Why Summer Is the Best Time To Get Wisdom Teeth Removed

Getting your wisdom teeth removed is a very common procedure to have done, especially for those in their late teens or early twenties. Wisdom teeth, or third molars, are the teeth found at the very back of your mouth. You may not even see them, because oftentimes they haven’t erupted yet. When they do begin to erupt, they may not have enough room. This can lead to painful symptoms, including tender gums, jaw pain, bleeding gums, and difficulty opening your mouth. 

Typically, your general dentist will recommend having your wisdom teeth removed before these symptoms begin,  and will refer you to an oral surgeon at one of our practices to prevent you from having to experience them. Given the recovery time for surgery, it may be difficult to find a time during the year to schedule the procedure. This is why the Summer time is a popular time for scheduling wisdom teeth surgeries. 

Taking Advantage of Summer Break 

The typical age for wisdom tooth removal is early twenties, during which a lot of patients are attending school. For these students, with the month of May comes summer break. Being home from school makes for the perfect opportunity to schedule your wisdom teeth surgery. Recovery can take anywhere from four days to two weeks, meaning you’ll be glued to the couch for a while.

What To Expect During Recovery

During recovery, you are only able to eat soft foods like mashed potatoes and applesauce, and you may need to take antibiotics. In addition, keeping the areas clean is crucial to prevent any infection from forming. Resting and staying off your feet is the most important, because going back to regular life too soon can put you at risk for things such as dry socket, which happens when a blood clot dislodges or doesn’t form at all. Dry sockets can delay the healing process and cause you to be couch ridden for longer than necessary. 

Overall, in order to properly heal from your surgery, it’s important to follow all post-op instructions given by your surgeon. It’s also just as important to give yourself enough time to recover! Being home for summer break is the perfect opportunity to schedule your surgery, camp out on the couch for the next two weeks while you recover, and eat all the mashed potatoes you can until you can’t stand them anymore!

If you suspect your wisdom teeth are causing you problems, please contact your general dentist for a referral to our office or schedule a consultation directly with one of our offices here.

The Wisdom Behind Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth, or third molar management, is one of the most common issues that the Oral and Facial Surgery Group deals with on a daily basis. Knowing what wisdom teeth are and how to manage them can prevent problems for both adolescents and adults. Treatments can vary based on age and typically are managed with surgery for removal or observed for development of disease.

Wisdom teeth are the third molars in the very back of your mouth. Often times, people end up needing to have them removed due to pain and discomfort that they begin to cause them. This can be due to:

• Wisdom teeth becoming trapped (impacted) within your jaw: this could potentially result in infection or can cause a cyst that can damage other teeth roots or bone support.
• Emerge partially through the gums: since this area is hard to see and clean, wisdom teeth that partially emerge create a passageway that can become a magnet for bacteria that cause gum disease and oral infection.
• Crowding nearby teeth: if wisdom teeth don’t have enough room to come in properly, they may crowd or damage nearby teeth.

Wisdom Teeth In Younger Patients

Getting a consultation for your wisdom teeth by the age of 16 is encouraged regardless if you’re experiencing pain or not, to ensure that you get a headstart on potential treatment. The recommended time to have third molars removed is during early adulthood before the roots and bone are fully formed, and when recovery is generally faster after surgery. Having the surgery when an individual is in their twenties can help with the healing process, and it’s a lot less disruptive for the patient’s overall routine. 

Wisdom Teeth In Older Patients

Older patients who have impacted wisdom teeth that aren’t fully erupted or may not even be visible at all don’t automatically get referred for surgery. If radiographs show that there is no evidence of disease, then some molars can be maintained in place. Although if they begin to experience pain, decay, or gum disease, then it is recommended to have a consultation with your oral surgeon to evaluate the risks and benefits of having them removed. 

If you suspect your wisdom teeth are causing you problems, please contact your general dentist for a referral to our office or schedule a consultation directly with one of our offices here.