Why do we hyphenate between numbers? Example: twenty-six

To avoid ambiguity.

He turned twenty one too many times.

Is not the same as

He turned twenty-one too many times.


This is rather similar to TsSkTo's answer, but why not see another usage?

Can I have twenty-five times?

This asks for the multiple 25 times (some unspecified amount or object) or perhaps it asks for twenty-five records of time.

Can I have twenty five times?

This asks for 100.

The hyphen prevents the former number from becoming an adjective describing the latter one.

EDIT: Changed the word cents to times to better match common usage.