How Long Does It Take for Wisdom Teeth to Fully Erupt?

It’s not uncommon for people to have concerns about when their wisdom teeth will erupt. After all, wisdom teeth can cause pain and discomfort. Plus, dentists often recommend that they be extracted because they can cause other dental problems down the line. So, it’s only natural to want to know what to expect.

But how long does it take for wisdom teeth to erupt fully? How will you know if they’re about to come in, and when do you know if you need to have them extracted? This blog post will answer those questions and more. Keep on reading!

What Is A Wisdom Tooth?

A wisdom tooth is the final adult tooth to erupt in a person’s mouth. They are the four back teeth located at the very back of the mouth. Most people will have all four wisdom teeth come in fully, but some may only get two or three.

For some people, wisdom teeth erupt straight away with no problems. However, for others, wisdom teeth can be impacted, which means they get stuck under the gum line and can’t fully erupt. This can affect how long it will take for them to come out of your gum line.

Many people have their wisdom teeth removed because they can often cause problems, such as overcrowding and tooth decay.

Why Do We Have Wisdom Teeth?

We all know that wisdom teeth can be a pain – literally. But why do we have them in the first place?

The answer may lie in our distant past. Our ancestors had a diet mostly made up of tough plant foods that required a lot of chewing. As a result, they needed a strong jaw with plenty of room for large molars.

However, as our diet has changed over time and we have started eating softer foods, our jaws have become smaller. As a result, there is often not enough room for wisdom teeth, which can cause them to become impacted (stuck).

Wisdom teeth are now considered to be vestigial organs. In other words, they don’t serve any real purpose anymore. But that doesn’t mean that wisdom teeth are entirely useless. Studies have shown that wisdom teeth can actually help to improve our bite balance and jaw alignment. So while they may be a nuisance, wisdom teeth still serve a small but important role in oral health.

When Do Wisdom Teeth Appear?

It is usually said that wisdom teeth are the teeth that come in at the “wisdom” age of 20. While this is true for some people, wisdom teeth can erupt anytime between the ages of 17 and 25.

Wisdom teeth can mean wisdom, as they erupt at an age when people start to “gain wisdom” – or it can mean pain. Impacted wisdom teeth do not have enough room to come in and get stuck against other teeth. This can cause pain, infections, and damage to other teeth. They need to be removed by a dentist.

Some people have wisdom teeth that come in just fine and don’t need to be removed. But for most people, wisdom teeth need to be removed at some point in their lives. Whether or not you will need your wisdom teeth removed is something you should discuss with your dentist.

How Long Do Wisdom Teeth Take to Come Through the Gum?

Depending on the person, wisdom teeth can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months to come through the gum. In some cases, wisdom teeth may not come in at all.

For most people, wisdom teeth first become visible in the late teen years or early adulthood. However, it’s not unusual for wisdom teeth to not appear until the early 30s.

If wisdom teeth do come in, they typically erupt from the back of the mouth, behind the molars. In some cases, wisdom teeth may only partially erupt or become impacted, meaning they get stuck in the jaw bone or gums.

It’s difficult to say exactly how long it will take for your wisdom teeth to fully erupt, as it varies from person to person.

How Can I Know If My Wisdom Teeth Are Coming In?

There are possible signs which may indicate that they are about to come in. If you’re experiencing wisdom teeth symptoms, it’s important to see a dentist so they can assess the situation. They can take x-rays and determine if there is enough room in your mouth for them to come in without causing problems.

Sometimes wisdom teeth don’t need to be removed and can be left alone. But if they are causing pain, crowding, or other problems, your dentist may recommend wisdom teeth removal.

Signs that Your Wisdom Teeth Are About to Come In

You may not be sure if your wisdom teeth are coming in until they’ve already started to poke through the gums. Here are a few things to look out for that can indicate your wisdom teeth are on their way:

• Pain or tenderness in the back of the mouth:
  This is often the first sign that wisdom teeth are beginning to come in. You may feel pain when chewing or pressure in the back of your jaw.
• Swelling or redness in the gums:
  As the wisdom teeth push their way in, this can cause inflammation and swelling in the surrounding gum tissue.
• Crowding:
  As wisdom teeth begin to come in, they can push on the other teeth in your mouth and cause them to become crowded. It can also result in crooked teeth.
• Bad breath:
  Wisdom teeth that are coming in can cause an increase in bacteria, leading to bad breath or a foul taste in your mouth.
• Small white specks on the gum line:
  These are usually caused by recurrent injury to the gum flap that is covering the wisdom tooth.

Sometimes wisdom teeth can lead to pain, infection, and damage to nearby teeth. If they are causing problems, they may need to be removed by a dentist.

How Is A Wisdom Tooth Removed?

