Many people feel anxious about having their wisdom teeth extracted and want to ‘wait for the right time’ to schedule the procedure. Although it’s wise to plan ahead, if you procrastinate too long, your latest molars could hurt your dental health. They can get trapped beneath your gumline and become infected or shove neighboring pearly whites out of alignment as they push through. It’s better to take them out before they have a chance to cause problems.
Fortunately for you, summertime is ideal for having your wisdom teeth removed. Continue reading to learn 3 good reasons why!
Reason #1: Flexible Schedules
Your wisdom teeth typically arrive in your late teens or early twenties and are often considered a rite of passage for young adults as they grow older. As a result, many people have them taken out while they’re still in high school. With no classes during summer break, you or your child can undergo the procedure without having to worry about missing classes to recover. Plus, there’s no need to follow up with doctors’ notes and excused absences.
Work employees tend to enjoy more relaxed routines this time of year, too, so no one will miss you if you need to schedule a few days out of the office for your surgery.
Reason #2: You Can Relax
After your appointment, it’s imperative to give your body the rest it needs to fully recover. Your mouth will form a blood clot over the extraction site to protect the underlying nerves and bone tissue that were exposed. If it is damaged or dislodged, you could develop a painful complication known as dry socket.
To prevent this, you should avoid strenuous activities or exercise that can elevate your heart rate or blood pressure. Instead, you’ll need to spend time relaxing so that your mouth can mend itself. Fortunately, the long, warm days of summer are perfect for kicking back by the pool or binging your latest Netflix favorite at home in the a/c.
Reason #3: Sweet Treats
Although you’ll be numbed or sedated for your procedure, it’s natural to feel mildly achy in the days that follow. Overly hard, hot, spicy, or crunchy foods can dislodge your blood clot or irritate sensitive gums. You should stick to a diet of soft foods that are easy to swallow to ensure that you don’t interrupt the healing process. Thankfully, there are plenty of delicious options available during these warmer months. Popular choices include ice cream, blended fresh fruit smoothies, and frozen yogurt.
As you can see, there are many reasons that summer is the perfect time to undergo your wisdom tooth extraction!
About the Author
Dr. Jeff Lee has decades of experience helping people build happy, healthy smiles. He attended dental school at The Ohio State University College of Dentistry. Then he completed a four-year residency in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, so if you need a complex procedure, you know you’re in good hands. He combines his specialized training with state-of-the-art equipment to enhance patient comfort and increase result accuracy. If you need a wisdom tooth removed, you can request an appointment on the website or call (740) 432-8768.