Does everyone grow wisdom teeth?

Oct 18, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Liu Chao

Introduction

Generally speaking, not everyone develops wisdom teeth. The presence and number of wisdom teeth that grow are influenced by factors such as genetics and jawbone development. Some people fully develop all four wisdom teeth, while others may grow only one to three, and some do not develop any at all. Regardless of whether wisdom teeth emerge, proper oral hygiene should be maintained daily, including brushing teeth morning and night and rinsing the mouth after meals.

Generally speaking, not everyone develops wisdom teeth. Whether wisdom teeth emerge and how many appear are influenced by factors such as genetics and jawbone development. Some people fully develop all four wisdom teeth, others develop only one to three, and some do not develop any at all. A detailed explanation is as follows:

From a physiological development standpoint, wisdom teeth are the last permanent teeth to erupt in the human mouth, with a normal total of four—located at the back end of both upper and lower jaws on each side. If there is sufficient space in the jawbone and the wisdom teeth have proper positioning for eruption, and if they can function normally for chewing, these individuals will successfully grow their wisdom teeth. In such cases, maintaining regular oral hygiene is usually sufficient, and no discomfort typically occurs.

However, due to the gradual reduction in jaw size during human evolution, some individuals lack adequate jaw space to accommodate the eruption of wisdom teeth. This may result in impacted wisdom teeth that remain trapped within the jawbone and fail to emerge. Additionally, some people are born without wisdom tooth germs due to genetic factors, meaning they will naturally never develop wisdom teeth.

Regardless of whether wisdom teeth emerge, daily oral care is essential. It's important to brush teeth twice a day, rinse after meals, and have regular dental check-ups. For those who have erupted wisdom teeth, special attention should be paid to the condition of the surrounding gums to prevent food debris accumulation and subsequent inflammation, thus maintaining overall oral health.

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Can a wisdom tooth with a large cavity still be successfully extracted?

Wisdom teeth with large cavities can usually be extracted smoothly. Even if the tooth has a significant cavity, dentists can completely remove it using professional tools and techniques. However, special conditions such as acute inflammation within the cavity, root fracture, or nerve adhesion must first be ruled out. If there is recurrent pain, swelling around the wisdom tooth, or food impaction in the cavity, prompt medical attention is recommended.

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最里面的牙龈肿痛What to do才能好

Swelling and pain in the innermost gums may be caused by food impaction, improper brushing techniques, pericoronitis of wisdom teeth, gingivitis, or periodontitis. Symptoms can be improved through oral hygiene, adjusting brushing habits, medication, local treatments, or professional dental care. If symptoms persist or are accompanied by fever or facial swelling, prompt medical attention is necessary.

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What should I do if my jaw is swollen due to a toothache?

In general, jaw swelling accompanied by toothache may be caused by long-term consumption of spicy and irritating foods, inadequate oral hygiene, gingivitis, periapical periodontitis, or pericoronitis of wisdom teeth. It is recommended to seek medical attention promptly, identify the underlying cause, and then improve the condition under a doctor's guidance through conservative management, medication, surgical treatment, or other appropriate methods. In daily life, avoid chewing with the affected side of the mouth to reduce stress on the affected area.

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What should I do if toothache causes headache?

Toothache-induced headaches may be caused by improper tooth alignment, sensitivity to hot or cold stimuli, shallow caries, pulpitis, pericoronitis of wisdom teeth, or other reasons. It is recommended to seek timely medical attention, identify the underlying cause, and then improve symptoms under a doctor's guidance through general treatments, medications, surgical interventions, or other methods. In daily life, maintain good oral hygiene by brushing teeth morning and night, rinsing after meals, and undergoing regular dental check-ups.