The removal process or wisdom tooth removal is usually pretty straightforward and is performed by an experienced dentist. It can be done under local anesthesia, sedation, or general anesthesia.
Here’s what happens during a wisdom tooth removal procedure:

1. The dentist will numb the area around the tooth with a local anesthetic.
2. The dentist will then make an incision in the gums to expose the wisdom tooth.
3. They will use a drill to make a small hole in the tooth to get a better grip on it.
4. They will use a pair of pliers to remove the tooth. In some cases, the dentist may need to cut the tooth into smaller pieces before removing it.
5. After removing the wisdom tooth, gauze will be placed over the extraction site to help stop bleeding.
   Finally, they will stitch up the hole in your gum. It’s important to note that not all dentists use stitches.
6. The dentist will give you aftercare instructions while it heals.

Recovery from wisdom tooth removal surgery usually takes a few days to a week. During this time, patients should eat soft foods and avoid hot foods and strenuous activity. Over-the-counter pain medication and anti-inflammatory medications can also help to manage any mild discomfort during recovery.

Do All Wisdom Teeth Need to Be Removed?

For some people, their wisdom teeth come in without problems and fit nicely into the mouth. However, wisdom teeth can often be problematic, as they may erupt only partially or become impacted, meaning they get stuck under the gums.

When wisdom teeth become impacted, they can crowd other teeth and cause pain, cavities or gum disease. As a result, many people opt to have their troublesome wisdom teeth removed.

While wisdom tooth extraction is a relatively common dental procedure, it is not always necessary. If your wisdom teeth are coming in without any problems, you may not need to have them removed.

Impacted Wisdom Tooth Complications

Impacted wisdom teeth can cause problems, which is why they are often removed. Complications of wisdom tooth impaction include:

Bad Breath

Impacted wisdom teeth can cause bad breath for a few reasons.

First, when wisdom teeth are impacted, they can create pockets of food and bacteria that are difficult to clean. This can lead to an overgrowth of bacteria, which can cause bad breath.

Second, impacted wisdom teeth can also cause inflammation and infection in the gums. This can lead to a build-up of pus, which can also cause bad breath.

Finally, impacted wisdom teeth can block the drainage channels in the mouth, leading to a build-up of saliva and mucus. This can also cause bad breath.

Cavity Formation

Impacted wisdom teeth can increase the risk of tooth decay and cavities for a few reasons.

First, they can crowd other teeth and cause them to shift. This can create spaces between teeth that are difficult to clean, which increases the risk of cavities.

Second, they can trap food debris and bacteria against the gum line, leading to inflammation and the formation of cavities.

Finally, they can put pressure on the roots of other teeth, causing the tooth enamel to break down and allowing bacteria to enter the tooth.

While these are all ways that impacted wisdom teeth can cause cavities, it’s important to note that not all impacted wisdom teeth will lead to cavities. However, it’s important to be aware of the potential risks so that you can take steps to protect your dental health.

Crowding

Impacted wisdom teeth are often the cause of crowding. When a wisdom tooth is impacted, it doesn’t have enough room to erupt through the gum line. This can cause the tooth to come in at an awkward angle or become lodged against another tooth. This causes surrounding teeth to become crowded because they push on these teeth.

Damage to Adjacent Teeth

Impacted wisdom teeth can damage neighbouring teeth for a few different reasons. It’s important to be aware of these risks so that you can take steps to protect your oral health.

First, impacted wisdom teeth can put pressure on adjacent teeth, which can cause them to become crooked.

Second, impacted wisdom teeth can lead to gum disease and damage a nearby tooth.

Finally, impacted wisdom teeth can make it difficult to brush and floss properly, which means that plaque and tartar can build up on adjacent teeth and lead to decay.

Gum Disease

When wisdom teeth become impacted, they can push on neighbouring teeth and cause them to shift out of alignment. This can create small spaces between the teeth where bacteria and bits of food can become trapped. If these spaces are not cleaned properly, they can lead to gum disease.

Gum disease is an infection of the gums that can cause redness, swelling, and bleeding. Left untreated, gum disease can damage the gums and the bones that support the teeth.

Impacted wisdom teeth are a common cause of gum disease, so you must see a dentist if you think you may have impacted wisdom teeth.

Infection

There is an increased risk of infection, or pericoronitis, in impacted wisdom teeth. This is because they are hard to clean, and food particles get stuck in them. Bacteria can grow in the food and cause swelling, redness, and pain.

If the impacted wisdom tooth is not removed, the infection can spread to other parts of the mouth, jaw, and face. Sometimes, it may even spread throughout the body and cause a systemic infection.

Final Thoughts

If your wisdom teeth are taking a long time to come in, or if they’re not coming in at all, we recommend booking a dental consultation. This is the best way to figure out what’s going on and determine the best course of action to take.

However, if your wisdom teeth are causing pain or other problems, our team at Maylands Dental Centre can assess the situation and formulate a customised treatment plan. Schedule a dental appointment with one of our friendly dentists by booking via our website, or you may call us at (08) 9370 5464.