Does everyone have wisdom teeth?

Some people have all four wisdom teeth, but others have only three, two, one or even none. Also known as third molars, wisdom teeth are the last to erupt.

In most cases, wisdom teeth erupt after the age of 18. Some of them may erupt completely, whereas others may remain buried. They often behave just like any other tooth and only need to be removed when infection occurs or for orthodontic and prosthetic reasons. Poor alignment of wisdom teeth may cause damage to adjacent teeth, nerves or the jawbone, according to WebMD. Gum disease and tooth decay may occur in wisdom teeth because they are more difficult to reach when brushing.