Curious Kids is a series for children of all ages. If you have a question you’d like an expert to answer, send it to [email protected].
Why do people have wisdom teeth? – Jack J., age 17, Dedham, Massachusetts
Wisdom teeth are the third set of molars located at the very back of the mouth. They look just like the first and second molars, but can sometimes be a little smaller.
They are commonly called wisdom teeth because they are the last of the 32 permanent teeth to appear, emerging between 17 and 25 years of age, when you are older and wiser.
You might know that not everyone grows all four wisdom teeth. You might also know many people get them pulled. So it’s fair to wonder – why do humans even have them?
Westudy teeth and can tell you the answer has a lot to do with the distant past – and a bit about the present day, too.
More powerful jaws
Just like you have many features in common with the people you’re related to, humans share features with their extended family – the primates. Monkeys, gorillas and chimpanzees all have wisdom teeth.
A few million years ago, early human ancestors had larger jaws and teeth than humans do today. For example, a species called Australopithecus afarensis, nicknamed Lucy’s species after a famous fossil specimen called Lucy, lived roughly 3 million to 4 million years ago.
Curious Kids is a series for children of all ages. If you have a question you’d like an expert to answer, send it to [email protected].
Why do people have wisdom teeth? – Jack J., age 17, Dedham, Massachusetts
Wisdom teeth are the third set of molars located at the very back of the mouth. They look just like the first and second molars, but can sometimes be a little smaller.
They are commonly called wisdom teeth because they are the last of the 32 permanent teeth to appear, emerging between 17 and 25 years of age, when you are older and wiser.
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