“Are there many people missing wisdom teeth?”
“Is it okay not to have wisdom teeth?”
“How rare is it for wisdom teeth to be missing?”
These are all questions entered into search engines every day. We will defi ne some of the reasons why people are missing one or more wisdom teeth. We’ll also examine why we have wisdom teeth, their function, when they typically erupt, and what happens if they create problems or don’t ever appear!
The eruption of wisdom teeth (the third set of molars) usually occurs in the late teens or early twenties. People were thought to be “older and wiser” at this age; that is how “wisdom teeth” came to be.
If wisdom teeth have not appeared by the mid-twenties, dental X-rays will show if teeth lie beneath the gum line and haven’t yet erupted or are missing altogether. It can also show whether you have impacted wisdom teeth.
Lack of wisdom teeth is not a problem that concerns your oral health. In fact, if you do not develop wisdom teeth, you don’t have the potential issue of impacted wisdom teeth or needing to have them removed with oral surgery.
Third molars have existed in the mouths of humans for many years. Our ancestors ate many uncooked foods and meat, and the extra teeth helped to grind and digest these foods. The human jaw was larger and had suffi cient space for the extra molars, and the wisdom teeth served an essential purpose when eating.
Modern humans with four wisdom teeth usually have no room for them. Many people need to have wisdom teeth removed by an oral surgeon. Human diets are not the same in these modern times, and the other teeth can perform chewing functions. Although we no longer need wisdom teeth, most people still have them.
Research suggests that about 25% of the population will not form one or more wisdom teeth. Molar agenesis, or the congenital absence of molars, is one of the dental anomalies attributed to genetics and environmental factors. However, certain conditions are also associated with missing wisdom teeth, such as cleft lip and palate, down syndrome, and ectodermal dysplasia (anomalies of the skin, hair, and nails).
Genetic Factors - The absence of wisdom teeth is heritable. Research suggests that the lack of one or more wisdom teeth is due to gene changes involved with facial and tooth development. European ancestry tracking shows that the lack of wisdom teeth seems more common when other teeth are also missing in the mouth.
Environmental Factors - Geographical differences show the prevalence of third molar agenesis. This is because facial development is smaller, and there is not enough space for third molars to form. This study has determined that environmental factors and the lifestyles of many cultures can cause ethnic differences in the mouth's structure.
Other factors can infl uence whether wisdom teeth are present or absent. Chemotherapy, exposure to certain viruses, infection of different body areas, and taking various medications in childhood can affect the development of adult teeth.
Other associated dental anomalies, such as cysts on the gums, tumors, or infections, can also affect the oral health of the adult teeth and mouth and the presence of wisdom teeth. A dentist will note any of these concerns, as they can have other health implications and need to be treated.
Most adults have four wisdom teeth. These third molars are at the back of the upper and lower permanent teeth. But they are no longer crucial to humans, and our other teeth can do the job.
Not everyone has third molars, but if you have them, the wisdom teeth are the last molars to erupt. Some late teens and young adults never have problems with their wisdom teeth; they erupt and grow properly.
Others create issues. Some wisdom teeth come in sideways or at another angle or become stuck in the gums (impacted) and can cause pain. They put pressure on the surrounding teeth. Nine out of ten people have one or more impacted wisdom teeth. If this shows up on an X-ray, we will most likely recommend that you have these wisdom teeth removed.
When there is not enough space for the teeth to fully emerge from the gums, the molars located in front of the wisdom teeth can be affected. Crowding, pain, increased risk of infection, and swelling of the gums can cause more harm to the other teeth than other separate factors.
Not everyone has all four of their third molars, as wisdom teeth do not always form in every person. Many factors affect whether or not one has wisdom teeth, but the most prevalent are genetics and the environment. Smaller jaw size, fewer teeth, and other missing teeth in the mouth can also be contributing factors.
If your teen is having pain or problems with their wisdom teeth - or any other tooth - please call Jungle Roots to schedule an appointment. During the exam, we will identify any issues and determine if treatment is needed. We are happy to discuss any questions or concerns about your child’s teeth. It’s our privilege to help your children feel safe and comfortable in our offi ce and enjoy their healthiest smiles!
Sources:
1. https://jungleroots.com/post/dens-invaginatus-sequestrum-of-bone-pre-eruptive-caries-and-more-6-scary-sounding-dental-conditions-explained/
2. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3873309/
3. https://medicover-genetics.com/wisdom-teeth-and-genetics-why-some-people-do-not-have-wisdom-teeth/#What_other_factors_infl uence_the_development_of_wisdom_teeth
4. https://myoms.org/assets/uploads/documents/Ebook_Wisdom_Teeth_R.pdf
