What does it mean to have impacted wisdom teeth? – Ryan* Wisdom teeth are the third set of molars located in the very back of the mouth. They are the last teeth to grow in, usually between the ages of 17 and 21. In many people, wisdom teeth are unable to grow in normally. The teeth either become stuck under the gum or are only able to partially break through the gum. Dentists call these teeth impacted. Wisdom teeth usually become impacted because the jaw doesn't have enough space for all the teeth that are growing in, or because the tooth comes in at the wrong angle and bumps into the tooth in front of it. Impacted wisdom teeth are fairly common. Although some people never have any trouble with them, impacted wisdom teeth can cause problems. An impacted wisdom tooth can sometimes trap food, plaque, and other debris in the soft tissue around it, leading to swelling, gum tenderness, cavities, and bad breath. Because they may damage other teeth — or cause pain or infection — dentists or oral surgeons often remove impacted wisdom teeth. *Names have been changed to protect user privacy. Back to Articles Related Articles Gum Disease Gum disease doesn't just happen to people your grandparents' age - it can happen to teens too. Get the details here. Read More How Will I Know If I Have Impacted Wisdom Teeth? Find out what the experts have to say. Read More Mouth and Teeth Did you know that your mouth is the first step in the body's digestive process? Or that the mouth and teeth are essential for speech? Learn about the many roles your mouth and teeth play. Read More All About Orthodontia Just getting braces and have no idea what to expect? Had braces for a while but wonder what's going on in there? Whatever your situation is, you're not alone: millions of teens have braces. Read More Taking Care of Your Teeth There's a lot more to taking care of your teeth than breath mints and mouth sprays. Read this article to learn the facts on flossing, how to give plaque the brush-off, and much more. Read More Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor. © 1995-2021 KidsHealth®. All rights reserved. Images provided by The Nemours Foundation, iStock, Getty Images, Veer, Shutterstock, and Clipart.com.