Babies are not born with wisdom teeth. These teeth, also known as third molars, develop and emerge much later in life, typically during the late teenage years or early twenties. While foundational tooth structures begin forming before birth, wisdom teeth develop on a distinct timeline.
Early Dental Development
The development of a baby’s first teeth, known as primary or deciduous teeth, begins around the fifth or sixth week of pregnancy. During this stage, tooth buds form within the jawbones. By about three to four months of gestation, the hard tissues surrounding these developing teeth form.
At birth, a baby already has all 20 primary teeth developing within their jaws. The eruption of these teeth, where they break through the gums, typically starts around six months of age. The lower central incisors are usually the first to appear, followed by other teeth in a generally predictable sequence. Most children have a full set of 20 primary teeth by two and a half to three years of age. These primary teeth are then gradually shed, making way for the permanent teeth that begin to emerge around age six.
The Emergence of Wisdom Teeth
Wisdom teeth are the last set of permanent teeth to emerge into the mouth. Their development begins around 7-10 years of age, with root formation continuing into the mid-teens. These molars typically begin to appear in the mouth between the ages of 17 and 25, though this timing can vary significantly among individuals.
Once they begin to emerge, wisdom teeth can take weeks, months, or even years to fully emerge. Some individuals may not develop wisdom teeth at all, or they may have fewer than the typical four. In some cases, wisdom teeth may not fully erupt, remaining partially or completely embedded within the jawbone or gums.
Common Challenges with Wisdom Teeth
Wisdom teeth often pose problems due to insufficient space in the jaw. This can lead to them growing at an abnormal angle or becoming trapped beneath the gum line, a condition known as impaction. Impacted wisdom teeth are common.
These issues can cause pain, swelling, and tenderness in the jaw or surrounding gums. Impaction can also lead to infections of the gum tissue around the tooth, known as pericoronitis, or increase the risk of tooth decay in the wisdom tooth itself or the adjacent second molar. Cysts, fluid-filled sacs that can damage the jawbone and nerves, may also form around wisdom teeth. Often, dental professionals recommend extraction of them to prevent these complications.
The challenges associated with wisdom teeth are often linked to human evolutionary changes. Early humans had larger jaws and consumed tougher, unprocessed diets that necessitated more chewing power. However, as human diets became softer with the advent of agriculture and cooking, jaw sizes gradually reduced. This evolutionary shift means many modern humans have jaws too small to accommodate wisdom teeth without complications.