What Age Do Wisdom Teeth Come In?

Wisdom teeth are the third molars that grow in the back of the mouth. They typically grow in at an awkward angle, leading to impacted teeth and the need for extraction.

Because wisdom teeth can cause overcrowding in the mouth as well as pain and other dental issues, many dentists recommend wisdom tooth extraction before the teeth begin to erupt.

If you're thinking about having your child's wisdom teeth removed, the team members at LANCO Dental Care in Lancaster, PA are experts in this area.

Keep reading to learn what age you should start considering what to do about your child's wisdom teeth.

How do you know if wisdom teeth are coming in?

Signs that wisdom teeth are coming in include:

• Gum irritation and swelling behind the second molars

• Redness on top of the area above the wisdom teeth

• Pain or a dull aching near the back of the jaw that may become more sharp and serious as time goes on

• Pain around the jaw, ears, and eyes due to the pressure that wisdom teeth can put on nerves in the face

• White bumps around the second molars may indicate that part of the wisdom tooth is breaking through

Not all wisdom teeth cause problems. However, once they do, they typically need to be removed, so they do not cause pain, push teeth out of alignment, or get infected.

What age do wisdom teeth come in?

A child's wisdom teeth start growing under their gums between the ages of 7 and 10. However, they do not erupt through the gums right away. In fact, this can take years as the tooth calcifies and its roots develop.

It's not until the late teenage years or early 20s that wisdom teeth start to erupt through the gums (or "come in"). It's at this time that many people choose to get their wisdom teeth removed as a preventive measure.

In rare cases, a tooth may erupt normally and not cause overcrowding. In this case, patients have a choice about whether or not to remove wisdom teeth.

Consulting a dentist about wisdom tooth extraction

The dentists at LANCO Dental Care can monitor the development of your child's wisdom teeth at their annual appointments and recommend a good time to remove the teeth. It's generally recommended to have them removed even when they come in straight because they can still get easily infected.

While you're still accompanying your child to dental appointments, you can ask for advice on the status of their wisdom teeth and long-term plans for dental care. Even if the teeth are not ready to be extracted before they're 18 years old, getting advice about different scenarios can set your child up to make an educated decision about their dental care in the future.

Your child's annual appointments are also an excellent time to instill the importance of keeping up with dental health and continuing to get their teeth checked when you’re not there.

Get treatment for wisdom teeth in Lancaster, PA

If your child is having trouble with wisdom teeth or you're thinking of having the wisdom teeth removed preventively, the team at LANCO Dental Care can help advise you.

The first step is to make an appointment for your child at our office in Lancaster, PA.