Where do wisdom teeth grow?

Where wisdom teeth are

Cleveland Clinic says wisdom teeth, also called third molars, sit at the very back of the mouth, just behind the second molars. There is one in each quadrant: upper left, lower left, upper right and lower right. Healthline describes them as the third set of molars at the back of the mouth.

Because they are the last teeth to arrive, there is often not enough room for them, which is why they can come in at an angle, partly through the gum, or not at all.

How many wisdom teeth do you have?

People have up to four. Cleveland Clinic says not everyone gets all four to emerge and that about 8 in 10 people have at least one that does not come in, and that having zero, some or all four is considered normal. Healthline says many people have one to four and some have none, and cites estimates that 5 to 37 percent of people are missing one or more third molars, with genetics possibly playing a role. The sources do not agree on how common it is, so treat the numbers as rough.

When wisdom teeth come in

They usually emerge between about ages 17 and 25, which is later than the other permanent teeth. A full set of four would bring an adult's total to 32 teeth, according to Healthline, which can crowd a mouth with room for about 28. Your dentist can see where they are on a panoramic X-ray before they break through.

Why wisdom teeth get stuck

Cleveland Clinic says wisdom teeth become impacted when the jaw lacks space or the tooth erupts at the wrong angle, and cites an estimate that 90 percent of people have at least one impacted tooth. Types include mesial (angled forward, the most common), distal (angled backward), vertical (upright but trapped) and horizontal (lying on its side, which often causes pain). Impaction may be soft tissue, where the tooth has broken through bone but not gum, or hard tissue, where it is still covered by both.

Why we have them

Cleveland Clinic says wisdom teeth can support the back of the mouth and help preserve jaw bone if they come in properly, but that most providers consider them vestigial, useful to ancestors who ate tougher, raw foods but largely unnecessary today. Healthline says they may have served as replacement teeth for ancestors who lost teeth more often and that they often cause more harm than good.

Quick answers about the days after removal

Our supporting questions often relate to recovery rather than location. Where our sources address them, the answers are below, and each should be read with your surgeon's instructions in mind.

Several common questions, including showering, wearing a retainer, swallowing and speaking after removal, were not answered by the sources we read, so we have not guessed. Ask your surgeon about those.

• Rice: Healthline lists rice among small foods that can lodge in the socket, so avoid it at first.
• Ice cream: soft, cold foods such as ice cream are commonly allowed and can feel soothing. Eat it with a spoon, not a straw.
• Fizzy drinks: Cleveland Clinic advises avoiding alcohol and carbonated drinks for at least five days.
• Straws: avoid them, because suction can disturb the blood clot and lead to dry socket.

Do they need to come out?

Not always. Cleveland Clinic says removal is usually recommended when teeth cause pain, infection or damage, and is often unnecessary if they cause no problems. Healthline suggests routine checkups about every six months so the dentist can monitor wisdom teeth before symptoms start.

Frequently asked questions