What Makes Summer a Good Time for Wisdom Teeth Extraction?

Summertime. Bathing suits, sunglasses, outdoor activities, and wisdom teeth extractions. Wait… what!? Yes, it's actually the most popular time of the year to extract those wisdom teeth in Plano.

If you or your child is experiencing crowded teeth or pain from wisdom teeth that are impacted or growing in the wrong way, it's time to schedule an appointment with an oral surgeon. Look at it this way, wisdom teeth extraction is another reason to indulge in some delectable ice cream!

Why Is It Necessary to Remove Wisdom Teeth?

Summer is Wisdom Teeth Removal Season for a Reason

Wisdom teeth can be mouth bullies, growing in awkwardly, pushing other teeth around, and offering bacteria and plaque some breeding grounds. Wisdom teeth may need to be removed for a variety of reasons, including pain, infection, or growth issues. While wisdom teeth extraction is not required for everyone, it can cause problems if left untreated.

Summer is the best time to undertake wisdom teeth surgery for a number of reasons:

1. Extended Time for Healing

During the operation and recovery, no academic study time is lost thanks to summer vacation. If problems and difficulties occur, which are rare, this allows patients more time for recovery.

2. Cold and Soft Diet All Season

Throughout the summer, popsicles, ice cream, frozen yogurt, smoothies, milkshakes, and other cool treats are popular. Oral surgery recovery needs a lot of soft, easy-to-eat foods. But do not forget to eat low-sugar foods and to refrain from using straws!

3. No Sports and Sitting on The Sideline

For your teens or those devoted athletes, avoid the frustration of watching from the sidelines. Recovery following wisdom teeth extraction might take up to a week or two. For the first 72 hours after surgery, we recommend that our patients undertake little to no activity. The recovery time for each patient varies, so prepare ahead!

When Should You Have Your Wisdom Teeth Extracted?

Wisdom teeth extraction may be required if you suffer changes in the region of your wisdom teeth, such as the following:

1. If you have a tooth that is unable to break through the gum, or a tooth growing sideways, partially emerging from the gum.
2. If you have pain or pressure from your wisdom teeth breaking through the gums and rubbing against other teeth.
3. If your wisdom teeth are infected, bad breath, swelling, redness, and pain in the gums can be signs of "pericoronitis." It has the potential to spread to the cheeks and neck if left untreated.
4. If you have cysts, tumors, or damage to neighboring teeth developing around a wisdom tooth.
5. If your wisdom tooth or the tooth next to it has a cavity. This type of dental decay is extremely difficult for your dentist to diagnose and treat, and wisdom tooth extraction is frequently required. 

Post-Operative Care

Impacted tooth extractions are a major surgical procedure. The importance of post-operative care cannot be overstated. Unnecessary pain, as well as infection and swelling complications, can be avoided if the instructions are carefully followed.

1. After surgery, do not rinse or spit for 24 hours.
2. Keep your fingers and tongue away from the surgical area or the socket.
3. For the first 48 hours, apply ice packs to the surgical area (side of the face); apply ice 20 minutes on, 10 minutes off. 
4. Take Tylenol® or ibuprofen every three to four hours for mild discomfort. Use the medication prescribed to you if you are in a lot of pain.
5. Drink a lot of water. However, avoid using a straw. 
6. Refrain from smoking.
7. After surgery, avoid strenuous activity and don't exercise for at least three to four days.
8. For the first week after surgery, use a warm saltwater rinse after each meal to flush out any food particles or debris that may have lodged in the surgical area.
9. Soft, easily digestible foods and cool beverages should make up the majority of your diet.
10. Anything that could get stuck in your teeth should be avoided, such as seeds, nuts, rice, popcorn, and similar foods.

Need to Extract Your Wisdom Teeth in Plano?

It is essential to understand that wisdom teeth extractions are and can be a necessary procedure if it’s indeed required. If you are nervous about getting your wisdom teeth extracted, your dentist is your best resource. 

Call us or make an appointment online to talk about any specific concerns. Having your tooth extracted can feel like a dreaded task, but you aren’t the first person to do it, so we at Texas Oral Surgery Group have time-tested advice to help you get through it. Contact us today!