Why do they call them wisdom teeth, and where did the name come from?

1. 69

   TheHoleStoryposted 8 years ago

   Why do they call them wisdom teeth, and where did the name come from?
   
   Wisdom teeth aren't at all very useful as far as teeth go. They are literary a pain to have removed, and I've also never heard of the tooth fairy paying any more for wisdom teeth either. They certainly aren't the smartest teeth that are hanging around in your mouth, so why are they called wisdom teeth.
   
   

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2. 95

   Phyllis Doyleposted 8 years ago

   Wisdom teeth generally erupt between the ages of 17 and 25 - which is when we have gained enough smarts to go on with life. LOL  Sorry, I really do not have a good answer for your question.
   
   According to Wiki: Wisdom teeth erupt much later than the other teeth, at an age where people are presumably "wiser" than as a child,

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   1. 91

      MizBejabbersposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Phyllis, X-rays showed that my lower wisdom teeth never developed. but I still have my two uppers. Does this mean I'm not as wise as I could have been?

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   2. 69

      TheHoleStoryposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      It may mean MizBejabbers that you are only 50% as smart as people out there with all 4 wisdom teeth. Of coarse I'm only joking MizBejabbers, because you are one of the nicest and smartest hubbers out there on the Hub Pages!

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   3. 95

      Phyllis Doyleposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      haha MizB - my lower ones never came in either. Maybe we still contain some wisdom that is yet to surprise  us.

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3. 48

   possum loverposted 8 years ago

   Our ancient ancestors used wisdom teeth to help grind and chew vegetation. Like the appendix, wisdom teeth have out lived there use for the human body.

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   1. 69

      TheHoleStoryposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Now that kind of reasoning makes a lot of sense.

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4. 93

   Rachel L Albaposted 8 years ago

   LOL !!  That's a good question.  I'm in my 60's and I still have my wisdom teeth.

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