![\"wisdom](\"https:\/\/www.mygreatsmile.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/dental-emergency-300x200.jpg\")
<\/a>\u2022 Thirty-five percent of the population is born without wisdom teeth. Whether our teeth have evolved or culture is responsible is up for debate. But it seems we no longer need these teeth for survival.\n\u2022 Wisdom teeth are the only teeth that are not formed in the womb.
\n\u2022 While most people have four wisdom teeth, having more (supernumerary teeth) or less (hypodontia) is possible.
\n\u2022 Wisdom teeth are actually called the third molars. They got their nickname from the age when they typically grow in. Third molars do not appear until the dental arch becomes larger, around the age of 17-25\u2026a time also referred to as the \u201cage of wisdom.\u201d
\n\u2022 According to the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, an estimated 85% of wisdom teeth will eventually need to be removed. This can be because the teeth are impacted or because the area is difficult to reach and difficult to clean.
\n\u2022 If wisdom teeth need to be removed, it is best to remove them at a younger age.
\n\u2022 Nine out of ten people have at least one impacted wisdom tooth. When there isn\u2019t enough room for a tooth to enter the mouth fully, it is called \u201cimpacted.\u201d If left in the mouth, it may damage neighboring teeth, or become decayed due to the difficulty in reaching and cleaning that area of the mouth and gums.
\n\u2022 The most common and serious consequence of impacted wisdom teeth is gum (periodontal) disease which can affect your general health and the health of your mouth and gums.<\/p>\n