Wisdom teeth facts for kids

Wisdom teeth are the last set of teeth to grow in your mouth. Most people get them when they are older teenagers or young adults, usually between 17 and 25 years old. They are at the very back of your mouth, both on the top and bottom. Many people need to have them removed because they often grow in a crooked way or don't have enough space.

Why are they called wisdom teeth?

These teeth are called "wisdom teeth" because they appear much later than your other teeth. By the time they come in, you are usually older and, hopefully, a bit wiser! They are also known as third molars because they are the third set of molars to grow.

Why do wisdom teeth cause problems?

Sometimes, wisdom teeth don't have enough room to grow straight. This can lead to several problems:

• Impacted teeth: This means the tooth is stuck and can't fully break through the gum. It might grow sideways, at an angle, or even stay completely hidden under the gum and bone.
• Pain and swelling: An impacted tooth can push against other teeth, causing pain. The gum around it can also become swollen and sore.
• Crowding: If a wisdom tooth tries to push into a crowded mouth, it can make your other teeth shift, leading to crooked teeth.
• Infection: When a wisdom tooth only partially comes through, it can create a flap of gum where food and bacteria get trapped. This can lead to painful infections.
• Damage to other teeth: A wisdom tooth growing at an angle can push against the molar next to it, possibly damaging that tooth or making it harder to clean.

When are wisdom teeth removed?

If your wisdom teeth are causing problems, a dentist or an oral surgeon might suggest removing them. This is a common procedure. They usually decide if removal is needed based on X-rays and a check-up of your mouth.

How are wisdom teeth removed?

Removing wisdom teeth is a type of surgery. Before the surgery, you will get medicine to make sure you don't feel any pain. This might be a local anesthetic (which numbs just your mouth) or a general anesthetic (which makes you sleep).

The surgeon will make a small cut in your gum to reach the tooth. Sometimes, they might need to remove a little bit of bone around the tooth or cut the tooth into smaller pieces to make it easier to take out. After the tooth is removed, the gum is usually stitched closed.

After the surgery

After your wisdom teeth are removed, you might feel some swelling and soreness. The dentist will give you instructions on how to care for your mouth, like what to eat and how to keep it clean. It's important to follow these instructions carefully to help you heal quickly. Most people recover fully in a few days to a week.

Images for kids

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  The upper left (picture right) and upper right (picture left) wisdom teeth are distoangularly impacted. The lower left wisdom tooth is horizontally impacted. The lower right wisdom tooth is vertically impacted (unidentifiable in orthopantomogram).

See also

In Spanish: Muela del juicio para niños