HEALTH

Could evolution eliminate wisdom teeth for good?

Oct 21, 2020, 11:22 AM

Humans may be on the verge of losing wisdom teeth through evolution. (Photo: Patryk Kosmider/Fotoli...

Humans may be on the verge of losing wisdom teeth through evolution. (Photo: Patryk Kosmider/Fotolia)

(Photo: Patryk Kosmider/Fotolia)

ADELAIDE, Australia — Humans may be on the verge of losing wisdom teeth through evolution. A new study from Australia is claiming that “microevolution” may be responsible.

Less and less wisdom teeth

The conversation is being sparked by a new study published in the Journal of Anatomy. It found that babies are increasingly being born without wisdom teeth.

The study also found other gradual changes, including that the median artery in the forearm, which typically disappears after birth, is sticking around more often.

Some scientists are saying both are a result of microevolution, which at its most basic level, is evolution on a small scale within a single population.

Why the change?

While the increasing disappearance of wisdom teeth may be welcome news to individuals looking to avoid the typical procedure necessary to extract them, it does beg the question of what is causing the sudden change. What attributes caused evolution to kick into high gear?

“As our faces are becoming a lot shorter, we don’t have as much room for our teeth,” explained Doctor Teghan Lucas, a professor at the College of Medicine and Public Health at Flinders University in Adelaide, Australia, who worked on the study. “This is happening over time because we’ve learned to use fire and learned how to process our foods a lot more.”

Simply put, it’s not as difficult to chew and digest food in 2020 as it was centuries ago.

“So, a lot of people are just born without their wisdom teeth,” she explains. “That’s another example of an anatomical variation that actually is increasing through time.”

Given the changes with wisdom teeth and the median artery are showing up far more often than typical human evolution would suggest, Lucas and her colleagues believe the human race may be evolving faster than it has at any point in the last 250 years.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

Today’s Top Stories

Health

A new release from Intermountain Healthcare shows that younger adults are becoming more susceptible...

Waverly Golden

Younger adults are becoming more susceptible to strokes

A new release from Intermountain Healthcare shows that younger adults are becoming more susceptible to stroke.

11 months ago

Melissa Coleman crouches next to her husband, , Brad Coleman, of North Ogden, who sits in a wheelch...

Jenny Carpenter, KSL.com

Young stroke victim survives with quick, lifesaving treatment in northern Utah

After a 36-year-old man had a stroke, he and his wife say to be aware of the signs of stroke and that young people are also at risk.

11 months ago

(Canva)...

Michelle Lee

How, and why, a hobby can bring joy to your life

If it brings you pleasure, is meaningful, and you can do it regularly, you've got yourself a hobby! Here's why they can benefit us so much.

11 months ago

A new release from Intermountain Healthcare shows that younger adults are becoming more susceptible...

Alexandrea Bonilla

Utah clinics winning the fight against overprescribed antibiotics

Intermountain Health and the University of Utah found that urgent-care facilities were more likely to prescribe antibiotics as a quick, easy solution.

11 months ago

Utah Food Bank...

Allessandra Harris

Utah Food Bank aims to ‘Stamp Out Hunger’ this summer

The Utah Food Bank is joining forces with the Letter Carriers Union to collect non-perishable food items for those in need.

11 months ago

...

LEANNE ITALIE AP Entertainment Writer

Mommy blogger Heather Armstrong, known as Dooce to fans, dead at 47

Armstrong had laid bare her struggles as a mother and her battles with depression and alcoholism on her site, Dooce.com, and on social media since 2001.

11 months ago

Sponsored Articles

close up of rose marvel saliva blooms in purple...

Shannon Cavalero

Drought Tolerant Perennials for Utah

The best drought tolerant plants for Utah can handle high elevations, alkaline soils, excessive exposure to wind, and use of secondary water.

Group of cheerful team members high fiving each other...

Visit Bear Lake

How To Plan a Business Retreat in Bear Lake This Spring

Are you wondering how to plan a business retreat this spring? Read our sample itinerary to plan a team getaway to Bear Lake.

Cheerful young woman writing an assignment while sitting at desk between two classmates during clas...

BYU EMBA at the Marriott School of Business

Hear it Firsthand: 6 Students Share Their Executive MBA Experience at BYU’s Marriott School of Business

The Executive MBA program at BYU offers great opportunities. Hear experiences straight from students enrolled in the program.

Skier being towed by a rider on a horse. Skijoring....

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Looking for a New Winter Activity? Try Skijoring in Bear Lake

Skijoring is when someone on skis is pulled by a horse, dog, animal, or motor vehicle. The driver leads the skiers through an obstacle course over jumps, hoops, and gates.

Banner with Cervical Cancer Awareness Realistic Ribbon...

Intermountain Health

Five Common Causes of Cervical Cancer – and What You Can Do to Lower Your Risk

January is National Cervical Cancer Awareness month and cancer experts at Intermountain Health are working to educate women about cervical cancer.

Kid holding a cisco fish at winterfest...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Get Ready for Fun at the 2023 Bear Lake Monster Winterfest

The Bear Lake Monster Winterfest is an annual weekend event jam-packed full of fun activities the whole family can enjoy.

Could evolution eliminate wisdom teeth for good?