Scientists Finally Know Reason Behind Wisdom Teeth Delay Is The Jaw Bone

Scientists finally know why adults grow wisdom teeth so late in life. Most people end up removing their wisdom teeth, while in others these extra two pairs of teeth at the back of our mouth grow without any issues.

Not everyone has wisdom teeth though. It's possible for people to have anywhere between zero to four wisdom teeth. Healthline claims that on average, people grow wisdom teeth at the age between 18 and 20 years.

Now, it appears that scientists have finally understood why most of us grow wisdom teeth towards the end of our teenage years. A new study published in Science Advances from the Arizona State University suggests that jaws simply take time to grow. Owing to the slow pace of jaw growth, most people have to undergo the painful natural phenomenon in their late teens.

iStock

Why does the jaw grow so slowly?

During the course of our lives, the jaw undergoes as many changes as the rest of our body, mostly caused by the constant chewing. This changes the jaw structure. The onset of wisdom teeth is delayed owing to a variety of reasons including our short faces and the pace of our jaw's growth, as one of the authors, Gary Schwartz said in a press release.

Also read: Science Has Found A Way To Fully Regrow Broken Teeth

Unsplash

Our lives are relatively longer than our faces. Odd as it sounds, it's a fact. Due to this, our bodies take good time to develop unlike other living beings. Our jaws too, are pushed quite inward when compared to our close relatives like gorillas or chimpanzees who have a visible protrusion in their faces. A combination of these evolutionary factors and the rate of human growth contribute to this late arrival of wisdom teeth.

Unsplash

If it's normal, why do people take them out, you wonder? Scientifically, you don't always need to get your wisdom teeth out. In some cultures like the US, it's common to remove all wisdom teeth. In many countries like India, it's common practice to remove wisdom teeth only if they pose a threat to the health of the person and their mouth.

Also read: Mysterious Signals From Milky Way Galaxy's Centre Are Confusing Scientists

Do you have your wisdom teeth or did you get them removed? Tell us in the comments below. For the latest in the world of science and technology, keep reading Indiatimes.com.