One of the more baffling aspects of dental health is the emergence of wisdom teeth. Many people experience pain from their wisdom teeth growing through, often leading to extraction. Just like your baby teeth first emerge as a youngster and your adult teeth come through later, your wisdom teeth are likely to appear sooner or later. But can you first see your wisdom teeth in your 30s? Let’s look at the phenomenon of wisdom teeth and what to do if yours still haven’t appeared by the time you reach your 30s.
What Are Wisdom Teeth?
The term’ wisdom teeth’ refers to the third set of molars that typically emerge in one’s late teens or early twenties. These teeth are the last to surface, tucked away in the farthest corners of your mouth. While they once served a purpose in our ancestors’ diets, modern diets have rendered these extra molars largely obsolete.
As a result, most people choose to have their wisdom teeth extracted. This is partly because we no longer really need them but also because they’re often painful. In many cases, there isn’t enough room in your gums, leaving your wisdom teeth to become impacted or grow in the wrong position.
When Do Wisdom Teeth Normally Grow?
Wisdom teeth usually make their first appearance between the ages of 17 and 25. However, this isn’t a hard and fast rule. Some wisdom teeth arrive later, while others don’t develop them at all. From an evolutionary standpoint, they are no longer necessary, which is perhaps why we are seeing more people report that their wisdom teeth never appear. So, there’s no set rule about when your wisdom teeth should start growing or if they even grow at all. Genetic and dental factors influence this, so if they don’t show up in your 20s, don’t be too alarmed.
Can Your Wisdom Teeth Come Through In Your 30s?
Wisdom teeth can definitely appear in your 30s. While wisdom teeth are more common to emerge earlier, they certainly can begin growing in your 30s. However, it’s important to note that by the time you reach the age of 30, your teeth and gum structure have already mainly formed. This means emerging new teeth with limited gum space can cause complications.
Why Should Wisdom Teeth Be Removed?
Wisdom teeth removal isn’t always necessary, but especially when they emerge later in life, they can cause pain and a number of other issues. Wisdom teeth may become impacted, grow crooked, become infected or even damage your other teeth. No matter what age you are when you first feel your wisdom teeth, it’s a good idea to contact your local Maroubra dentist for a checkup. Wisdom teeth aren’t anything to be afraid of, but professional advice is always best due to the potential complications they can cause.
What Are the Side Effects of Wisdom Tooth Removal?
Wisdom teeth removal is considered a relatively normal dental procedure with some potential side effects. These may include swelling, bruising, and discomfort in the jaw. Rarely, nerve damage may occur. Like any surgical procedure, you can expect the site to be sensitive and painful for a few days. However, with proper care, you shouldn’t experience problems. As always, your trusted dental professional is your first point of contact should you experience any side effects.
What If My Wisdom Teeth Never Come In?
What about if your 30s pass you by, and you still don’t see your wisdom teeth coming through? Fortunately, you don’t need to worry about this. As we mentioned, wisdom teeth are largely surplus to our needs. There are no dental issues associated with not having wisdom teeth, so you’ll be perfectly fine. In fact, if they never show up, you’ll never have to deal with any of the potential complications they bring. So, if your wisdom teeth never appear, you may even consider yourself one of the lucky ones.
