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Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth are so called since they come of age when people are maturing. For some people, wisdom teeth are painful and must be removed.

Key takeaways:

  • Wisdom teeth refer to the third set of molars that will appear between the ages of 17 and 21 years.
  • The appearance of wisdom teeth is linked to problems especially if there is no space for them to grow.
  • Wisdom teeth are permanent teeth and may need to be removed if there is pain, infection, cysts, tooth decay, gum disease, and even for dental procedures such as insertion of braces.

Wisdom teeth that are not removed should continue to be monitored because the potential for developing problems later on still exists. As people age, they are at greater risk for health problems—and that includes potential problems with their wisdom teeth.

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