Wisdom Teeth--Anyone Know why we get them?
By mzbubblie
@mzbubblie (3839)
United States
March 27, 2007 10:35am CST
My bestfriend is in the process of getting her wisdom teeth removed. I got all four of my wisdom teeth removed about six years ago. Reason being three of them were impacted.
Me being the thinker I am, I'm wondering why do we have them if nine times out of ten, eventually down the line they are going to be removed.
My wisdom teeth were so badly impacted, they started shifting my other teeth. That was painful along. The one that I did have that came out on it's own, I was in my late teens..lol Maybe I was a late-bloomer...lol
Do you know why we have wisdom teeth? Have you had your pulled? Do you still have your wisdom teeth now? If you still have them, are you planning to get them out?
2 people like this
5 responses
@scarlet_woman (23465)
• United States
27 Mar 07
i was told they were a genetic leftover from when we had bigger jaws.i'm surprised that hasn't worked itself out yet though.
i had mine cut out at 19-they never fully erupted and were turning in different directions,interfering with my jaw.
@mzbubblie (3839)
• United States
28 Mar 07
I got mine out at 25, they were impacted and pushing my teeth closer together where they started to get out of line
1 person likes this
@scarlet_woman (23465)
• United States
28 Mar 07
i know someone else that happened to-started to ruin all the years of braces he had.
@bluewings (3857)
•
27 Mar 07
I agree with the other replies.That's what I read in school.They were used by our ancestors to chew raw meat and when one would fall or become weak the wisdom teeth would replace it. It's vestigial in our body.I didn't have to get any of mine pulled out.So,I guess they are still there.No plans of deserting them yet,lol.
@mzbubblie (3839)
• United States
28 Mar 07
hehehehehe, too funny...I know what you mean if it ain't broke don't fix it...
@killahclaire (3665)
•
27 Mar 07
I think some people get wisdom teeth as part of evolution. I think maybe everyone sued to get them as it helps with eating meat and chewing food in general. Youo generally do get your wisdom teeth in adult life and it can be very painful. My fiend jsut got acouple out the other day.
I am sure there are plenty of horror stories I oculd look up on the net for you btu i would rather not. Yuck!
@accioetoile (319)
• United States
27 Mar 07
I actually have all four of my wisdom teeth still. When they were breaking through the gums, it was a little painful, but once they were in, they were fine. I still haven't gone to the dentist about them, but that has more to do with the fact that I haven't had insurance, and since they don't hurt, I don't bother.
As far as for why we have them, on wikipedia, it says that it's possible that wisdom teeth were useful back when it was common for people used to lose several teeth to tooth decay, so there would actually be room for the teeth.
@mzbubblie (3839)
• United States
28 Mar 07
Ahh, thank you for that information. Also, that's good you have yours and they are not bothering you. I wish I never had to get mine out, cause them cutting and pulling really got me with a sore mouth for about 2 days
@Methodless (882)
• Canada
27 Mar 07
Humans are slowly evolving to not have them anymore, that's why not everybody has 4, I only had 2, and 20% of the population doesn't get any.
We get them because as others have said, we used to need them and we used to have bigger jaws. Also, with less dental care then, by the age they come in, we may have lost a few teeth by then.
