What is happening to our wisdom teeth?
Humans
are evolving! Proof of this is that we
have smaller jaws than those of our distant ancestors and that a chromosomal
mutation called MYH16 may have allowed for humans to have larger brains, while
at the same time has reduced the need for wisdom teeth. This is fascinating!
It is estimated that up to
35% of the current population have congenitally missing wisdom teeth. It isn’t that uncommon anymore, as wisdom
teeth are considered to be vestigial structures, meaning they are no longer
necessary, even though they once served a purpose. Additionally, ethnicity and environment may play a
role. People of Asian descent and the
Inuit are the least likely group to have wisdom teeth, however, it appears that
the current trend towards fewer or absent wisdom teeth is due to simple evolution.
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