It has been estimated that 10-25% of Americans with European ancestry, 11% of African Americans and 40% of Asian Americans are missing at least one wisdom tooth. While 45% of Inuit, indigenous people who live in the arctic regions of Canada, Alaska and Greenland, have at least one missing wisdom tooth [5].
This might become a point of jealousy at some point, but wisdom tooth development is a genetic matter and not everyone carries the genes for them. For instance, indigenous Mexican peoples have a 100% rate of not having wisdom teeth, while almost all European or African peoples develop wisdom teeth.
Not everyone has to hassle with wisdom teeth. Some people aren't born with a complete set and studies have shown that approximately a third of people are born without any. And while some people may have the teeth, they never see them emerge.
Ten to 25 percent of Americans with European ancestry, 11 percent of those with African ancestry, and 40 percent of those with Asian ancestry are missing one or more wisdom teeth.
Some People Don't Get Wisdom Teeth
These genetic differences make some groups less likely to have wisdom teeth. One group less likely to get wisdom teeth, for instance, is those with indigenous Mexican ancestry. Most African American and Caucasian people get wisdom teeth.
Wisdom Teeth AKA, Your Third Molar!
This breaks down to nearly 25 percent of Americans with European ancestry, 12 percent of Americans with African ancestry and over 40 percent of Americans with Asian ancestry. And strangely enough, Asians do not have wisdom teeth to contend with.
In general, the wisdom teeth erupt in Nigerians with some constancy between the age of 15 and 21. The wisdom teeth fail to erupt in 5% of the individuals.
There are two main reasons why some individuals have no wisdom teeth: They are present but still haven't erupted yet. Wisdom teeth may never erupt if they are impacted (not enough space for them to grow) and may remain dormant in the jawbone for many years. The lack of wisdom teeth is related to genes.
That exposes the underlying bone and nerves and results in severe pain. More serious risks, which become more common with age, include nerve and blood-vessel damage. As with any surgery, wisdom-tooth removal does carry the very rare risk of death.
When a tooth can't come in, it may grow at an angle and damage the nearby healthy teeth. Fluid-filled tumors can also develop, leading to bone and facial nerve damage. And although some people experience no symptoms from impacted teeth, many have severe pain as well as swelling and bleeding in the gums.
Because their teeth were the only tools they had for breaking down tough, uncooked foods, they needed a broader jaw containing extra molars. Wisdom teeth gave them the power to chew a broader variety of raw foods.
In fact, where they are not negatively impacting oral and/or overall health, it is best to keep wisdom teeth intact. Properly erupted wisdom teeth provide support in the back of the mouth and help maintain bone in the jaw. This support is beneficial to the health of the temporo mandibular joint (TMJ).
In fact, the incidence of wisdom teeth in those with Tasmanian Aboriginal ancestry is practically zero. By contrast, nearly 100% of indigenous Mexicans have wisdom teeth.
Up to 80% of young adults in Europe have at least one wisdom tooth that hasn't broken through. This is more common in the lower jaw than it is in the upper jaw. The reason is usually that there isn't enough room in the jaw. Other teeth may then get in the way of the wisdom tooth, or it might come in crooked.
Can wisdom teeth really emerge in your 40s? Yes they can. We have had a number of patients at our Houston dental office have their wisdom tooth erupt even into their late 40s. If this is a concern that is currently happening inside your mouth then it's a good idea to see a dental professional as soon as possible.
Most young adults receive their wisdom teeth between 17-21. The teeth are named wisdom because they appear when young people join college and learn to be independent. Many people will get four wisdom teeth, but it is normal to have less than four or none at all.
Wisdom teeth or third molars (M3s) are the last, most posteriorly placed permanent teeth to erupt. They usually erupt into the mouth between 17 and 25 years of age. They can, however, erupt many years later.
In Tanzania (among Makonde tribes), chipped or peg-shaped upper and lower incisors are believed to be a sign of beauty, strength or passage from teenage to adulthood.
The removal of wisdom teeth, or third molars, is one of the most common procedures carried out in the UK. The wisdom teeth grow at the back of your gums and are the last teeth to come through. Most people have 4 wisdom teeth – one in each corner.
Passion gap or Cape Flats smile is a dental modification originating in Cape Flats, Cape Town, South Africa in which people deliberately remove the upper front teeth (maxillary incisors) for fashion and status.
Anthropologists believe wisdom teeth were especially helpful for our prehistoric ancestors, who needed serious chewing power to grind through the rough plants, seeds, nuts and foliage which made up the bulk of their diets. As teeth wore down or fell out, wisdom teeth could step in and provide a much-needed replacement.
Yes, it is possible to have more than four wisdom teeth. This is relatively rare, occurring in less than 5% of the population. Having more than four wisdom teeth is not necessarily a cause for concern, but it's important to monitor them closely to make sure they are not causing any problems.
Your dentist may recommend that you have your wisdom teeth removed if they cause pain or an infection, crowd other teeth, or get stuck (impacted) and can't break through your gums.