Wisdom Teeth & Teens: A Guide for Parents
- Jul 29, 2025
- 2 min read
Wisdom tooth removal is a common surgical procedure to extract one or all four third molars — the last set of adult teeth that grow in at the back of the mouth.
In most teens, these teeth don’t have enough room to grow properly. When that happens, they can press against neighboring molars, causing crowding, shifting of the bite, or impaction. Impacted wisdom teeth may also develop cysts or lead to infections if left untreated.
When Should Parents Start Watching for Wisdom Teeth?
Wisdom teeth typically begin developing in the jaw during the early teenage years and usually emerge (or attempt to) between ages 17 and 25. Many pediatric dentists and orthodontists recommend periodic X-rays starting around age 15–16 to monitor how the wisdom teeth are developing, even before symptoms appear. Catching a problem early — before pain, infection, or crowding sets in — often makes for a simpler procedure and easier recovery.
Signs it may be time for an evaluation include:
Jaw pain or swelling near the back molars
Difficulty opening the mouth fully
Crowding or shifting of previously straight teeth
Recurring bad breath or an unpleasant taste, which can signal infection
What to Expect in Wisdom Tooth Extraction
●Local Anesthesia:
To ensure your child is completely comfortable, Dr. Saltman will apply a numbing gel to the back of the jaws before giving the injection. This makes the process virtually painless. Our oral surgeon then administers a long-acting local anesthetic to keep the area fully numb throughout the procedure.
●Sedation Anesthesia:
This is the most popular choice among parents for their teens. With IV sedation, your child will feel as if the procedure only lasted a few seconds—and they typically won’t remember any of it. Sedation is administered through a small IV placed in the arm, helping the entire experience feel relaxed and stress-free.
●Post surgery pain management:
Dr. Saltman will provide pain relief options after surgery. Many parents choose Exparel®, a long-acting anesthetic injected at the surgical site. It provides effective pain control for up to 72 hours — often reducing or eliminating the need for prescription pain medication.
Recovery: What Parents Should Know
Most teens recover from wisdom tooth extraction within 3–5 days, though full healing of the extraction site can take a couple of weeks. In the first 24–48 hours, plan for:
Soft foods only (smoothies, yogurt, mashed potatoes, soup)
Rest, with the head slightly elevated to reduce swelling
Ice packs in 20-minute intervals to manage swelling
Avoiding straws, which can dislodge the healing blood clot and lead to a painful condition called dry socket
Most teens can return to school within 2–3 days, though contact sports and strenuous activity should typically wait 1–2 weeks — Dr. Saltman will give specific guidance based on your child's procedure.
Meet Your Child's Oral Surgeon
Wisdom tooth extractions at Beverly Pediatric Dentistry are performed in partnership with Dr. Zach Saltman, a board-certified oral & maxillofacial surgeon who completed his surgical residency as Chief Resident at Georgetown/MedStar Washington Hospital Center. Dr. Saltman brings a calm, approachable chairside manner — appreciated by anxious teens and their parents alike — to every procedure.
If you're wondering whether it's time to schedule a wisdom teeth evaluation for your teen, our team is happy to help guide you through the next steps.
