Why Do They Call Them Wisdom Teeth?
The wisdom teeth are the two last molar teeth to grow. They come one on each side of the jaw and arrive somewhere between the ages of twenty and twenty-five years. The name is given them because it is supposed that when a person has developed physically and mentally to the point where he has secured these last two teeth he has also arrived at the age of discretion. It does not necessarily mean that one who has cut his wisdom teeth is wise, but that having lived long enough to grow these, which complete the full set of teeth, the person has passed sufficient actual years that, if he has done what he should to fit himself for life, he should have come by that time at the age of discretion or wisdom. As a matter of fact these teeth grow at about the same age in people whether they are wise or not.