Wisdom teeth are the third and final set of molars that usually grow in at the very back of your mouth. Most people have four of them—two on the top and two on the bottom—and they typically appear between ages 17 and 25.
Not everyone needs their wisdom teeth taken out, but removal is common because they can cause problems like:
- Impaction: The tooth gets stuck under the gums or in the jawbone because there’s not enough space.
- Crowding: They can push against nearby teeth, affecting alignment.
- Pain or swelling: Especially if they partially emerge and irritate the gums.
- Infection: Partially erupted teeth can trap food and bacteria, leading to gum infections (pericoronitis).
- Tooth decay: Their location makes them hard to clean properly.
- Cysts or damage: Rarely, they can form cysts that harm surrounding bone or teeth.