Ever Wonder Why We Have Wisdom Teeth? COAFS Explains the Details

Charleston Oral and Facial Surgery has recently published a new blog post discussing why people grow wisdom teeth even though they are better off without them. Though wisdom teeth are typically removed today, they used to serve a functional purpose dating back to some of our earliest ancestors.

Per the post on Charleston Oral and Facial Surgery’s website, “Our earliest ancestors survived on a diet of coarse, tough food (such as meat, nuts, roots, leaves and berries), which required more chewing power and caused excessive wear of the teeth. In order to be able to eat these foods necessary for survival, they needed a broader jaw and strong molars. A broader jaw was able to accommodate the wisdom teeth and allowed them to erupt into the mouth normally.”

Today, eating is a lot easier as diets are much softer and prepared differently. Because of this, the human jaw line has become narrower over time. Due to the size change in the jaw line, not all 32 teeth are able to fit properly.

To read the entire blog post about the history of wisdom teeth on Charleston Oral and Facial Surgery’s website, click here: https://www.charlestonoralandfacialsurgery.com/oral-surgery/why-do-we-have-wisdom-teeth/

For residents of Charleston, SC or the surrounding areas and that are experiencing wisdom teeth growth or pain, please contact one of Charleston Oral and Facial Surgery’s many convenient locations to learn more about how they can help. They have offices in Charleston, North Charleston, Summerville, Mt. Pleasant, and Bluffton, SC to make receiving quality care more accessible.

The friendly staff & oral surgeons at Charleston Oral and Facial Surgery are trained to make all patient visits as pleasant and informative as possible to ensure they are providing the best surgical care possible. To learn more about wisdom teeth or to schedule a consultation, call Charleston Oral and Facial Surgery at 843-762-9028.