In modern times, wisdom teeth removal is a very common oral surgery. Many people go through it during their adolescence or early adulthood. However, that has not always been the case. In fact, in the past, the third molars were very important for humans! Are you curious about the fascinating history of wisdom teeth? In this blog post, a Houston oral surgeon explains some interesting information.
The Vital Role of Wisdom Teeth
Early human ancestors ate a much different diet than modern people. They had to consume a lot of things like nuts, leaves, and even raw meat. As you can imagine, that took a toll on their teeth! By the time they reached early adulthood, a third set of molars — the wisdom teeth — could be an indispensable asset. Ancient humans also tended to have larger jaws than people today, meaning that their mouths could easily accommodate the additional teeth.
Food Processing and Changes to the Human Jaw
As time progressed, humans made some big leaps forward in the way they processed and prepared food. Eating utensils became commonplace, and new food preparation techniques were increasingly used. The human diet became softer overall and easier to consume.
Because the human genome is dynamic, a softer human diet led to adaptations in the shape of the jaw; it became smaller. The wisdom teeth also became much less important for survival.
Wisdom Teeth Today
With changes to the human jaw, wisdom teeth became more than unnecessary. In fact, for many people, they became a health threat. Because they can get stuck beneath the gumline, and because they are difficult to clean, they increase the risk of infections, pain, and other complications.
Wisdom teeth removal started to become a common procedure sometime in the 19th or 20th century. Around that time, dental anesthesia became more widely used, so it was much easier for people to undergo extractions. Prior to that, preventive wisdom tooth removal was almost never performed because it could be quite painful.
Thankfully, the modern process of removing wisdom teeth is much easier than what past generations went through. Anesthesia and sedation, along with advanced treatment techniques, have made this procedure a routine part of many oral surgeons’ schedules. This treatment has the potential to spare people from pain and safeguard their long-term oral health!
The history of wisdom teeth is fascinating! It can help us to appreciate the marvels of modern dentistry.
Meet the Practice
Our oral surgery practice proudly offers wisdom tooth removal for the Houston community. We use advanced techniques and sedation to make the procedure as comfortable and safe as possible. To learn more about it or to request a consultation, contact Piney Point Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery at 713-783-5560.