The final set of molars in the back of the mouth is wisdom teeth, sometimes known as third molars. These teeth often appear between the ages of 17 and 21, in the late stages of adolescence or early adulthood.

• These teeth were essential in the past since most of the food consumed by humans at the time was coarse and difficult to chew.
• The human jaw gradually shrunk due to the invention of cooking and improvements in food processing, making it difficult for wisdom teeth to erupt correctly.
• In the modern oral cavity, wisdom teeth are not very useful.
• Due to evolutionary changes, most humans no longer use these teeth for chewing or feeding, and many healthcare providers see them as vestigial.

Several apparent signs and symptoms can be caused by wisdom teeth eruption, including:

• Pain at the back of the mouth
• Difficulty in fully opening the mouth
• Jaw pain or stiffness
• Ear or head pain
• Facial pain
• Bad breath

While many people opt to have their wisdom teeth removed because of the possible risks, keeping them if they are healthy and properly positioned may have some advantages as well:

• It helps with chewing
• Maintains bone density
• Supports adjacent teeth
• Replaces natural teeth
• Genetic significance