Wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, are the last teeth to come in. They usually appear when someone is in their late teens or early twenties. But, why are they called wisdom teeth? The name “wisdom teeth” comes from the belief that these teeth are associated with maturity and experience. As children reach this age, they are beginning to gain new experiences that are associated with being wiser than they were as younger children. However, is this truly the case? Let’s take a look at the development of the human psychology and if the entrance of wisdom teeth really does signify that someone is becoming wiser.
Erikson’s Eight Stages of Development
To break down the “wisdom” of wisdom teeth, we can take a look at Erikson’s Eight Stages of Development. Erik Erikson was a psychologist who developed this theory in the 1950s. In his theory, he states that there are eight different stages that humans go through as they age. These stages discuss the developmental challenges that people will face to explain how they mature. In order of appearance, the stages are as follows:
- Stage One: Trust vs. Mistrust (Infancy)
- Stage Two: Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt (Toddlerhood)
- Stage Three: Initiative vs. Guilt (Preschool)
- Stage Four: Industry vs. Inferiority (Early School)
- Stage Five: Identity vs. Role Confusion (Adolescence)
- Stage Six: Intimacy vs. Isolation (Young Adulthood)
- Stage Seven: Generativity vs. Stagnation (Middle Adulthood)
- Stage Eight: Ego Integrity vs. Despair (Late Adulthood)
The Erikson Stages Wisdom Teeth Appear
Stage Five: Identity vs Role Confusion
Wisdom teeth generally make their appearance during two stages. Firstly, stage five: identity vs. role confusion. This is the stage where teenagers are exploring their own identities and trying to find out who they are. They are also beginning to form their own opinions and beliefs. This is a time of self-discovery and growth. It is also a time when teenagers may rebel against authority figures, such as parents and teachers. This is because they are trying to establish their own independence. Erikson defines Identity vs Role Confusion as the following:
- Identity: In order to be successful during this time in their lives, adolescents need to have a sense of self. They will need to determine what is most important to them (family values, academic success, etc.) and set future goals for themselves accordingly.
- Role confusion: Some teenagers may lack confidence in themselves. They may have difficulty growing apart from the person that their parents or friends want them to be. Without a reliable sense of self, they might not know what they want for their future.
Stage Six: Intimacy vs. Isolation
The second stage that wisdom teeth can appear is stage six: intimacy vs. isolation. This is the stage where young adults are beginning to form close relationships with others. They may start dating, get married, or have children. This is a time when people are looking for someone to share their life with. Erikson defines Intimacy vs Isolation as the following:
- Intimacy: In order to be successful during this time in their lives, young adults need to develop close, intimate relationships with others. They need to be able to trust and be trusting of others.
- Isolation: Some young adults may have difficulty forming close relationships with others. They may feel alone and isolated. Without close relationships, they may feel like they have no one to turn to.
What Erikson Stages Have Not Been Reached Yet?
Stage Seven: Generativity vs. Stagnation
Despite reaching most Erikson stages there are still a few that have not been reached yet. Firstly, stage seven: generativity vs. stagnation. This is the stage where middle-aged adults are starting to think about the legacy they will leave behind. Erikson defines Generativity vs Stagnation as the following:
- Generativity: In order to be successful during this time in their lives, middle-aged adults need to feel like they are making a contribution to the world. They need to feel like they are doing something that will make a difference.
- Stagnation: Some middle-aged adults may feel like they have not accomplished anything significant with their lives. They may feel like they are just going through the motions and not really making a difference.
Stage Eight: Ego Integrity vs. Despair
The final stage that has not been reached yet is stage eight: ego integrity vs. despair. This is the stage where older adults are beginning to come to terms with their own mortality. They may be reflecting on their lives and what they have accomplished. This is a time when people are beginning to reflect on the life they lived. Erikson defines Ego Integrity vs Despair as the following:
- Ego integrity: In order to be successful during this time in their lives, older adults need to feel like they have lived a good life. They need to be able to look back on their life with a sense of pride and accomplishment.
- Despair: Some older adults may feel like they have not accomplished anything significant with their lives. They may feel like they have not made a difference. They may be regretful of the choices they have made.
Does Wisdom Teeth Actually Signify That Someone is Getting Wiser?
Now that we’ve looked at the stages of development that wisdom teeth can appear, we can answer the question: does this signify that someone is wiser? Well, yes and no.
On one hand, wisdom teeth can be a sign that someone is maturing. They are going through the process of growing up and becoming an adult. They are exploring their identity and forming close relationships with others.
On the other hand, wisdom teeth can also be a sign that someone is not as wise as they could be. They may be making impulsive decisions or not thinking about the long-term consequences of their actions. They have not yet begun to think about the legacy they will leave behind or how they will leave a lasting impact on the world.
So, while wisdom teeth can be a sign of maturity, they can also be a sign that someone is still growing and has a lot more to learn. At the end of the day, life is a journey and we are all constantly growing and evolving, no matter how many teeth we have.
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No two mouths are the same, and each oral situation is unique. As such, it isn’t possible to give comprehensive advice or diagnose oral conditions based on articles alone. The best way to ensure you’re getting the best dental care possible is to visit a dentist in person for an examination and consultation.
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This was a very interesting and informative read. I appreciated the insights from Erik Ericksons 8 stages of development.