This article is intended for information purposes only and does not constitute or replace advice from a medical professional.
You may have wondered how wisdom teeth get their name – they're called this because they appear a bit later in life, but unfortunately, they don’t make you any wiser! Read on to find out the answers to popular questions including ‘what age can wisdom teeth come in?’ and ‘how do I know if I have a wisdom tooth?’
What is a wisdom tooth?
Wisdom teeth are the last molars on each side of the jaws. People usually have 4 wisdom teeth – 2 at the top and 2 at the bottom. However, some people may have more and others never get any wisdom teeth breaking through. Some people never have any problems with their wisdom teeth, while others will need them removed due to lack of space in their mouth or if the teeth aren’t able to fully break through.
What age can wisdom teeth come in?
According to the NHS, wisdom teeth are the last teeth to emerge, or erupt, and usually come through between the ages of 18 and 24.
Since wisdom teeth are the last permanent teeth to come through, there’s often not enough room left in your mouth to accommodate them. This can lead to impacted wisdom teeth - teeth that are trapped beneath the gum tissue by other teeth or bone. If teeth are impacted, swelling and tenderness may occur. If you notice your wisdom tooth smells, you may have an infection and should make an appointment with your dentist.
Wisdom teeth that only partially emerge or come through crooked may also lead to painful crowding and disease. Teeth removed before age 20 have less developed roots and fewer complications, consult your dentist to have your wisdom teeth evaluated to see if they need to be removed.
How do I know if I have a wisdom tooth?
Your dentist will be able to tell you if your wisdom teeth are coming in – they can also do x-rays to see if they’re about to emerge. Without visiting the dentist, there are other telltale signs that your wisdom teeth are coming through:
- Gum pain at the back of your mouth
- Jaw pain
- Bleeding or tender gums
- Difficulty opening your mouth
- A bad taste in your mouth
- Bad breath that won’t go away (also known as wisdom teeth halitosis)
Wisdom teeth pain is usually bearable, but you may notice it when you’re chewing at the back of your mouth. If the teeth are actually breaking through the gum you might experience mild fever-like symptoms or notice a flap of gum in the area where the tooth is coming through.
An infection caused by an impacted tooth can cause wisdom tooth smells that are unpleasant. Visit your dentist as you may need a course of antibiotics to clear the infection before the tooth can be taken out.
Signs of a wisdom tooth problem
Experiencing mild pain or an aching jaw when your wisdom teeth come in is normal, but there are some signs of a problem developing. If you have these wisdom tooth symptoms, make an appointment with your dentist to get them checked:
- Loose or moving teeth
- Tooth pain
- Gum or cheek swelling
- Wisdom tooth smells
- Sensitive teeth
- Gum recession
- Mouth sores
- Dry mouth
- Cracked or broken teeth
- Damage to fillings, crowns or bridges
How are wisdom teeth removed?
A wisdom tooth extraction is a relatively routine procedure. Your dentist will recommend either "going to sleep" using sedation or general anaesthetic, or numbing the area in your mouth with local anaesthetic. After the tooth is removed, you may be asked to bite down softly on a piece of gauze for a certain period of time, to limit any bleeding that may occur. Some pain and swelling is common and will normally go away after a few days; however, you should call your dentist if you have prolonged or severe pain, swelling, bleeding or a fever.
Removing wisdom teeth due to crowding or impaction is necessary and will benefit your oral health in the long run. If you’re having problems with your wisdom teeth, don’t hesitate to speak to your dentist.
