Wisdom teeth usually come in between ages 17 and 25, but they can show up later (sometimes even into the early 30s) or never come in at all.

Quick Scoop: How late can wisdom teeth come in?

  • Most common window: ages 17–25.
  • “Late” but still normal: late 20s to early 30s in some people.
  • Some people’s wisdom teeth stay buried in the jaw (impacted) and never break through the gums. A dentist can still see them on X‑rays.
  • A small group of people simply never develop wisdom teeth at all, which is also considered normal.

What “late” actually looks like

Think of it like this:

  1. Typical timing
    • Eruption (breaking through the gums) usually starts in late teens and early 20s, often finishing by mid‑20s.
  1. Late bloomers
    • In some adults, wisdom teeth don’t erupt until the later 20s or around 30, especially if they developed more slowly or didn’t have room earlier.
 * They may sit silently in the jaw for years before shifting and trying to erupt.
  1. Never fully erupting
    • Teeth can remain impacted in the bone or under the gums for life, causing no symptoms, mild pressure, or sometimes infections and crowding if they start to move.

Signs yours might be coming in late

Common clues (even in your late 20s or 30s):

  • Dull ache or pressure at the very back of your jaw.
  • Red, swollen, or tender gums behind your last molars.
  • Jaw stiffness, headaches, or pain when biting down.
  • Food trapping behind the last tooth, bad taste, or bad breath from that area.

If you feel any of this on just one side, it can still be a wisdom tooth trying to push through.

When to actually worry

Late‑erupting wisdom teeth aren’t automatically a problem, but you should get checked soon if you notice:

  • Persistent pain or throbbing at the back of the mouth.
  • Swelling in the gums or jaw, or difficulty opening your mouth.
  • Repeated infections around the same area.
  • Crowding or shifting of your other teeth.

A dentist or oral surgeon can take an X‑ray and tell you:

  • Whether you even have wisdom teeth.
  • If they’re coming in straight and can stay.
  • If they’re impacted and better removed before they cause trouble.

Quick rule of thumb: If you’re in your late 20s or 30s and feel new pressure or pain behind your last molar, it’s absolutely still possible it’s a wisdom tooth—get an exam and X‑ray to be sure.

Bottom line: Most wisdom teeth come in by 25, but some erupt later, and many stay hidden or never form; only an X‑ray can give you a clear answer for your mouth.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.