Explain why wisdom teeth are vestigial structures?

Answer 1

Your wisdom teeth are flat and are used for grinding. Evolutionists believe that our ancestors used them to grind and eat hard grains and seeds. Since modern mankind mainly eat vegetables and meats and often cook their foods, it is thought that they have receeded as they are not needed anymore. Evolution would thus dictate that they will eventually be lost altogether. Obviously there is disagreement on this topic depending on you beliefs.

I should add that it is not the wisdom teeth as such that is the victim of evolution. Since there has been a marked change in our dietary habits our jaws themselves became smaller, but somehow the evolutionary selection process forgot, that smaller jaws need lesser number of teeth.! The result is what we have today, smaller jaws and more teeth.So the last four teeth in each quadrant ( the third molars) have a difficult time wriggling out. It is true that we really don't need them for chewing.We may lose them all together in another million years.

Answer 2

In order to be able to understand this answer, you have to accept in the theory of evolution. Otherwise, read the bottom scentence.

During the process of evolution, third definite mollars stopped, at some time, being a sellection factor. That is, wether a certain specimen had fully operational definite third mollars or hadn't, didn't affect its capability to thrive and leave offspring. Nontheless, sometimes, some traits, although not directly relationed, are likely to be found toghether in people. Per example, it is more common to find attached ear lobes in lighter colour skinned people. Hence, some sellection trait was more unlikely to be found in the same specimen as fully functional third mollars, and so, this trait stopped being decisive and abundampt.

Sorry for my grammar.

Theological explanation: God made us have these anoying teeth so we would prove hardy enough to withstand the pain and smart enough to discover local anesthetics and teeth removal procedures. Some say God's favourite angel aspired to be a dentist, so he also made dentist appointments really expensive.

Hope this answer satisfies everyone.

Answer 3

Vestigal structures are structures that in the history of a species had an important role in survival but through evolution is no longer needed but still exists. Wisdom teeth used to be useful when they were needed to help chew and tear meat and grind at bone and other hard food. But now with tools and technology we dont need to do that. Another example is the tail bone on humans and whales still have the bones that would have been used for legs.

Answer 4

They are not needed (we have enough teeth without them) and there is no room for them. Almost everyone needs to get them removed. They are more of a pain (literally) than they are worth.