Why Summertime is the Best Time for Wisdom Teeth Removal

For some people, wisdom teeth grow downward, break through the gums, and cause no pain or problems, therefore warranting no further action than cleaning and flossing as their counterparts do. But unfortunately, wisdom teeth can become the bullies of the mouth, growing in awkwardly, pushing other teeth around and becoming a breeding ground for bacteria and plaque. If you or your child has a problem with crowded teeth or pain due to wisdom teeth that are impacted or growing awry, it is likely time to visit an oral surgeon for an assessment.

Wisdom teeth removal is important, but not always urgent–the dentist and/or orthodontist and oral surgeon will determine the appropriate timeline for the patient. For patients (usually teens) who are also students, summer break is the best time to have the wisdom teeth surgery done for several reasons.

First, school is usually on break for the summer, meaning that academic learning time is not lost for the procedure and recovery. Should complications arise, which is uncommon, summer break gives an extended time for healing.

Also, the physical responses and healing requirements make summer the best time for wisdom teeth surgery. Any self-consciousness a school-aged patient may experience due to swelling and bruising on the face is kept to a minimum. In addition, dietary restrictions are easier to follow at home than when associating with friends who may be eating temporarily off-limit foods (such as chewy candy) or sucking beverages through straws (also prohibited for a few days).

Lastly, breathing cold air through the mouth during winter months can affect sensitive areas on the gum line, making summer time the best option for wisdom teeth removal surgery. A surgical area most likely will experience a certain degree of sensitivity, and this can cause extra discomfort for mouth-breathers during the recovery process, so limiting the sharpness of that sensitivity is ideal.

Wisdom teeth removal is most often an outpatient surgical procedure. It is done using one of the following types of anesthesia:

• Local anesthesia, where a numbing agent is injected around the site of the removal;
• Sedation anesthesia, where an IV is placed and the patient feels no pain and has limited consciousness of the procedure and is used in conjunction with a local numbing agent; or
• General anesthesia, where the patient loses consciousness and the medical team monitors the amount of medication administered, blood pressure, and breathing which may require an IV, inhaling through a face mask, or both.

The oral surgeon will pull the tooth if it is accessible, or if not, will open the gum in the affected area, remove a small portion of bone along with the tooth, clean the site, and stitch the wound.

A responsible driver is needed to accompany the patient, as driving is not allowed for a person who has been administered anesthesia. For a minimum of the remainder of the day, the patient will need to rest.

Recovery times vary from person to person, depending upon things such as pain tolerance, the number of teeth removed, and the procedure required for wisdom teeth removal. Any person having wisdom teeth extractions should plan on a few basic precautions, such as:

• Pain management via over-the-counter or prescription medications;
• Activity limitations for several days, avoiding anything strenuous;
• Diligence with proper cleaning; and
• Care with food and beverage intake.

Soreness, tenderness, minor muscle stiffness, and some bruising or swelling following the wisdom teeth removal procedure is to be expected, as is minor bleeding. Complications are not common, but the patient should be on the lookout for fever, swelling for more than a few days, oozing from the wound site, and a loss of feeling in or around the surgical area. If any concerns arise, contact the oral surgeon’s office for further instructions.

We at Peak OMS are committed to a patient-first philosophy, where the care and comfort of our patients is paramount. We invite you to take a virtual tour of our state-of-the-art clinic and contact us to schedule a consultative appointment with Dr. Haeman Noori and his team. The best time to schedule a wisdom teeth surgery is over the summer, and we have appointments available for your convenience. Our cutting-edge technology, along with our philanthropic mindset, are here to provide you with the most comfortable experience possible to meet your oral and maxillofacial surgery needs.