Tooth Tally: Does Everyone Have Wisdom Teeth?

Are you a young adult between about 17 to 21 years old and have you noticed your jaw feels sore lately? If so, you might be experiencing wisdom tooth pain. These last molars typically arrive years after your other adult teeth have grown in and tend to cause issues, like impaction, overcrowding, and severe aches. As a result, most dentists recommend extracting them before they become problematic.

It’s normal to have questions about this treatment, like why we have wisdom teeth at all and how many must be removed. Continue reading to learn more so you’re well informed before proceeding!

Why do We Have Wisdom Teeth?

You’re not alone if you’re wondering why we grow these last molars, especially when they’re removed more often than not. Today, these teeth are considered a vestigial feature because they’re no longer required for our survival.

However, it’s believed that early humans may have evolved them to replace any molars that had been lost or damaged in their youth. Ancient people subsisted on a rough diet of raw meat, nuts, roots, and seeds. Without access to dental care, cooked meals, or utensils to cut up their food, they likely sustained plenty of damage to their chompers by the time they reached their 20s. Wisdom teeth might have allowed them to continue biting and chewing normally despite their dental condition.

How Many Wisdom Teeth do People Have?

Most people have four wisdom of these molars total; one for each quadrant of their mouth. They typically crop up in the upper right, lower right, upper left, and lower left corners of your mouth. However, not everyone is born with that many. Some individuals have only one, two, or three, while others are lucky enough to never grow any. According to the Dental Research Journal, an estimated 5% to 37% of people are missing one or more of these third molars.

The reason for this is unknown, though many experts believe that genetics play a significant role. If either of your parents is missing some of them, you’re also less likely to grow all four.

Are All Wisdom Teeth Extracted?

Usually, it’s best to remove them before they cause issues. Over time, human jaws became shorter and rounder, so they no longer have the same amount of space to accommodate these large teeth. As a result, they’re prone to becoming trapped in your gums, developing cysts or infection, growing at inappropriate angles, and pushing neighboring teeth out of alignment.

Your dentist can take X-rays to reveal how many wisdom teeth you have and where they’re located. Depending on their findings, they may recommend removing only one or two, but chances are that they’ll want to extract them all to preserve your smile.

About the Practice

At Queen Creek Complete Dental, patients benefit from a team of dentists eager to help families build and maintain happy, healthy smiles. Dr. Jafari, Dr. Ferreira, and Dr. Patel share 20+ years of combined experience providing a wide array of services to meet all your needs under one roof, including wisdom tooth extractions. They take the time to get to know your unique concerns and goals, then combine their compassionate approach with advanced technology for comfortable, accurate treatment results. You can request an appointment on the website or call (480) 722-1200.