Why do we have wisdom teeth?

Wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, are vestigial teeth that were once necessary for early humans to chew plant material and raw food. As humans evolved and diets changed, these teeth became less necessary for grinding food, and many people now have them removed due to lack of space in the jaw. Wisdom teeth typically emerge between the ages of 17 and 25 and can cause discomfort if they do not fully erupt or if there isn’t enough room in the mouth for them.