No, we are not always born with wisdom teeth.
While the tooth buds for wisdom teeth, like all permanent teeth, are present at birth, the actual teeth are not fully formed or erupted. A significant portion of the population is born without them altogether.
Wisdom Teeth Development
Wisdom teeth, or third molars, are the last teeth to develop and erupt.
Prevalence
- According to the provided reference, approximately a third of people are born without any wisdom teeth. This means that they lack the tooth buds from which these teeth would develop.
Eruption
- Even if someone is born with wisdom teeth, they may never emerge (erupt) from the gums.
Factors Affecting Presence of Wisdom Teeth
Several factors can influence whether or not a person develops wisdom teeth.
- Genetics: Heredity plays a significant role in determining the presence or absence of wisdom teeth.
- Evolutionary Changes: Some researchers believe that, over time, human jaws have become smaller, making wisdom teeth less necessary and leading to a higher prevalence of people born without them.
Summary
Here's a quick summary in table format:
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Absence at Birth | Approximately one-third of people are born without wisdom teeth. |
| Tooth Bud Presence | Some individuals possess tooth buds for wisdom teeth but they never erupt. |
| Genetic Influence | Genetics plays a role in the presence or absence of wisdom teeth. |
| Evolutionary Factors | Jaw size reduction over generations impacts teeth eruption. |
