Often enough, most people only learn about wisdom teeth as adults. The average person won’t know “third molars” exist until a dentist actively informs them. With all that said, it’s only natural to ask a key question: Does everyone have wisdom teeth? Your Beverly dentist doesn’t want to leave you hanging, so you can find the answer below. Just keep reading to learn about wisdom teeth, how many people get them, and how to manage your own.
The Basics of Wisdom Teeth
You must know the basics about wisdom teeth before you can grasp who gets them. After all, these former details provide crucial context.
Wisdom teeth – also known as “third molars” – are the ones that develop last. More specifically, they emerge in the back of one’s mouth between the ages of 17 and 25 (i.e., the “years of wisdom”). Said teeth usually cause problems when left unchecked, so they often require care from dentists.
If a wisdom tooth fails to emerge properly, it’ll cause certain telltale signs. These include:
- Facial pain from wisdom teeth pressing on nerves
- Jaw pain or tenderness
- Redness or swelling in your gums
- White flecks behind your last molars
Only Some Get Wisdom Teeth
While wisdom teeth were common among ancient humans, only some people get them now. A person might develop one, two, three, four, or none at all.
Indeed, current research backs these conclusions. The Dental Research Journal notes that 5-37% of the global population lacks some wisdom teeth. Furthermore, it finds that only 53% of people worldwide have at least one such tooth; the others don’t have any such “wise” chompers.
These trends seem to stem from genetics. “Third molars” helped ancient humans, but don’t do so now; the genes related to them thus occur less. One could even say wisdom teeth are vestigial structures – useless traits inherited from distant evolutionary ancestors. To that extent, fewer and fewer people are born with them.
Managing Your Own Wisdom Teeth
Should you have wisdom teeth, you’ll likely need a dentist to look after them. A dental professional can see if your third molars require treatment.
Remember, a dentist can perform a wisdom tooth extraction as needed. This procedure removes your extra tooth (or teeth) before they cause lasting damage to your smile. It’s also pain-free and safe, as the treating dentist would numb your mouth before proceeding.
Since not everyone has wisdom teeth, consult your dental provider about them. They’ll confirm whether you have any and what to do about them.
About the Practice
Beverly Farms Dental is based in Beverly, WA. Led by Drs. Tolzmann, Quintero, and Cifuni, our practice takes pride in its 30+ years of offering quality dentistry. We thus push forward with top-tier care that suits your smile’s needs, whether you need a simple dental checkup or complex dental implants. You can rest assured we’ll help your grin thrive! For more details or to book a visit, please contact us on our website or by phone at (789)-273-515.
