Not-So-Smart Teeth

MY WISDOM TEETH:

Wisdom teeth are third molars that usually appear between the ages of 17 and 24 (although they may appear when older, younger, or may not appear at all). They are commonly removed when they affect other teeth (become impacted), colloquially known as “coming in sideways.”

Wisdom teeth are often described as an example of a “vestigial” trait. Some argue that recent changes to softer diets which cause less wear on the teeth may be causing the third molars to be less useful, and, in fact, problematic in many humans. Alternately, it is possible that wisdom teeth were useful when it was common for humans to lose several teeth to decay by the age when they appear. They are generally thought to be called wisdom teeth because they appear so late, at an age where people are supposedly wiser than as a child when the other teeth erupt. Wide mind, not wise teeth.

Unfortunately, I have to have mine removed during my Spring Break. Yep. Another holiday sacrificed to surgery. Make sure to keep me in mind as I go under the knife 03/16/10 at 11:00am!