University Dental Group Blog

The sun is shining and the temperatures are rising, which means summer is here! It’s the best time of year to relax by the pool, enjoy your favorite summertime snacks, and… have your wisdom teeth removed? