July 19, 2025
Most people think of wisdom teeth as something that eventually needs to be removed. They’re known for causing crowding, pain, and even infections—but why do we have them at all if they just end up being taken out?
It turns out, wisdom teeth once played an important role in human survival. Let’s explore the evolutionary purpose behind these third molars and why they so often need to be extracted today.
A Throwback to Our Ancestors
Wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, typically emerge between the ages of 17 and 25—often long after the rest of our adult teeth have come in. Anthropologists believe these teeth served an important purpose in early human diets.
Our ancestors ate a much tougher, rawer diet than we do today—think roots, nuts, raw meat, and leaves. This required a strong jaw and a lot of chewing. Over time, that excessive wear caused early tooth loss, and having an extra set of molars was useful for grinding food and maintaining function as front teeth wore down or fell out.
These days, our diets are much softer and our oral hygiene is significantly better, so tooth loss is less common. But evolution hasn’t caught up yet—most of us still develop wisdom teeth, even though we don’t truly need them anymore.
Why Wisdom Teeth Often Need to Be Removed
Although wisdom teeth once served a purpose, they often create more problems than benefits in modern mouths. Here’s why they typically need to come out:
- Lack of space: Human jaws have gradually become smaller over thousands of years. As a result, many people don’t have enough room to accommodate wisdom teeth without crowding or shifting other teeth.
- Impaction: When wisdom teeth don’t fully emerge from the gums, they can become impacted—trapped beneath the surface and angled incorrectly. This can cause pain, swelling, and infections.
- Risk of decay and gum disease: Because of their position in the back of the mouth, wisdom teeth are harder to clean. This increases the risk of cavities and gum disease.
- Cyst formation: In some cases, an impacted wisdom tooth can lead to a cyst or tumor, which can damage nearby teeth and jawbone.
Removing wisdom teeth is often a proactive decision made by dentists to prevent these complications before they arise, especially when the teeth are impacted or emerging at odd angles.
When to Talk to Your Dentist
Not everyone needs to have their wisdom teeth removed. Some people have enough space in their mouths and never experience any issues. However, regular dental exams and X-rays can help determine whether your wisdom teeth are coming in properly or posing a risk.
If you’re experiencing pain, swelling, or changes in bite alignment, it may be time to explore wisdom tooth extraction as a preventative measure.
Wisdom teeth are a fascinating relic of our evolutionary past—but in today’s world, they often create more harm than good.
About the Practice
At Salt Lake Smiles, Dr. Osterhoudt provides comprehensive, patient-centered dental care for the whole community. Ready to say goodbye to your wisdom teeth? Our services include safe and efficient wisdom tooth extractions, personalized to minimize discomfort and prevent long-term oral health issues. Whether your wisdom teeth are causing pain or just need evaluation, the team at Salt Lake Smiles is here to help you make the right decision for your oral health.
Call us at (801) 568-0172 or request an appointment online.