Molar and wisdom teeth are two types of teeth that play important roles in our dental health. Let’s take a closer look at their functions.
Molars:
Molar are the large, flat teeth located in the back of your mouth. They have a wide surface area and are designed for grinding and chewing food. Molars have multiple cusps, or raised areas on the chewing surface, which help to break down tough and fibrous foods.
Molars also play a crucial role in maintaining the alignment of your jaw and other teeth their chewing function. The force generated by chewing helps to stimulate the bone tissue in your jaw, which helps to keep your jawbone strong and healthy.
Types Of Molars
There are three types of molars in our mouths: first molars, second molars, and third molars. The first and second molars typically erupt around ages 6-12 and 12-18, respectively. The third molars, also known as wisdom teeth, generally appear between the ages of 17-25.
Wisdom Teeth:
Wisdom teeth are the last set of molars to erupt in our mouths, and they are located at the back of the upper and lower jaw. Wisdom teeth are often associated with pain and discomfort, as they can become impacted, meaning they don’t have enough room to fully emerge. When this happens, they can cause swelling, infection, and even damage to neighbouring teeth.
Despite their troublesome reputation, wisdom teeth do have a function. Our ancestors needed these teeth to help chew tough and fibrous foods, such as roots and raw meat. However, as our diets have evolved over time, our jaws have become smaller, making it difficult for wisdom teeth to erupt and function properly.
In modern times, most people have their wisdom teeth removed. This is typically done as a preventive measure to avoid future dental problems, such as impacted teeth or infections.
Why Do We Have Wisdom Teeth?
Anthropologists believe that our early human ancestors had larger jaws and needed more teeth to help them chew tough, fibrous foods. As our diet changed over time, our jaws became smaller, but our genes did not have enough time to adapt to this new environment. As a result, many people’s mouths are not large enough to accommodate wisdom teeth, leading to impaction, infection, and other dental problems.
Some theories suggest that wisdom teeth may have been necessary in the past to replace other molars that were lost due to decay, disease, or injury. Others suggest that wisdom teeth may have played a role in human evolution by providing a reserve of replacement teeth in case of damage or loss.
It’s also worth noting that not everyone develops wisdom teeth. Some people may have fewer than four, while others may not have any at all. This further supports the idea that wisdom teeth are a remnant of our evolutionary past and not a necessary part of our dental anatomy.
In modern times, most dentists recommend the removal of wisdom teeth as a preventive measure, even if they are not causing problems. This is because wisdom teeth can be difficult to clean properly, leading to a higher risk of decay, infection, and other dental problems. While wisdom teeth may have served a purpose in our evolutionary past, they are not necessary for our current diet and lifestyle. Their presence can often cause dental problems, which is why their removal is a common procedure today.
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What are molars and wisdom teeth?
Molars are the large, flat teeth located at the back of your mouth. They have multiple cusps or raised areas on the chewing surface that help to break down tough and fibrous foods. Wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, are the last set of molars to erupt in our mouths and are located at the back of the upper and lower jaw.
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What is the function of molars?
Molars are designed for grinding and chewing food, and they have a wide surface area that helps to break down tough and fibrous foods. They also play a crucial role in maintaining the alignment of your jaw and other teeth.
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What is the function of wisdom teeth?
Wisdom teeth were once necessary for our early human ancestors to help chew tough and fibrous foods. However, as our diet has changed over time, our jaws have become smaller, making it difficult for wisdom teeth to function properly. In modern times, most people have their wisdom teeth removed to prevent future dental problems.
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Why do some people not have wisdom teeth?
Not everyone develops wisdom teeth. Some people may have fewer than four, while others may not have any at all. This is because our genes have not had enough time to adapt to our changing diet and lifestyle.
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Do wisdom teeth need to be removed?
In many cases, yes. Wisdom teeth are often removed as a preventive measure to avoid future dental problems, such as impacted teeth or infections. However, in some cases, wisdom teeth may not need to be removed if they are fully erupted and not causing any problems.
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What is the recovery process like after wisdom teeth removal?
Recovery from wisdom teeth removal can take several days to a week. During this time, you may experience swelling, pain, and bleeding. It’s important to follow your dentist’s instructions for care and to avoid hard or crunchy foods, smoking, and strenuous activity for several days.
In summary, molars and wisdom teeth are important teeth in our mouths, with specific functions related to chewing and maintaining the structure of our jaws. While molars are crucial for breaking down food and stimulating bone tissue, wisdom teeth are a remnant of our evolutionary past and are often removed to prevent future dental problems. It’s essential to take good dental care of all of our teeth to ensure a healthy and functional mouth.
