prevalence, risk factors, patterns, and treatment.Dent Res J (Isfahan). 2015 Feb;12(1):1-13. doi:10.4103/1735-3327.150286Pattanshetti C, Sankeshwari B, Shinde S, Kadam P, Kadam H, Shirkande A.Clinical assessment of immediate autotransplantation of mandibular third molars: An in vivo study.Cureus. 2023 Jul;15(7):e41293. doi:10.7759/cureus.41293Cosola S, Kim Y, Park Y, Giammarinaro E, Covani U.Coronectomy of mandibular third molar: Four years of follow-up of 130 cases.Medicina (Kaunas). 2020 Dec;56(12):654. doi:10.3390/medicina56120654Soutome S, Otsuro M, Hayshida S, et al.Relationship between tooth extraction and development of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw in cancer patients.Sci Rep. 2021 Aug;11(1):17226. doi:10.1038/s41598-021-96480-8Additional ReadingAmerican Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.Supporting Information to the Management of Patients With Third Molar Teeth.

14 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Rhrich F, Aghoutan H.Embryological development of human molars. In:Human teeth - Key Skills and Clinical Illustrations. IntechOpen, 2019. doi:10.5772/intechopen.85703Boughner JC.Implications of vertebrate craniodental evo-devo for human oral health.J Exp Zool B Mol Dev Evol. 2017;328(4):321-333. doi:10.1002/jez.b.22734Adeyemo W, James O, Oladega A, et al.Correlation between height and impacted third molars and genetics role in third molar impaction.J Maxillofac Oral Surg. 2021 Mar;20(1):149-153. doi:10.1007/s12663-020-01336-9Dodson T, Susarla S.Impacted wisdom teeth.BMJ Clin Evid. 2014 Aug;2014(1):1302.Columbia.Pericoronitis.Renton T, Wilson NH.Problems with erupting wisdom teeth: signs, symptoms, and management.Br J Gen Pract. 2016;66(649):e606–e608. doi:10.3399/bjgp16X686509Wehr C, Cruz G, Young S, Fakhouri W.An insight into acute pericoronitis and the need for an evidence-based standard of care.Dent J Basel. 2019 Sep;7(3):88. doi:10.3390/dj7030088Pham T, Nguyen N.Periodontal status of the adjacent second molar after impacted mandibular third molar surgical extraction.Contemp Clin Dent. 2019 Jun;10(2):311–318. doi:10.4103/ccd.ccd_634_18Ghaeminia H, El Nienhuijs M, Toedtling V, et al.Surgical removal versus retention for the management of asymptomatic disease-free impacted wisdom teeth.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2020 May;2020(5):CD003879. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD003879.pub5National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.TMD (temporomandibular disroders).Rakhshan V.Congenitally missing teeth (hypodontia): A review of the literature concerning etiology, prevalence, risk factors, patterns, and treatment.Dent Res J (Isfahan). 2015 Feb;12(1):1-13. doi:10.4103/1735-3327.150286Pattanshetti C, Sankeshwari B, Shinde S, Kadam P, Kadam H, Shirkande A.Clinical assessment of immediate autotransplantation of mandibular third molars: An in vivo study.Cureus. 2023 Jul;15(7):e41293. doi:10.7759/cureus.41293Cosola S, Kim Y, Park Y, Giammarinaro E, Covani U.Coronectomy of mandibular third molar: Four years of follow-up of 130 cases.Medicina (Kaunas). 2020 Dec;56(12):654. doi:10.3390/medicina56120654Soutome S, Otsuro M, Hayshida S, et al.Relationship between tooth extraction and development of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw in cancer patients.Sci Rep. 2021 Aug;11(1):17226. doi:10.1038/s41598-021-96480-8Additional ReadingAmerican Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.Supporting Information to the Management of Patients With Third Molar Teeth.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Rhrich F, Aghoutan H.Embryological development of human molars. In:Human teeth - Key Skills and Clinical Illustrations. IntechOpen, 2019. doi:10.5772/intechopen.85703Boughner JC.Implications of vertebrate craniodental evo-devo for human oral health.J Exp Zool B Mol Dev Evol. 2017;328(4):321-333. doi:10.1002/jez.b.22734Adeyemo W, James O, Oladega A, et al.Correlation between height and impacted third molars and genetics role in third molar impaction.J Maxillofac Oral Surg. 2021 Mar;20(1):149-153. doi:10.1007/s12663-020-01336-9Dodson T, Susarla S.Impacted wisdom teeth.BMJ Clin Evid. 2014 Aug;2014(1):1302.Columbia.Pericoronitis.Renton T, Wilson NH.Problems with erupting wisdom teeth: signs, symptoms, and management.Br J Gen Pract. 2016;66(649):e606–e608. doi:10.3399/bjgp16X686509Wehr C, Cruz G, Young S, Fakhouri W.An insight into acute pericoronitis and the need for an evidence-based standard of care.Dent J Basel. 2019 Sep;7(3):88. doi:10.3390/dj7030088Pham T, Nguyen N.Periodontal status of the adjacent second molar after impacted mandibular third molar surgical extraction.Contemp Clin Dent. 2019 Jun;10(2):311–318. doi:10.4103/ccd.ccd_634_18Ghaeminia H, El Nienhuijs M, Toedtling V, et al.Surgical removal versus retention for the management of asymptomatic disease-free impacted wisdom teeth.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2020 May;2020(5):CD003879. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD003879.pub5National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.TMD (temporomandibular disroders).Rakhshan V.Congenitally missing teeth (hypodontia): A review of the literature concerning etiology, prevalence, risk factors, patterns, and treatment.Dent Res J (Isfahan). 2015 Feb;12(1):1-13. doi:10.4103/1735-3327.150286Pattanshetti C, Sankeshwari B, Shinde S, Kadam P, Kadam H, Shirkande A.Clinical assessment of immediate autotransplantation of mandibular third molars: An in vivo study.Cureus. 2023 Jul;15(7):e41293. doi:10.7759/cureus.41293Cosola S, Kim Y, Park Y, Giammarinaro E, Covani U.Coronectomy of mandibular third molar: Four years of follow-up of 130 cases.Medicina (Kaunas). 2020 Dec;56(12):654. doi:10.3390/medicina56120654Soutome S, Otsuro M, Hayshida S, et al.Relationship between tooth extraction and development of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw in cancer patients.Sci Rep. 2021 Aug;11(1):17226. doi:10.1038/s41598-021-96480-8

