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OMS Inverness, Dr. Yedah Ying — A reassuring follow-up between patient and care team in Birmingham. (Jacob Blankenship / Bham Now)

Wisdom teeth are one of those “it’s time” moments for teens—and parents, too. If your kiddo needs theirs removed soon, like mine does, you probably have some real questions. We definitely did, so we asked Dr. Ponto, MD, DDS at Oral Surgery Clinic at UAB Medicine Inverness to walk us through what to expect.

One thing we learned: The best time to schedule wisdom teeth removal is during summer when school’s out and recovery is a little easier to manage. So if it’s on your radar, it’s worth getting ahead of it now.

Read on for the real-life rundown, from surgery day to recovery and beyond.

When should wisdom teeth be removed?

OMS Inverness — Some of the friendly faces behind your oral surgery care at UAB Medicine Inverness. (Jacob Blankenship / Bham Now)

This was my first question, and it may be yours, too.

“The ideal age is usually between 15–18, when the roots are about two-thirds developed. This time frame makes removal easier and recovery smoother.”
Dr. Ponto, MD, DDS, Oral Surgery Clinic at UAB Medicine Inverness

As a parent, this is exactly what you want to hear.

“Even if your teen hasn’t complained about pain or pressure, it’s still worth getting an evaluation. A lot of teens just don’t have room for wisdom teeth, and problems have a way of popping up later.”
Dr. Ponto, MD, DDS, Oral Surgery Clinic at UAB Medicine Inverness

What happens the day of surgery?

Surgery day is the part I’m most curious (and maybe a little nervous) about. The good news: The procedure itself is fairly quick, usually 20 to 30 minutes. But you should expect to be there closer to 1.5 to 2 hours.

This includes prep time and letting your teen wake up safely before heading home.

“Your teen will be fully asleep with IV sedation using medications like midazolam or propofol. Once they’re out, the surgeon numbs the area to keep everything comfortable.

When they wake up, expect some grogginess and a little confusion. And yes, there may be some funny loopy comments.”
Dr. Ponto, MD, DDS, Oral Surgery Clinic at UAB Medicine Inverness

Is anesthesia safe?

OMS Inverness/Hoover — Here’s what your teen’s wisdom teeth might look like via X-ray. (Ben Johnson / Bham Now)

For many parents, this is likely the most important question of all.

Dr. Ponto explained that complications from anesthesia are rare, and the team at Oral Surgery Clinic at UAB Medicine Inverness is trained to handle everything from nausea to more serious reactions.

“Most teens wake up sleepy, maybe a little disoriented, and are back home resting shortly after.”
Dr. Ponto, MD, DDS, Oral Surgery Clinic at UAB Medicine Inverness

Important to know: The doctors at the Oral Surgery Clinic at UAB Medicine Inverness all have medical degrees (in addition to dental training). This means they have advanced training in all areas, including anesthesia.

What does recovery look like?

From a parent’s point of view, this is where clarity really matters.

Here’s a general timeline of your teen’s recovery time:

Day 1: Rest, gauze + lots of couch time
Day 2–3: Swelling peaks (may have “chipmunk cheeks”)
Day 3–5: Big improvements
By 1 week: Back to normal activities + routines

What to eat (and avoid) after wisdom tooth surgery

Bendy's Cookies and Cream, Ice Cream — Local ice cream wins after wisdom tooth removal—just keep it smooth and skip anything hard, crunchy or with sprinkles. (Patience Itson / Bham Now)

If your teen is like mine, snacks are always top of mind. So we asked Dr. Ponto what foods you should have ready for those first few days post-op. Here’s what he suggested:

Applesauce
Scrambled eggs
Smoothies (spoon only—no straws!)
Soup (cooled)
Yogurt

Foods to avoid: Anything crunchy or spicy.

Here are some local options for soups and cold treats.

Here are a few additional tips to keep in mind:

Your teen needs to fast before surgery (no late-night snacks!)
Clear liquids are usually okay up to a couple hours before surgery
They’ll need a ride home + supervision afterward
Gentle brushing + rinsing help with healing

And, if anything feels off, like unusual pain or fever, it’s always best to call your provider. The team at Oral Surgery Clinic at UAB Inverness are available 24/7 for all of your questions and concerns, so don’t hesitate to reach out.

The best time to schedule wisdom teeth extractions

Between school, sports and everything else, it’s easy to push appointments to the back burner, but summer really is the best time to get your teen’s wisdom teeth removed. While they will likely complain (but hey, when don’t they?), having the procedure done when school is out means more time to recover without missing anything important.

If wisdom teeth are on your family’s radar, now is the perfect time to act. Reach out to a local expert like Dr. Ponto and book your consultation before summer schedules fill up.

Learn more about Oral Surgery Clinic at UAB Medicine Inverness + schedule an appointment now.

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