855-277-9779
  • Instagram
  • tiktok
Why Do We Have Wisdom Teeth?
HomeBlogWhy Do We Have Wisdom Teeth?

Why Do We Have Wisdom Teeth?

Written and Reviewed by JDC Content Committee

Why Do We Have Wisdom Teeth?

If you’ve ever experienced wisdom tooth pain, you have probably wondered why we have them in the first place. Though wisdom teeth seem pointless today, they weren’t always just a pain in the mouth.

What are Wisdom Teeth?

Wisdom teeth are the third set of molars that humans develop, usually during their late teens or early twenties. They are the last teeth to come in and sit at the far back of the mouth. 

Many adults have theirs removed because they cause pain. When they come in at the wrong angle or a person doesn’t have enough room to accommodate them, the teeth need to be removed. 

Why Do We Have Them? 

Believe it or not, wisdom teeth used to serve a purpose. Our ancestors used their third molars to break down tough, uncooked plants. They relied on the extra teeth to survive.

However, as humans evolved and learned how to make food softer through cooking and other means, the need for third molars disappeared. Over time, our jaws adjusted to our new diets and became smaller. 

As wisdom teeth, or third molars, became obsolete, some people stopped developing them. Around half of all adults still develop at least one wisdom tooth, but many people are missing one or more third molars. 

Signs You Need Yours Removed

Not everybody needs their wisdom teeth removed. Some people have plenty of room for third molars and they develop just like all the other teeth. For others, the third molars mean pain and other complications.

Only your dentist can determine if you need your wisdom teeth removed. However, if you experience any of these issues, you should speak with your dentist about wisdom tooth removal soon:

  • Swollen, tender, or bleeding gums at the back of your mouth
  • Jaw pain, swelling, or stiffness
  • Problems opening your mouth
  • A persistent, unpleasant taste in your mouth and/or bad breath

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms and suspect your third molars could be causing them, you need to see a dentist. Book an appointment with the Jefferson Dental & Orthodontics office nearest you.

Our Jefferson Dental Content Committee supports our team by educational and informational articles related to what we do, oral care tips, and current events in our communities.

This blog provides general information and discussions about oral health and related subjects. The information and other content provided in this blog, website or in any linked materials are not intended and should not be considered, or used as a substitute for, dental advice, diagnosis or treatment. This blog does not constitute the practice of any medical, dental or other professional health care advice, diagnosis or treatment. We cannot diagnose conditions, provide second opinions or make specific treatment recommendations through this blog or website.

If you or any other person has an oral health concern, you should consult with your dentist or seek other professional dental treatment immediately. Never disregard professional medical/dental advice or delay in seeking it because of something that you have read on this blog, website or in any linked materials. If you are experiencing a dental emergency, please visit your local Jefferson Dental & Orthodontics office — we accept walk-ins.

