February 18, 2025

Wisdom Teeth Extraction for Teens – A Parent’s Guide 

The wisdom teeth, also called third molars, come in at the end of the teen years or the beginning of the twenties. Because people in Colorado are so busy, having problems with your wisdom teeth can be terrible.

Some teeth come in without any problems, but others get stuck, which can hurt, infect, damage nearby teeth, and make it hard to eat. So, getting your wisdom teeth taken out is very important to avoid more problems.

The goal of this article is to help parents who are planning to have their teens’ wisdom teeth taken out. Schedule an appointment with a dentist to learn more about wisdom tooth extraction in South Denver

Early consultation is important.

The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS) says that teens should see an oral surgeon about their wisdom teeth between the ages of 16 and 18.  A full X-ray can show where your teen’s wisdom teeth are and how they are growing, even if they are not giving them any instant problems.  

Early evaluation lets the oral surgeon see any possible issues and make plans for future extractions if needed.  This proactive method can help keep problems from happening and make sure the surgery goes more smoothly when it is time. 

How to tell if your wisdom teeth are impacted. 

Wisdom teeth can hurt, swell, turn red, make it hard to eat or open your mouth, and give your mouth a bad smell. The level of pain can vary from being dull to being very sharp. The gums may turn red, and the swelling may spread to the mouth or face. 

Wisdom teeth that are impacted can push other teeth out of place, making it hard to chew or open your mouth wide. If food gets stuck around your wisdom teeth, it can give you bad breath or a metal taste that lasts for a long time. If these things happen, your kid needs to see an oral surgeon right away to figure out the best way to treat it. 

Planning to have wisdom teeth taken out.

The oral surgeon will talk about the best way to treat you for wisdom teeth removal after a full exam and X-ray. As well as the type of sedation used, the treatment itself, and the care given afterward. It is important to talk about any worries and ask questions. 

Because their roots have not fully grown yet, wisdom teeth are usually taken out between the ages of 17 and 24. What kind of sedation is used depends on how nervous the teen is and how hard the extraction is. 

During recovery, there may be pain, swelling, and blood, but the surgeon will give you clear advice on how to deal with the pain, reduce the swelling, and take care of the area.