Many assume that teething, or new teeth coming in, stop when you hit your teenage years. But when you hit your late teens, you will suddenly find a white structure peeking out of the gums on the very back of your mouth just past your second molars. These are the last teeth to come out in the mouth known as your wisdom teeth or third molars.
If the wisdom teeth emerge to be fully functional and aligned with the rest of your teeth, they can help you chew and bite.
However, the wisdom teeth can become problematic when they do not have enough space in the mouth. This is why routine check-ups are important so that your dentist can track the position of your wisdom tooth when it is ready to come out. This will prevent future problems such as decay and infection.
Carry on reading to learn more about the wisdom teeth, when you should expect them to come out, and other important information in between.
What are Wisdom Teeth?
Because they come out at a later age when you are more mature and have more “wisdom”, the third molars are also otherwise known as the wisdom teeth. They are your last molar teeth and should be found at the far back of the mouth. With four wisdom teeth on each corner of the mouth, this completes the 32 teeth that make up the adult dentition.
But why the need to have all that teeth with 12 molars?
In the very early days, think caveman times, our ancestors’ diet is mainly raw meat that can be quite rough to chew. So, they need the extra power of 4 sets of 3 molars on all mouth corners to grind their food. And because the jaws then were wide enough, all teeth can grow in with no problem.
These days, we cook, cut, slice, and even mash most of our food, making them easier to chew. This ultimately caused the natural evolution of our jaw to become narrower. With that, the last teeth to emerge, which are the wisdom teeth, usually are left with little to no space in the mouth. And, eventually, the need for these extra teeth became virtually non-existent.
Although the wisdom teeth were beneficial to our ancestors, nowadays, they can pose a serious risk to the oral health especially if they do not erupt in their proper position.
Development of Wisdom Teeth
All teeth start with tooth buds that are formed within the jawbone. Over time, the buds will grow out to form the tooth structure. First, the crown is formed, then the root will elongate the tooth and push it out into the mouth.
The first permanent teeth to come out, which are the first molars, start bud formation at birth. Then, they will peek out of the gums and into the mouth at age 6. Meanwhile, the bud of the wisdom teeth do not form until around 7 – 9 years old. Then, they should start emerging in the mouth at age 17 – 25.
But, not everyone gets their wisdom teeth. Some may have one or two missing, while others don’t have any at all. This is fairly common with about a third of the population lacking at least one wisdom tooth.
Other wisdom teeth do not break out of the gums. They stay partially or fully submerged into the gum and bone. This is called an impacted wisdom tooth and commonly occurs because of the lack of space.
Signs and Symptoms of Wisdom Teeth Growth
Around the age of 17, you should be able to experience some signs that your wisdom teeth are coming in. Some usual signs and symptoms are:
- Mild pain or discomfort at the back of the mouth
- Tenderness and swelling of the gums
- Occasional headaches and earaches
- Difficulty in opening the mouth or chewing
However, not all wisdom teeth will come with these symptoms.
If you are at the age where the wisdom teeth should be emerging, schedule a visit with your dentist for a routine check-up. A comprehensive mouth assessment and X-ray will be done to determine the presence or absence of the wisdom teeth and the exact position and shape of your wisdom tooth if there is any.
Potential Issues with Wisdom Teeth Growth
If you are dealing with a problematic wisdom tooth, some dental issues you may encounter along the way are:
- Severe pain and discomfort
- Tooth decay
- Gum disease
- Damage to adjacent teeth
- Infections
- Facial swelling
- Dental cysts and tumours
- Teeth crowding and misalignment
- Bite problems
This does not only occur with an impacted wisdom tooth. Generally, the third molars can become a problem when it causes build-up of bacteria and food debris. Because they are too far back in the mouth, they can be difficult to reach and clean. So, food can get trapped leading to plaque, cavities, gum disease, and even infections.
Managing Wisdom Teeth Growth
Because of the potential issues associated with the wisdom teeth, our team at Sierra Dental in Signal Hill always emphasizes the importance of prevention. The earlier we can assess the growth and development of your wisdom teeth, the earlier we can provide proper management and treatment to prevent future complications.
Here are some preventive tips we can do to help:
- Regular check-ups – Routine mouth examination can help determine if the signs of a problematic wisdom tooth are already present. Then, we can create a proper treatment plan to address these.
- X-rays and scans – These are important tools that determine the growth and position of the wisdom tooth, even if hidden under the bone.
- Early intervention – If found to be an issue, early removal of the wisdom tooth may be recommended to avoid more extensive treatments down the road.
Conclusion
Now that we have answered the question “What Age Do Wisdom Teeth Start Growing?”, the next step is to check and monitor yours. If of age, schedule a visit with our team today so we help determine if further steps are necessary. This may include simple routine monitoring or early removal as a proactive management to prevent dental issues due to your wisdom tooth.
If you are worried about your wisdom tooth coming in, call our office today to book your consultation so we can help you learn more about it!