Wisdom teeth — the third molars — are the last teeth to come in and the ones least needed for good oral health. They usually develop around 17 years of age.
Because our jaws are smaller than our ancestors’, wisdom teeth often don’t have enough room to come in properly. Most people have four, one in each corner of the mouth, and they are often impacted (trapped in the jawbone and gums). Cramped for room, they can grow in many directions, and removal may be recommended to prevent problems.
Whether wisdom teeth cause harm depends on the size of your jaw and how they grow in. You may have no symptoms at all while your other teeth are still at risk.
It is often best to remove wisdom teeth around age 17: the bone is less dense, removal is easier, and recovery is faster because the roots have usually not fully developed.