Why is the wisdom tooth so called and by whom is this name given?

We all know that a person has a wisdom called in the people. Why is it called? Probably, every person thought about this question at least once in his life. Today, the topic of our article will be wisdom teeth. We learn not only where they come from, but also talk about their characteristics.

How is wisdom tooth called in dentistry?

Those units, which we are accustomed to call only wisdom teeth, dentists call upper and lower third molars. These molars are located in the posterior part of the alveolar process. The third molars are found in most mammals. They are used for grinding food. An adult patient usually has twelve molars( three in each group).These units are often significantly larger than premolars. They also have a larger surface area. Nature, this factor was provided so that people could grind hard and solid foods. Next we will talk about why the wisdom tooth is so called. The photo is shown below. After all, not all patients have their third molars. A tooth of wisdom: why is it called that?

There is no single answer to this question. But there are several assumptions about which we will talk. Why is the wisdom tooth so called and by whom is this name given? Dentists suggest that the answers lie in the late eruption of these units. A person has 32 teeth, 4 of which are third molars. They appear much later than the remaining units on the jawbone. Typically, this occurs at the age of 15-27 years. Sometimes eruption happens later. One of the main theories is the assumption that our ancestors needed extra teeth for chewing solid food. That is why even in adulthood they developed additional molars.

As for our contemporaries, many of them do not have these teeth at all. Scientists suggest that the appearance of third molars can be called a long-awaited reaction of the body to the need to grind stiffer food in adulthood. This is just one of the existing theories about the wisdom tooth. Why is this molar so called? Dentists believe that they called these units so popularly. And the appearance of the name is associated with age. After all, at the moment of eruption of the third molars, a person already has a certain life experience, it can be called wise.

Relevance of wisdom teeth today in question

We have already said that in some patients, third molars do not erupt at all. Or, there are one or two units out of four planned teeth. If during a lifetime the wisdom teeth did not erupt, it means only that the rudiments were not formed. Modern scientists believe that today wisdom teeth are irrelevant. After all, mankind has long since switched to soft food. Modern technology( fork, spoon, knife) contributed to minimizing the need for additional molars. Some biologists and physicians classify wisdom teeth as parts of the body or organs that became nonfunctional due to evolution.

Complications in the eruption of third molars

It is extremely rare for a patient to have a painless wisdom tooth. Why is it so called? We will talk about this later. And now consider several options for erupting third molars in humans.

At best, the tooth has the correct location on the jawbone. This happens only on condition that it has enough space to properly form. Then it erupts without any complications. The only discomfort for a person can be a periodic aching pain.

Sometimes the third molar is not cut through. However, it interferes with the surrounding units. As a rule, this leads to an inflammatory process and pain.

There is also such that wisdom teeth are cut for a very long time. In this case the inflammation becomes permanent. The process is accompanied by an increase in temperature and strong pain. This scenario is dangerous complications.

In some cases, the third molar was formed, but did not erupt at all. But at the same time it can still be dangerous. Such a tooth is capable of provoking damage to the roots of neighboring units, touching their nerves. In this case, surgery will most likely be necessary.

Another theory of the emergence of the name of wisdom teeth

We could not help considering the possible complications associated with the appearance of third molars. In this case, the arrangement of the units makes them often inaccessible to the toothbrush. And we all know that inadequate oral hygiene leads to the development of caries. What happens? In the modern world, wisdom teeth bring only harm, having lost its functionality? But can there be something superfluous in the nature, unnecessary?

There are scientific studies proving the connection of physical matter with the human psyche. There is a theory that teeth in the human body can symbolize decisiveness. Psychologists concluded that it is not in vain that some people experience difficulties when a wisdom tooth appears. Why this is the name of this unit, we now consider another theory. Scientists have established that a person who does not take a place in consciousness to form the foundation of his life, delays the eruption of additional units on the jawbone. It is assumed that the word "wisdom" in the name of the teeth by our ancestors was implied in another context. The psychophysical connection shows that if a person has the wisdom to a certain age enough to see his life path, to understand the meaning of being, to resolutely implement his plans, then there should not be problems with the wisdom teeth. Simply put, the presence of third molars can indicate the extent to which their owner is wise.

Instead of the conclusion

From all it is visible, that not every modern person has a wisdom tooth. Why is it called a unit? We examined several interesting theories that explain the name of the third molars. In conclusion, I would like to note that each person recommends that experts carefully monitor oral hygiene and visit a regular dentist. Then there will be less problems with teeth.