School’s Out and Your Wisdom Teeth Should Be Too

School, sports, and homework fill the calendar during the school year, leaving little time for necessary dental care. Summer vacation, however, presents the perfect opportunity to schedule wisdom teeth removal. When the procedure is scheduled over summer break, patients recover with ease, without worrying about missed school or having to go back to class when they still don’t feel great. If it’s time for your child – or even you – to have your wisdom teeth removed, call and schedule a consultation at Hill Country Oral Surgery.

At What Age Should Wisdom Teeth be Extracted?

Wisdom tooth removal is a common rite of passage for high school students. We typically recommend patients consult with their dentist or oral surgeon early to determine when and if removal is needed. The average patient will need to have these third molars extracted sometime between the ages of 15-20. Since the late teens and early 20s are an important time for education, it can be challenging to fit wisdom tooth removal in during the school year.

If you haven’t spoken to your dentist about your wisdom teeth, see us. A careful examination and a series of X-rays can help us get a better idea of how third molars are positioned and in what direction they are moving.

Downtime after Wisdom Tooth Removal: What to Expect

Should you schedule your child’s wisdom tooth removal this summer or wait until the school year starts again? Summer is a convenient time for many of our patients, but since downtime is minimal, this procedure can be performed throughout the school year as well. Recovery timelines vary depending on the complexity of your extraction.

Most patients require at least three days of downtime. During this initial period, prescription pain medication may be needed to manage discomfort. We don’t recommend going to school or work during this time. To reduce time off, many patients schedule their procedures for the end of the week and use the weekend as part of their recovery period.

High school and college sports can complicate wisdom tooth removal. Most patients need at least a week off from strenuous physical activities. You may be sore for the first week or two after surgery. This shouldn’t interfere with your daily activities, like school, but heavy exercise should be avoided until you’re cleared to resume more strenuous activities. Try to schedule your procedure around important sporting events or seasons. Many of our student-athletes have summers off and can get their wisdom teeth removed without missing critical events.

Don’t Wait for Extraction!

The teenage years are busy, but that shouldn’t mean putting-off important procedures like wisdom tooth removal. If you’ve been told you need your wisdom teeth out, schedule your procedure this summer. Waiting to remove your wisdom teeth can lead to oral health complications like:

  • Tooth Decay – Wisdom teeth can be difficult to keep clean. This can lead to changes in the bacterial balance in the mouth. Keeping your wisdom teeth in when they need to come out can lead to cavities and decay that affect your other teeth too.
  • Changes to Alignment – If there isn’t room for your wisdom teeth in the jaw, they’ll push and squeeze to make a space. This can cause your other teeth to shift, changing dental alignment and crowding other teeth.
  • Infection – Impacted or partially erupted wisdom teeth can become infected as bacteria collect around soft tissue. If infection sets in, you may experience severe pain and potentially dangerous health complications.
  • Difficult Removal Later – Wisdom teeth can be more difficult to remove later in life and the risk of complications increases, especially for older adults. If your teeth are going to cause problems later, it is often best to remove them sooner.

If you or your child need your wisdom teeth out, don’t delay this important procedure. Call Hill Country Oral Surgery in Austin, TX to determine if this procedure is necessary and when.

Do You Need Wisdom Tooth Removal This Summer?

Summer goes by so quickly. If your child needs tooth extraction this year, call us today and schedule your consultation. We’ll explain options for wisdom tooth extraction and help you plan for the surgery and recovery period. Many of our wisdom tooth extraction patients are teenagers, and we welcome questions from both parent and patient throughout the process. Call today and your wisdom teeth out while school is out.