Related Stories

Traders Village Sponsor

Jefferson Dental Sponsors Traders Village

On January 5, 2013

Read More
children-smiling-clean-teeth

“Jeffy” Motivates Local Kids to Keep Their Teeth Clean

On May 23, 2013

Read More
What is periodontal disease, Gum disease symptoms and treatment

Don’t Wait Till It Hurts: Periodontal Disease

On June 20, 2013

Read More
[gravityform id="30" title="false" ajax="true"]
<script type="text/javascript">var gform;gform||(document.addEventListener("gform_main_scripts_loaded",function(){gform.scriptsLoaded=!0}),window.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded",function(){gform.domLoaded=!0}),gform={domLoaded:!1,scriptsLoaded:!1,initializeOnLoaded:function(o){gform.domLoaded&&gform.scriptsLoaded?o():!gform.domLoaded&&gform.scriptsLoaded?window.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded",o):document.addEventListener("gform_main_scripts_loaded",o)},hooks:{action:{},filter:{}},addAction:function(o,n,r,t){gform.addHook("action",o,n,r,t)},addFilter:function(o,n,r,t){gform.addHook("filter",o,n,r,t)},doAction:function(o){gform.doHook("action",o,arguments)},applyFilters:function(o){return gform.doHook("filter",o,arguments)},removeAction:function(o,n){gform.removeHook("action",o,n)},removeFilter:function(o,n,r){gform.removeHook("filter",o,n,r)},addHook:function(o,n,r,t,i){null==gform.hooks[o][n]&&(gform.hooks[o][n]=[]);var e=gform.hooks[o][n];null==i&&(i=n+"_"+e.length),gform.hooks[o][n].push({tag:i,callable:r,priority:t=null==t?10:t})},doHook:function(n,o,r){var t;if(r=Array.prototype.slice.call(r,1),null!=gform.hooks[n][o]&&((o=gform.hooks[n][o]).sort(function(o,n){return o.priority-n.priority}),o.forEach(function(o){"function"!=typeof(t=o.callable)&&(t=window[t]),"action"==n?t.apply(null,r):r[0]=t.apply(null,r)})),"filter"==n)return r[0]},removeHook:function(o,n,t,i){var r;null!=gform.hooks[o][n]&&(r=(r=gform.hooks[o][n]).filter(function(o,n,r){return!!(null!=i&&i!=o.tag||null!=t&&t!=o.priority)}),gform.hooks[o][n]=r)}});</script> <div class='gf_browser_unknown gform_wrapper gravity-theme gform-theme--no-framework' data-form-theme='gravity-theme' data-form-index='0' id='gform_wrapper_30' ><div id='gf_30' class='gform_anchor' tabindex='-1'></div> <div class='gform_heading'> <p class='gform_description'></p> </div><form method='post' enctype='multipart/form-data' target='gform_ajax_frame_30' id='gform_30' action='/blog/why-do-we-have-wisdom-teeth#gf_30' data-formid='30' > <div class='gform-body gform_body'><div id='gform_fields_30' class='gform_fields top_label form_sublabel_below description_below'><div id="field_30_4" class="gfield gfield--type-email field_sublabel_below gfield--no-description field_description_below hidden_label gfield_visibility_visible" data-js-reload="field_30_4"><label class='gfield_label gform-field-label' for='input_30_4' >Email</label><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_email'> <input name='input_4' id='input_30_4' type='text' value='' class='large' placeholder='Email' aria-invalid="false" /> </div></div></div></div> <div class='gform_footer top_label'> <input type='submit' id='gform_submit_button_30' class='gform_button button' value='Sign Me Up' onclick='if(window["gf_submitting_30"]){return false;} window["gf_submitting_30"]=true; ' onkeypress='if( event.keyCode == 13 ){ if(window["gf_submitting_30"]){return false;} window["gf_submitting_30"]=true; jQuery("#gform_30").trigger("submit",[true]); }' /> <input type='hidden' name='gform_ajax' value='form_id=30&amp;title=&amp;description=1&amp;tabindex=0' /> <input type='hidden' class='gform_hidden' name='is_submit_30' value='1' /> <input type='hidden' class='gform_hidden' name='gform_submit' value='30' /> <input type='hidden' class='gform_hidden' name='gform_unique_id' value='' /> <input type='hidden' class='gform_hidden' name='state_30' value='WyJbXSIsImZiZjViNDBhMGIxNzhjYjliMmE4MGRlZDQ2ZWU1ZTM0Il0=' /> <input type='hidden' class='gform_hidden' name='gform_target_page_number_30' id='gform_target_page_number_30' value='0' /> <input type='hidden' class='gform_hidden' name='gform_source_page_number_30' id='gform_source_page_number_30' value='1' /> <input type='hidden' name='gform_field_values' value='' /> </div> </form> </div> <iframe style='display:none;width:0px;height:0px;' src='about:blank' name='gform_ajax_frame_30' id='gform_ajax_frame_30' title='This iframe contains the logic required to handle Ajax powered Gravity Forms.'></iframe> <script type="text/javascript"> gform.initializeOnLoaded( function() {gformInitSpinner( 30, 'https://stagingjdc.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/plugins/gravityforms/images/spinner.svg', true );jQuery('#gform_ajax_frame_30').on('load',function(){var contents = jQuery(this).contents().find('*').html();var is_postback = contents.indexOf('GF_AJAX_POSTBACK') >= 0;if(!is_postback){return;}var form_content = jQuery(this).contents().find('#gform_wrapper_30');var is_confirmation = jQuery(this).contents().find('#gform_confirmation_wrapper_30').length > 0;var is_redirect = contents.indexOf('gformRedirect(){') >= 0;var is_form = form_content.length > 0 && ! is_redirect && ! is_confirmation;var mt = parseInt(jQuery('html').css('margin-top'), 10) + parseInt(jQuery('body').css('margin-top'), 10) + 100;if(is_form){jQuery('#gform_wrapper_30').html(form_content.html());if(form_content.hasClass('gform_validation_error')){jQuery('#gform_wrapper_30').addClass('gform_validation_error');} else {jQuery('#gform_wrapper_30').removeClass('gform_validation_error');}setTimeout( function() { /* delay the scroll by 50 milliseconds to fix a bug in chrome */ jQuery(document).scrollTop(jQuery('#gform_wrapper_30').offset().top - mt); }, 50 );if(window['gformInitDatepicker']) {gformInitDatepicker();}if(window['gformInitPriceFields']) {gformInitPriceFields();}var current_page = jQuery('#gform_source_page_number_30').val();gformInitSpinner( 30, 'https://stagingjdc.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/plugins/gravityforms/images/spinner.svg', true );jQuery(document).trigger('gform_page_loaded', [30, current_page]);window['gf_submitting_30'] = false;}else if(!is_redirect){var confirmation_content = jQuery(this).contents().find('.GF_AJAX_POSTBACK').html();if(!confirmation_content){confirmation_content = contents;}setTimeout(function(){jQuery('#gform_wrapper_30').replaceWith(confirmation_content);jQuery(document).scrollTop(jQuery('#gf_30').offset().top - mt);jQuery(document).trigger('gform_confirmation_loaded', [30]);window['gf_submitting_30'] = false;wp.a11y.speak(jQuery('#gform_confirmation_message_30').text());}, 50);}else{jQuery('#gform_30').append(contents);if(window['gformRedirect']) {gformRedirect();}}jQuery(document).trigger('gform_post_render', [30, current_page]);gform.utils.trigger({ event: 'gform/postRender', native: false, data: { formId: 30, currentPage: current_page } });} );} ); </script>