Short answer: Wisdom teeth (third molars) come in between ages 17 and 25 for most people, although in some they erupt later or never form at all. As they come in, swelling and tenderness in the gum at the back, difficulty opening the mouth and an ache that spreads to the ear may occur. The position of the tooth and whether it will be monitored are determined by the dentist through an exam and a panoramic X-ray.
The short answer to when wisdom teeth come in is this: third molars,, known in Turkish everyday speech as "20-year teeth," begin to appear in the mouth between ages 17 and 25 for most people. However, this range is not a fixed schedule. In some teenagers the tooth starts pushing at the gum at age 16, in some adults it is noticed in their thirties, and in some people it never forms at all. Before getting into the details of this question, which is so often searched online, let us note that the process is different for everyone. In this article, we explain when wisdom teeth come in, the symptoms seen as they erupt, impacted wisdom teeth and which signs call for seeing a dentist.
When do wisdom teeth come in?
Wisdom teeth generally erupt in late adolescence and early adulthood, at around ages 17-25. Most of the other permanent teeth in the mouth have taken their place by age 12-13; the second molars come in at these ages too. The crown of the third molars, however, matures later inside the jawbone, and the tooth moves upward as its roots begin to develop.
The eruption is not an event that happens all at once. The tooth may advance slowly over months or even several years; during this time there may be periods of tenderness that then pass. For this reason, the thought "it has been aching for a week, so it must be coming in now" is not always right. In most cases, what stage the tooth is at can be understood only through an exam and a panoramic X-ray.
At what age do they come in, and why don't they come in for everyone?
The answer to at what age wisdom teeth come in varies from person to person, because genetic makeup, jaw size and the space in the dental arch together determine the timing of eruption. Although the average age is around 18-20, this is only an average.
There are several reasons why they don't come in for everyone:
- The tooth bud never forming: In some people, one or more wisdom teeth are absent from birth. In studies, this is seen in a significant part of the population and is not considered a health problem.
- Lack of space: In people today, the jawbones are on average smaller. If there is not enough room behind the second molar, the tooth tries to erupt but cannot come fully into the mouth.
- Angulation problems: The tooth may develop in a horizontal, forward-tilted or backward-tilted position. Such a tooth presses against the neighboring tooth and is not expected to correct itself.
- Bone or gum obstruction: Even if the tooth moves in the right direction, thick gum or bone tissue over it may slow its eruption.
A wisdom tooth never showing up does not necessarily mean there is a problem. However, whether the tooth exists and where it is positioned becomes clear only on an X-ray. For more general information on this subject, you can also take a look at our article on impacted teeth and their symptoms.
What symptoms occur as wisdom teeth come in?
The symptoms of a wisdom tooth coming in usually show up as tenderness starting at the very back of the mouth, in the lower or upper jaw. Some people hardly notice the process, while others experience marked discomfort. Common signs are as follows:
- Redness, swelling and tenderness to the touch in the gum behind the back teeth
- A feeling of pressure in that area when chewing, or biting the inside of the cheek
- Difficulty opening the mouth fully, tightness in the jaw or muscle stiffness
- A bad taste in the mouth or bad breath that does not go away
- A small white bump on the gum or the tip of the tooth showing
- An ache that spreads toward the ear, temple or neck
Pain radiating to the ear is described especially often with the lower wisdom teeth, because the jaw and ear area share common nerve pathways. This topic is covered separately in our article titled can a toothache spread to the ear.
Some of the symptoms come from food and bacteria collecting under the flap of gum over a partially erupted tooth. This picture is called pericoronitis and sometimes follows a course of recurring episodes. It is one of the situations that should not be brushed off with "the tooth is just coming in."
Partially impacted and fully impacted wisdom teeth
A wisdom tooth is described in three ways depending on its position in the mouth: fully erupted, partially impacted and fully impacted. A fully erupted tooth is the usual state of a tooth that contacts the tooth opposite it and can be brushed. A partially impacted tooth has part of it visible in the mouth, with the rest remaining under the gum or bone. A fully impacted tooth is not visible in the mouth at all.
So what happens if a wisdom tooth doesn't come in? For a fully impacted tooth that causes no symptoms, simply monitoring it with regular check-ups is considered sufficient in some cases. On the other hand, because partially impacted teeth create areas that are hard to clean, they can lay the groundwork for gum inflammation, a cavity in the neighboring tooth or, rarely, cyst formation. Which approach is suitable is determined by a dental exam, based on the angle of the tooth, how close the roots are to the nerve and the person's complaints.
