On average, wisdom teeth stop growing by the time people are about 30 years old. Their nickname is because of how late in life they develop! Most people will see their wisdom teeth coming in by the time they’re in college or during their 20s, but it’s not uncommon for someone closer to 30 years of age to finally see them come in.
The earliest signs of wisdom teeth can be seen on X-rays in adolescents. Panoramic films (which encompass the entire mouth, jaws, and TMJ) will be able to show if the third molars are starting to form. The earliest timeframe for someone to have their wisdom teeth taken out is usually in their late teens.
If you’re well past the time of having your wisdom teeth grow in, you might not be totally off the hook. If you’re over 30 years old and your third molars have erupted, they’ll be prone to issues like cavities or gum disease because of how hard they are to clean. If for any reason they become infected, a dentist will recommend extracting them.