You’ve probably heard about wisdom teeth — the third adult molars — and how they can “make teeth crooked.” Many parents worry their child’s wisdom teeth will crowd their other teeth and require their child to get orthodontic treatment.
There are many myths about wisdom teeth, including the idea that their eruption can “ruin” teeth. The truth is that wisdom teeth rarely move other teeth out of place. Still, they can erupt badly and cause other issues.
When will your child’s dentist start monitoring their wisdom teeth? What will they watch for, and will your child need their wisdom teeth removed? The Center for Pediatric Dental Health will clear up some myths.
When Do Wisdom Teeth Come In?
Wisdom teeth are the third set of permanent molars, the adult teeth that don’t have baby teeth equivalents. (We have 20 baby teeth and 32 adult teeth. The extra 12 include eight premolars and four third molars that don’t have baby teeth equivalents.)
Wisdom teeth begin developing in the jaw about 12-14 years of age, though they usually don’t erupt until 17-25 years of age. However, not everyone has all four wisdom teeth, and some don’t have them at all. About a quarter of Americans have fewer than four wisdom teeth.
Will your child have all four wisdom teeth? Chances are, if either parent has missing wisdom teeth, the child has a chance of having missing wisdom teeth as well. That’s one of the things your child’s dentist will check when they start monitoring wisdom teeth in teens.
Why Pediatric Dentists Start Monitoring Wisdom Teeth in Teens
Why do pediatric dentists monitor wisdom teeth? It’s easier to intervene early if there are any problems with the development of the wisdom teeth, such as whether they will have room to erupt, whether they may become impacted, or whether they may come in sideways.
While these issues probably won’t affect the teeth already in place, they could cause other problems, including jaw pain and gum infection.
When it comes to wisdom teeth, pediatric dentists will X-ray your child’s jaws around the time the wisdom teeth should be developing. They’ll keep an eye on how the roots and crowns develop in the jaw and when they look as if they may start erupting.
If there are potential problems, your child’s pediatric dentist can work with you and, if needed, an orthodontist to develop a treatment timeline to ensure the wisdom teeth erupt properly. If necessary, the wisdom teeth can be removed if they appear to be at risk of becoming impacted. It’s often easier to remove them before they erupt, as they heal faster than when they become impacted and have to be dug out of the jawbone.
Is It Common for Wisdom Teeth to Go Wrong?
It’s not uncommon for adults to have at least one impacted wisdom tooth. That’s because by the time the teeth come in, there is little to no room left in the jaw for them. It’s why many people have their wisdom teeth removed.
It’s also common for them to get infected because they are hard to reach, and therefore harder to keep clean from bacteria and food particles. Poor oral hygiene can cause infections in the gums around the teeth, especially if the teeth are impacted.
If you’re experiencing frequent pain or infections from your wisdom teeth, it might be a good idea to speak with your dentist about having them removed.
What Can Parents Expect From Dental Visits?
As your child approaches the age when wisdom teeth begin to develop, your dentist will start incorporating X-rays into their regular visits to monitor their development. The exact frequency depends on your child’s individual risk factors and dental development, and your dentist will recommend a schedule that makes sense for your child specifically. For more detail on how we approach X-ray frequency and safety, see our in-depth coverage here.
Dental X-rays are a safe and effective tool when used appropriately. To put it into perspective, the average person is exposed to about 620 millirems of radiation annually from natural and manmade sources in the environment. A dental X-ray uses 0.5-4 millirems, depending on the type and number of images taken.
By comparison, a chest X-ray uses 10-15 millirems of radiation. So dental X-rays use much less radiation, and we take additional precautions, such as lead aprons and thyroid shields, to further minimize exposure.
Once we have those X-rays, we will talk with you about your child’s wisdom teeth and how they’re developing. We’ll let you know if they look to be developing normally or if there will be problems later.
FAQs About Wisdom Teeth in Kids and Teens
When will my child’s wisdom teeth start erupting?
Wisdom teeth tend to erupt between 17 and 25 years of age. However, they begin developing in the jaw between 12-14 years of age, which is when your child’s pediatric dentist will start watching for them.
Do I need to talk to my child’s pediatric dentist about wisdom teeth?
Yes! We will need to monitor the progress of your child’s wisdom teeth to ensure they develop and erupt correctly. We will also discuss options with you if they don’t develop correctly.
Will my child need to have their wisdom teeth removed?
Not necessarily. Some people have their wisdom teeth develop and erupt just fine, so extraction isn’t necessary.
What if my child doesn’t have all of their wisdom teeth?
That’s not uncommon, especially if either parent is missing wisdom teeth. More than a quarter of the U.S. population has fewer than four wisdom teeth, and some of those have none at all. It won’t be a detriment to your child if their wisdom teeth are missing.
Wisdom Teeth Care in Sicklerville, NJ
Wisdom teeth have a bad reputation for “ruining” teeth, but most of that is a myth. However, they can cause dental issues, which is why it’s important to watch their development.
The Center for Pediatric Dental Health will monitor the progress of your child’s wisdom teeth starting at their first development. We will let you know if your child needs their teeth removed, and we can schedule the procedure if necessary.
If your child needs a pediatric dentist in Sicklerville, NJ, Mount Laurel, NJ, or Woolrich Township, NJ, schedule an appointment with The Center for Pediatric Dental Health.
