Wisdom teeth usually come in between ages 17 and 21, according to the American Dental Association. Cleveland Clinic gives a wider window of 17 to 25. They start forming in the jaw years earlier, around ages 7 to 10. Some people get fewer than four or none, and some have teeth that stay stuck under the gum.
At what age do wisdom teeth come in?
For most people, wisdom teeth come through in the late teens or early twenties. The ADA’s tooth eruption chart lists the third molars at 17 to 21 years for both the upper and lower jaw. Cleveland Clinic says they usually erupt between 17 and 25.
The ADA notes that these ages are approximate, and teeth can come in earlier or later. A wisdom tooth showing up at 16, or at 24, isn’t unusual on its own. Upper and lower wisdom teeth also don’t always arrive at the same time, and one side can come in years before the other.
Where wisdom teeth fit in the tooth timeline
Wisdom teeth are the third set of permanent molars. Each set arrives about six years apart.
| Tooth | Typical age it comes in (ADA) |
|---|---|
| First molars (“6-year molars”) | 6 to 7 years |
| Second molars (“12-year molars”) | 11 to 13 years |
| Third molars (wisdom teeth) | 17 to 21 years |
Ages are approximate, and the range for each tooth varies from person to person.
The name comes from timing. The ADA explains they’re called wisdom teeth because they come through at a more mature age. Learn more about what they are and why they so often cause trouble in our guide to wisdom teeth.
When do wisdom teeth start to form?
Long before they show up. Wisdom teeth begin developing inside the jaw in childhood, roughly ages 7 to 10. The crowns form first, and the roots keep growing through the teens. That’s why a dentist can often see developing wisdom teeth on an x-ray in the early teen years, even though they won’t come through the gum for several more years.
Dental x-rays during the mid-to-late teens can show whether wisdom teeth are present, which way they’re angled, and whether there seems to be room for them.
Can wisdom teeth come in after 25?
It happens, but it’s less common. Cleveland Clinic’s 17 to 25 range covers most people. A wisdom tooth that hasn’t come in by the mid-20s is often impacted, meaning something is blocking it, such as another tooth, bone, or gum tissue.
Some impacted teeth stay put for life with no symptoms. Others start to move or cause problems later, sometimes in a person’s 30s or beyond. A dentist can check with an x-ray if you notice new pressure or pain at the back of your mouth at any age.
Why some people never get wisdom teeth
Not everyone develops all four. A 2015 review of 92 studies covering more than 63,000 people estimated that about 23% of people worldwide are missing at least one wisdom tooth. Missing one or two was more common than missing three or four. Women were somewhat more likely than men to be missing at least one, and upper wisdom teeth were missing more often than lower ones. Rates also varied a lot by region.
So if you’re in your 20s and have never had a wisdom tooth come in, it may simply not exist. It may also be under the gum. Only an x-ray can tell.
How common are impacted wisdom teeth?
A 2016 review of 49 studies with more than 83,000 people aged 17 and older estimated that about 24% have at least one impacted wisdom tooth. Lower wisdom teeth were more likely to be impacted than upper ones. The most common pattern was a tooth tilted forward toward the second molar.
An impacted tooth may be fully hidden in bone, or it may break partly through the gum. Partly erupted teeth are the ones most likely to cause trouble. The ADA notes they can give bacteria a way into the gum and create a place for infection, which can bring pain, swelling and jaw stiffness.
First signs your wisdom teeth are coming in
Some wisdom teeth come in with no symptoms at all. When there are signs, they usually show up at the very back of the mouth, behind the last molar:
- Pressure or a dull ache in the back of the jaw, sometimes on and off for weeks
- Tender, red or slightly swollen gum behind the last molar
- A small flap of gum over part of a tooth that’s breaking through
- A white tooth tip you can see or feel with your tongue
- Mild jaw stiffness or soreness when chewing
Signs that suggest a problem rather than normal eruption include worsening pain, swelling that spreads to the cheek or jaw, pus, a bad taste or bad breath that doesn’t go away, trouble opening your mouth, or fever. Cleveland Clinic describes an infection of the gum around a partly erupted wisdom tooth, called pericoronitis, as most common in people in their 20s. It can cause bad breath, pus and facial swelling, and it can become serious if it isn’t treated.
Do wisdom teeth have to come out?
Not always. The ADA says removal is often recommended when there are changes such as pain, infection, cysts or gum disease. Wisdom teeth that come in fully, sit in a good position, and can be cleaned are sometimes monitored instead.
A dentist can check how your wisdom teeth are developing on routine x-rays. If removal is likely, our guide to wisdom teeth removal covers costs, the procedure and recovery, and our guide on what to eat after wisdom teeth removal helps with the first week.
When to see a dentist
See a dentist if:
- You have pain, pressure or swelling at the back of your mouth that lasts more than a few days or keeps coming back
- The gum over a partly erupted tooth is swollen, oozing or tastes bad
- You’re in your late teens and haven’t had your wisdom teeth checked on an x-ray
- Food keeps getting trapped behind your last molar, or that area bleeds when you brush
Get care the same day for facial swelling, fever, trouble opening your mouth, or trouble swallowing or breathing. These can be signs of a spreading infection. If you can’t reach your dentist, see our guide to finding an emergency dentist or go to urgent care or the ER.
Frequently asked questions
What is the youngest age wisdom teeth can come in?
Wisdom teeth occasionally come in during the mid-teens, but the ADA lists 17 to 21 as the usual range. They start forming much earlier, around ages 7 to 10, so a dentist may see them on an x-ray in the early teens. A tooth erupting at 15 or 16 is uncommon but not necessarily a problem.
Can wisdom teeth come in at 30?
They can, though it’s unusual. Most wisdom teeth erupt by about 25. A tooth that moves or breaks through later is often one that was impacted or blocked and has shifted. New pain, swelling or pressure at the back of the mouth at any age is worth having checked with an x-ray.
How long does it take for a wisdom tooth to come in?
It varies. Some wisdom teeth come through over a few weeks or months, and others take much longer or stop partway. Many people notice symptoms that come and go rather than one steady stretch. A tooth that stays partly through the gum for a long time is more likely to trap food and bacteria.
Does everyone have four wisdom teeth?
No. A large review estimated that about 23% of people worldwide are missing at least one wisdom tooth, and some people have none. Others have all four, but one or more is impacted and never comes through. Only a dental x-ray can show how many you have and where they are.
Does it hurt when wisdom teeth come in?
It can. Many people feel pressure, a dull ache, or tender gums at the back of the mouth while a wisdom tooth erupts. Some feel nothing. Sharp or worsening pain, swelling, pus, a bad taste or fever is not typical of normal eruption and can mean infection, so it’s worth seeing a dentist promptly.
