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Dear Willy:
Congratulations! You're experiencing yet another facet of puberty. You know - that time Let's start
way back when, okay Willie? When you were born, deep inside your jawbone were little tooth "buds"
which would ultimately become teeth. Some time between 6 months old and several years old, your 20
baby or "milk" teeth appeared. Later, about the age of 6 or 7, with your permanent teeth below the
surface, the base of your baby teeth began to dissolve and, one by one, they were gently pushed out
of your gums. The result? Many visits from the tooth fairy - and a new set of teeth!
But adult teeth don't come in all at once. Most appear shortly after your baby teeth fall out.
But there are eight more teeth yet to come. The first set of four molars will generally appear when
you are 11 to 14 years old. The final set of four molars can appear anywhere between ages 18 and
40! These are your wisdom teeth and they're called "wisdom" teeth because they arrive when you're
old enough to be wise!
You may or not be wise when they arrive, but sometimes you may be sad - because they're
impacted and require a visit to the dentist.
If you don't get your wisdom teeth, keep in mind that some people never get them. Some adults
live their lives very happily with only 28 instead of 32 pearly whites. And you know what? It
doesn't affect them one bit!?! These wisdom tooth-less people can rip, grind and chew with the best
of them!
I'm sorry, Willie, wisdom doesn't come from teeth!
Signed,
Wendell
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