When do wisdom teeth come in?

What age do wisdom teeth come in?

Cleveland Clinic says wisdom teeth, the third molars, usually emerge between about ages 17 and 25, later than the other permanent teeth. Its eruption chart says one to four wisdom teeth emerge between 17 and 21 years, bringing the total to 32 permanent teeth. Healthline says they usually emerge in the late teens or 20s. So the sources overlap on the late teens and early twenties, with some variation in the upper end.

How long does a wisdom tooth take to come in?

The sources we read give no set number of months or years. Eruption can be quick, slow or stop partway: Cleveland Clinic says impacted wisdom teeth are partly or fully trapped in the gums or jawbone, usually because the jaw lacks space or the tooth erupts at the wrong angle. Healthline says gum swelling typically appears behind the second molars as a tooth comes through, and that pain may come in short episodes. A dentist can use a panoramic X-ray to see how far the tooth has developed and whether it is close to breaking through.

Signs wisdom teeth are coming in

Healthline lists swollen gums at the back of the mouth, jaw pain or stiffness, tender or bleeding gums, difficulty opening the mouth wide, a bad taste or bad breath, and a low-grade fever when a tooth is breaking through, with a small flap of gum over the emerging tooth. It says the pain is usually mild with an occasional sharp stab, and that chewing near the emerging tooth can be uncomfortable. Our guide on what wisdom tooth pain feels like covers symptoms in detail.

How many wisdom teeth will I get?

Up to four, one in each back corner, according to Cleveland Clinic, which says about 8 in 10 people have at least one that does not come in. Healthline cites estimates that 5 to 37 percent of people are missing one or more third molars, with genetics possibly playing a role. Having none, some or all four is considered normal. See our guide on where wisdom teeth grow.

Why some wisdom teeth get stuck

Cleveland Clinic says impacted teeth happen when the jaw lacks space or the tooth erupts at the wrong angle, and cites the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons estimate that 90 percent of people have at least one impacted tooth. Types include mesial (angled forward, the most common), distal, vertical and horizontal, and impaction can be soft tissue or hard tissue. Healthline says partial eruption can leave a flap of gum that traps food and bacteria and causes infection.

Do wisdom teeth always cause problems?

No. Healthline says healthy, correctly positioned wisdom teeth usually cause no pain, and that pain typically comes from how they erupt or from problems after removal. Cleveland Clinic says if they cause no problems removal is often unnecessary. Dentists monitor them with checkups and X-rays, and our guide on whether healthy wisdom teeth should be removed explains the evidence.

What to do while they are coming in

Keep the area clean with careful brushing and warm salt water rinses if your dentist advises, avoid poking the gum, and see a dentist if pain, swelling or a bad taste develops. Healthline's wisdom tooth jaw pain page suggests an ice pack on the cheek for 15 to 20 minutes at a time and over-the-counter pain relief used as directed, which are temporary measures only.

Questions to ask your dentist

A checkup in your late teens or twenties is a good time to ask about your wisdom teeth.

• Where are my wisdom teeth, and do they have room to come in?
• Are any impacted, and could they cause problems later?
• How often should I be checked, and do I need X-rays?
• What symptoms should make me call you?
• Should any be removed now, or can we monitor them?

Frequently asked questions