How Long Do Wisdom Teeth Take to Grow?

Wisdom teeth are slow little things. Wisdom teeth usually start coming through in the teens or early twenties but the whole process can take months or even several years.. Sometimes a wisdom tooth never fully appears above the gum at all.

You might notice a spot at the back of your mouth for a few days then nothing happens for weeks. Later another bit of a wisdom tooth shows up. Annoying? Absolutely.

When Do Wisdom Teeth Start Growing?

Most people start developing wisdom teeth during their years although you will not necessarily feel anything while wisdom teeth are forming. Wisdom teeth are developing beneath the gums long before they become visible.

Usually wisdom teeth begin pushing through between ages 17 and 25.. There is no strict birthday for this. Some people see wisdom teeth earlier. Others do not notice wisdom teeth until their twenties.

Why Does It Take Long?

A wisdom tooth has to move through the jawbone and gum before you can see a wisdom tooth. That takes time because a wisdom tooth is literally making its way into position than simply popping into place.

The amount of space available matters. If there is room a wisdom tooth may gradually come through. If another wisdom tooth is blocking a wisdom tooth a wisdom tooth can remain partly covered or stay trapped under the gum.

How Long Does It Take for a Wisdom Tooth to Come Through?

Once a wisdom tooth starts erupting a wisdom tooth can take months to fully appear. Some wisdom teeth come through quickly. Others seem to move an amount stop then start again later.

You may notice tenderness around the molar during these periods. The gum can feel swollen especially when food gets caught around a wisdom tooth.

Signs Your Wisdom Tooth Is Coming Through

• A ache at the very back of your jaw especially when chewing.

• The gum feels puffy around the area. It can be uncomfortable when your toothbrush reaches it.

• A hard edge under the gum. That little bump is often the part of a wisdom tooth you can feel.

• Jaw stiffness sometimes shows up too although persistent pain deserves a check rather than being blamed on eruption.

What If the Wisdom Tooth Doesn’t Fully Grow?

This is where things get interesting. A wisdom tooth does not always have room to come through properly. A wisdom tooth may grow at an angle and press against a wisdom tooth in front of it. That is called an impacted wisdom tooth.

Some impacted wisdom teeth cause no trouble all and simply stay hidden. Others lead to repeated gum swelling or pain because the surrounding area is difficult to keep clean.

So if a wisdom tooth has been partly visible for ages do not assume a wisdom tooth is still “growing” normally. A dentist can check a wisdom tooth’s position with an X‑ray. See what is actually happening below the gum.

When Should You Get It Checked?

A little soreness while a wisdom tooth erupts is not unusual. Severe pain is not something you should just wait out.

Get a wisdom tooth checked if a wisdom tooth’s pain keeps returning the gum becomes very swollen. You notice a bad taste, around a wisdom tooth. Difficulty opening your mouth is another reason to stop guessing and have a wisdom tooth looked at.