DC is a rising sophomore. The dentist has been keeping an eye on the wisdom teeth for a few years now and says that, at this time, there is no reason to remove them. They have plenty of space, look good, and are actually coming in nicely.

My DS was told by his dentist to have a consultation over winter break and plan to have them out after freshman year of college.

Timing will depend on development of the individual's teeth. I had to get mine done on two separate trips because bottom wisdom teeth had to be removed ASAP (they were growing in wrong direction and would damage other teeth) but the top weren't developed enough to remove.

I did this between freshman and sophomore year of college

I did it Christmas vacation of my freshman year. Summer before would have been better.

Anonymous wrote:If they are impacted, yes, remove before they head to college (could be very unpleasant if they start having pain from impacted wisdom teeth while away from home).

If they are NOT impacted (look at the xrays!), and they want to remove them just because that is what is done, say no.

Mid-50s mom who still has all 4 wisdom teeth. One child now in college had all 4 removed, one in college still has all 4, one still in HS is tbd

I would have written this last year (as an early 50s mom) but the root to two of my non-impacted wisdom teeth calcified (they think due to just age-related changes in my mouth shape since there was no trauma, disease or decay) and damaged the tooth resulting in a lot of expensive dental work. Now I wish I could time travel and take them out when I was younger. Not sure how common this is though .

Anonymous wrote:We were told at age 16-17, roughly, because it’s apparently better for the positioning of the roots. I don’t remember the wording but it’s easier at this age than later. Our kid did it sophomore year of high school.

Will add based on subsequent comments that these were impacted teeth

Very common! My kid (rising college freshman) had hers done 2 wks ago. Another friend's kid (also rising college freshman) is having his done next week. At the oral surgeon's office recovery room, it's another 16-18 yr old coming through every 20 minutes.

Yes, summer before college. It was pretty smooth! Glad to have it out of the way.

If they are impacted, yes, remove before they head to college (could be very unpleasant if they start having pain from impacted wisdom teeth while away from home).

If they are NOT impacted (look at the xrays!), and they want to remove them just because that is what is done, say no.

Mid-50s mom who still has all 4 wisdom teeth. One child now in college had all 4 removed, one in college still has all 4, one still in HS is tbd

We were told at age 16-17, roughly, because it’s apparently better for the positioning of the roots. I don’t remember the wording but it’s easier at this age than later. Our kid did it sophomore year of high school.

I had mine done end of senior year, I think, for that exact reason. After AP exams but before local finals (where were a joke).

Yes, do it now

My oldest had his wisdom teeth removed spring break of senior year in high school. Middle child had his removed summer between high school and collage. Youngest is a rising senior. When we asked the dentist last year, he said it was too soon to remove his wisdom teeth. I am guessing he will need them removed sometime in 2023. My wisdom teeth were removed fall of my freshman year of college.

Our dentist is advising to remove them before attending college, but is that the norm?