Humans have wisdom teeth, which are the third set of molars that typically emerge between the ages of 17 and 21. These teeth evolved to help early humans chew and grind tough, raw foods like roots, nuts, raw plants, and uncooked meat as part of their primitive diet. The additional chewing power was beneficial for consuming these coarse foods. However, as humans evolved, started cooking food, and developed tools such as knives and forks, the need for wisdom teeth diminished. Simultaneously, human jaws became smaller through evolution, often leaving insufficient space for wisdom teeth to fit properly. For many people today, wisdom teeth can become impacted or misaligned, which often leads to their removal. Despite this, wisdom teeth can still serve to support the back of the mouth and preserve jawbone when they erupt correctly. Overall, wisdom teeth are considered vestigial organs—once useful but largely unnecessary in modern humans—passed down from ancestors with different dietary needs.