Rhrich F, Aghoutan H.Embryological development of human molars. In:Human teeth - Key Skills and Clinical Illustrations. IntechOpen, 2019. doi:10.5772/intechopen.85703

Boughner JC.Implications of vertebrate craniodental evo-devo for human oral health.J Exp Zool B Mol Dev Evol. 2017;328(4):321-333. doi:10.1002/jez.b.22734

Adeyemo W, James O, Oladega A, et al.Correlation between height and impacted third molars and genetics role in third molar impaction.J Maxillofac Oral Surg. 2021 Mar;20(1):149-153. doi:10.1007/s12663-020-01336-9

Dodson T, Susarla S.Impacted wisdom teeth.BMJ Clin Evid. 2014 Aug;2014(1):1302.

Columbia.Pericoronitis.

Renton T, Wilson NH.Problems with erupting wisdom teeth: signs, symptoms, and management.Br J Gen Pract. 2016;66(649):e606–e608. doi:10.3399/bjgp16X686509

Wehr C, Cruz G, Young S, Fakhouri W.An insight into acute pericoronitis and the need for an evidence-based standard of care.Dent J Basel. 2019 Sep;7(3):88. doi:10.3390/dj7030088

Pham T, Nguyen N.Periodontal status of the adjacent second molar after impacted mandibular third molar surgical extraction.Contemp Clin Dent. 2019 Jun;10(2):311–318. doi:10.4103/ccd.ccd_634_18

Ghaeminia H, El Nienhuijs M, Toedtling V, et al.Surgical removal versus retention for the management of asymptomatic disease-free impacted wisdom teeth.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2020 May;2020(5):CD003879. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD003879.pub5

National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.TMD (temporomandibular disroders).

Rakhshan V.Congenitally missing teeth (hypodontia): A review of the literature concerning etiology, prevalence, risk factors, patterns, and treatment.Dent Res J (Isfahan). 2015 Feb;12(1):1-13. doi:10.4103/1735-3327.150286

Pattanshetti C, Sankeshwari B, Shinde S, Kadam P, Kadam H, Shirkande A.Clinical assessment of immediate autotransplantation of mandibular third molars: An in vivo study.Cureus. 2023 Jul;15(7):e41293. doi:10.7759/cureus.41293

Cosola S, Kim Y, Park Y, Giammarinaro E, Covani U.Coronectomy of mandibular third molar: Four years of follow-up of 130 cases.Medicina (Kaunas). 2020 Dec;56(12):654. doi:10.3390/medicina56120654

Soutome S, Otsuro M, Hayshida S, et al.Relationship between tooth extraction and development of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw in cancer patients.Sci Rep. 2021 Aug;11(1):17226. doi:10.1038/s41598-021-96480-8

American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.Supporting Information to the Management of Patients With Third Molar Teeth.

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