A few months ago, I realized that something feels different in my mouth and, after a short visit to the mirror, I saw that one of my wisdom teeth is coming out. First, I started jumping all around like crazy, then I called my mother to tell her the big news. My sister didn't really share my joy - she rolled her eyes and said "What's the big deal, I had all four when I was 20", at which I happily answered "New tooth! New tooth!"
My joy was somehow shattered a couple of days later, when I discovered that my second wisdom tooth is also coming out and realized that maybe I should have them removed - after all, that's what almost all the people I know did. But, you know me, worry didn't send me to the dentist (it did make me though wash my teeth more often). Till now, I am fine, I sometimes feel a little bit of pain but I have found my medicine: chewing gums - don't know how or why, but it really works!
At some point, I also remembered that someone had once told me that, nowadays, wisdom teeth are totally useless to the human species and those who do not have them at all are more "evolved" than the rest of us common people. I tried to reconcile with this, but finally decided to google it and see if it's true. Here is what I found:
The third molars (=wisdom teeth) helped our ancestors chew hard food and also served as a backup when the rest of the teeth were lost. Yes, third molars are pretty much useless today, as our nutrition does not include tough roots/raw meat and dental care allows us preserve our teeth for a long-long time. Nevertheless, not having them probably does not signify any evolutionary step, since no-wisdom-teeth holders live/reproduce as much and are as strong as the rest of us, thus they do not have any evolutionary advantage. (More info here and here)
However, I can't help but think: if life becomes like those fantasy/sci-fi movies, when everything is destroyed and people have to survive like animals, then we'll see who is evolved and who is not!
At some point, I also remembered that someone had once told me that, nowadays, wisdom teeth are totally useless to the human species and those who do not have them at all are more "evolved" than the rest of us common people. I tried to reconcile with this, but finally decided to google it and see if it's true. Here is what I found:
The third molars (=wisdom teeth) helped our ancestors chew hard food and also served as a backup when the rest of the teeth were lost. Yes, third molars are pretty much useless today, as our nutrition does not include tough roots/raw meat and dental care allows us preserve our teeth for a long-long time. Nevertheless, not having them probably does not signify any evolutionary step, since no-wisdom-teeth holders live/reproduce as much and are as strong as the rest of us, thus they do not have any evolutionary advantage. (More info here and here)
However, I can't help but think: if life becomes like those fantasy/sci-fi movies, when everything is destroyed and people have to survive like animals, then we'll see who is evolved and who is not!
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