Why Are Human Teeth So Messed Up

If you think about it, human teeth are an anomaly, especially when you compare our teeth to those of other omnivore mammals. For example, what other species deal with impacted wisdom teeth? Why do other animals have perfectly aligned teeth , yet many humans do not? Why are human teeth so messed up? Interestingly enough, messed up teeth are primarily caused by evolutionary development.

Evidence tells us that our distant hominid ancestors had a much larger jaw than modern-day humans. They also had approximately the same number of teeth, meaning that our modern human jaws are simply too small to contain all dentition.

The biggest reason for impacted wisdom teeth is that there is just nowhere for them to grow. Additionally, human teeth typically take up the whole jaw space, unlike other animals. As a result, there is no room for new teeth, such as wisdom teeth, to grow.

Over time, humans have developed the ability to use our hands and to craft tools to deal with food we cannot tear apart with our teeth. As a result, we no longer rely on them for survival as much as other animals. Consequently, further evolutionary development was not needed. As the shape of our faces and jaws changed, our teeth remained the same.

Nature only requires human teeth to last about 30 years, giving people enough time to reproduce and to raise children from a biological standpoint. As a result, most people notice that their oral health significantly declines after 30.

Even if you managed to escape the need for orthodontics as a teen, you might find that you suddenly have an increase in cavities, chipped teeth, and jaw pain. Additionally, since good teeth are no longer a crucial evolutionary feature, genetic errors, like having crooked teeth, are not selected against.

If you are worried about developing messed up teeth or have concerns about crooked teeth, visiting our dentist in Lake Jackson, Texas is the best solution. Here at All Smiles Dentistry , we are happy to help all of our patients achieve the smile of their dreams.

We do so through compassionate, patient-first care, focusing on how we can best meet your needs. Our skilled dental team can offer many services to help your teeth, including orthodontics, restorative treatment, and cosmetic care. Give us a call or visit us online to find out more or to book your appointment.

Featured Image By: Getty Images / Eva-Foreman

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