How to Know Your Wisdom Teeth Are Growing?

An adult typically has 32 teeth. The teeth erupt in different stages of life. However, by the time you are about 18 years, you should have at least 28 teeth erupting. Usually, the existing teeth are functional and sufficient to perform the tasks of the oral cavity. Wisdom teeth begin to grow later on in adulthood.

What Are Wisdom Teeth?

They are the last four molars to erupt in a human mouth. Wisdom teeth are in the furthest corners of the mouth – two teeth for either arc of the jawbone.

At What Age Do Wisdom Teeth Start Erupting?

People generally grow teeth at different intervals, whether in childhood or adulthood. Wisdom teeth start erupting between ages 16 and 25. Hardly will all the wisdom teeth erupt at once.

Will You Know When Wisdom Teeth Star Erupting?

Wisdom tooth eruption is hard to miss. The best dentists in Sault Ste. Marie, ON, will often highlight five signs that your wisdom teeth are erupting. They include the following:

1. Tenderness and discomfort around the back of your mouth – may feel like you have inflamed tonsils or gum disease. You will even have difficulty chewing normally because of the discomfort at the back of the mouth.
2. Swollen gums and jaw – you will notice some inflammation at the site of tooth growth and the surrounding areas. Some people have significant inflammation that causes the cheeks and neck area to appear and feel swollen.
3. Dental pain – when wisdom teeth are erupting, a lot of the time, it feels like you have an underlying infection. The pain will protrude from the jaw to the gums and the surrounding area. Some patients report it as a dull throbbing sensation emerging from the jawbone and the gums. Chewing and swallowing can be difficult and painful, especially concerning hard foods.
4. Difficulty opening your mouth – if you experience any of the above symptoms, it will be difficult to open your mouth. The feeling of pressure in the furthest point of your mouth or jaw spreading to the throat will make or hard for you to open your mouth.
5. Bad breath and taste in your mouth – all the changes in your oral structure at the back of the mouth will cause a bad odor. It may not be similar to the breath of tooth decay. However, the soreness, swelling, and lacerations likely to develop in the area will contribute to bad breath and taste in your mouth.

How Long Does It Take for a Wisdom Tooth to Grow?

The dentist near you at Great North Dental will tell you that wisdom teeth eruption varies for each patient. It can even take years before all your wisdom teeth erupt. However, not all wisdom teeth fully erupt. Some may just begin the growing process but not completely erupt from the jawbone. Such results in oral problems like impacted wisdom teeth.

What Circumstances Merit Wisdom Tooth Extraction?

Dentists do not recommend extracting all wisdom teeth – at least not for every patient. Some of the reasons why your dentist may recommend removing your wisdom teeth are:

1. Impacted teeth – when the wisdom teeth are partially or wholly stuck underneath the gums, they must be extracted.
2. Overcrowding – if you have little to no room in your jawbone for extra teeth to erupt, your dentist will recommend removing the wisdom teeth. It may be the better solution than undergoing orthodontic treatment with braces for years so you can correct your teeth’ alignment.
3. Cavities and decay – when it takes too long for wisdom teeth to erupt, it can heighten their risk of infection through the years. Dentists recommend pulling out wisdom teeth that develop cavities or are at a high risk of bacterial infections.

Conclusion

Wisdom teeth are the last teeth to erupt in a human mouth, typically to reinforce the role of molars. However, if your wisdom teeth are too problematic, your mouth can remain optimally functional without them.