Whether extraction is needed is a matter of separate evaluation. You can find the criteria on which this decision is made in detail in our article on when and why wisdom tooth extraction is needed; for those curious about healing after extraction, our article on wisdom tooth extraction and the healing process has been prepared.
Another frequently asked question is whether wisdom teeth push the front teeth. We summarized current views on this in our article on whether wisdom teeth cause crooked teeth. For people planning orthodontic treatment, the condition of the wisdom teeth is evaluated separately on the X-ray at the start of treatment.
What should you do about pain and swelling as they come in?
During periods of mild tenderness, the aim is to keep the area clean and reduce irritation. The suggestions below are general information and do not replace an exam:
- Clean the area gently: Reach all the way to the back teeth with a soft-bristled brush. Stopping brushing increases buildup and can prolong the complaint.
- Rinse with warm salt water: Rinsing the mouth with warm water after meals can help clear out debris under the gum flap.
- Cold application from the outside: A cold compress wrapped in a cloth can be applied to the cheek in short intervals. Do not put ice directly on the skin.
- Take a break from hard and sticky foods: Foods such as seeds, nuts in the shell and bread with a hard crust can irritate the tender gum further.
- Ask about pain relievers: Consult your dentist or pharmacist before using a pain reliever or any other medication. Do not start anything on your own, especially antibiotics.
These steps can ease the complaint temporarily; however, if the underlying cause is the position of the tooth, the problem may recur. Pain that does not improve within a few days or that comes back at frequent intervals is a sign that calls for evaluation.
When should you see a dentist?
You need to see a dentist if the complaints in the wisdom tooth area do not go away within a few days or if any of the following situations is present:
- Swelling spreading toward the face, cheek or neck
- Fever, fatigue or tender lumps you can feel in the neck
- Marked difficulty opening the mouth, trouble swallowing
- Pus coming from under the gum flap or an intense bad taste
- Pain that wakes you from sleep or worsens at night
- Sensitivity or suspicion of a cavity in the neighboring molar
If difficulty swallowing or breathing, rapidly growing swelling and high fever are seen together, emergency medical care should be sought without waiting. Even in milder cases, if the symptoms recur, making an appointment helps keep the process under control.
Regular check-ups matter even without symptoms. A panoramic X-ray taken especially between ages 16 and 20 helps show the presence, angle and likelihood of eruption of the wisdom teeth at an early stage. Early evaluation allows a procedure that may be needed later to be carried out in a more planned way. Those curious about the eruption schedule of the other molars can also see the article on when molars come in.
A wisdom tooth evaluation in Ankara
If you notice recurring aches in your back teeth, swelling in your gum or difficulty opening your mouth, the position of your wisdom teeth can be evaluated through an exam and the necessary imaging at our polyclinic at Park Oran Ofis in Oran, Çankaya. Whether the tooth needs to be monitored or a procedure needs to be planned is discussed with you based on the exam findings. You can reach us through our contact page to make an appointment.
Frequently asked questions
Can wisdom teeth come in after age 30?
Yes, although less often, wisdom teeth can keep erupting in the thirties or give symptoms for the first time. Partially impacted teeth in particular can stay quiet for years and be noticed later in life through gum inflammation. The condition of the tooth is evaluated with an X-ray.
Is it normal for wisdom teeth never to come in?
In some people, some or all of the wisdom teeth are absent from birth, and this is not considered a health problem. In others the tooth exists but remains impacted in the bone. Which applies is understood with a panoramic X-ray.
How long does the pain last as a wisdom tooth comes in?
Mild tenderness usually eases within a few days and may recur from time to time. For pain that lasts more than a few days, worsens at night or comes with swelling, you need to see a dentist.
Can pain relievers be used while a wisdom tooth is coming in?
You need to consult your dentist or pharmacist before using a pain reliever or any other medication. Using antibiotics without a prescription and on your own is especially not recommended.
Must an impacted wisdom tooth always be extracted?
No, some impacted teeth that cause no symptoms and do not harm the neighboring teeth can simply be monitored with regular check-ups. The decision for extraction is made through a dental exam, based on the angle of the tooth, its closeness to the nerve and the complaints.
