Does my teen really need their wisdom teeth out?

Many parents are surprised to hear their teen may need wisdom teeth removal before they have any pain or symptoms. In this episode of Boston Children’s Answers Parentcast, Dr. Jennifer Arnold talks with Dr. Bonnie Padwa about impacted wisdom teeth, when removal is recommended, and what families should expect before, during, and after oral surgery. In this episode, we discuss: • What are wisdom teeth, and why do teens have them? • Why do wisdom teeth become impacted? • Does every teen need wisdom teeth removal? • Why do wisdom teeth sometimes need to be removed even if they are not causing pain? • When do most teens have their wisdom teeth removed? • How long can families wait before scheduling wisdom teeth removal? • What happens during wisdom teeth surgery? • What is wisdom teeth recovery like for teens? • Are there situations where wisdom teeth do not need to be removed? If your family is trying to decide whether wisdom teeth removal is necessary, this episode offers practical guidance to help parents better understand the process and recovery.