Are wisdom teeth present at birth? Specifically, are the actual teeth already formed in any way, shape, or form, even just as tooth buds, when a baby is born, or do they develop later in infancy or childhood? What is the typical timeline of wisdom teeth development from initial formation to full eruption, and at what stage, if any, are they present at birth? Are there any documented cases or medical anomalies where wisdom teeth have erupted unusually early, perhaps even at or shortly after birth?

Answer

No, wisdom teeth are not present at birth. They develop later in life. The tooth buds for wisdom teeth form in the jawbone during childhood, typically between the ages of 7 and 10. They usually erupt between the ages of 17 and 25, which is why they’re often called “wisdom” teeth, as they appear when a person is presumably older and wiser.