What do you know about the history of wisdom teeth? Have they ever had a purpose? When did we first start evolving them? Find out the answers to these queries and others by reading this post we’ve put together about the history of wisdom teeth. If you have any additional questions about wisdom teeth, our oral surgeon and team would be thrilled to answer them on your next appointment to our office.

Around 100 million years ago, humans walked on all fours and had large jaws. As it turns out, this vast jaw could accommodate 32 teeth easily; we still develop up to 32 chompers today, but the wisdom teeth either don’t manifest or need to be removed if they do because they may complicate breathing and other critical human activities. Our ancestors used the four wisdom teeth to chew and grind leaves and roots. But after a mutation fashioned smaller jaws, brains started growing bigger and mankind began cooking and using cooking instruments like fire to soften food, making the third molars less required. Or at least that’s how scientists believe it happened!