Wisdom Teeth: Growth, Eruption, and Potential Problems

Wisdom teeth, also called third molars, typically start to grow in between the ages of 17 and 25, but they may not break through the gum line until much later. Some people never have wisdom teeth, while others may have just one or two. Wisdom teeth that don't erupt properly, called impacted wisdom teeth, can cause a variety of problems, including pain, infection, and damage to nearby teeth.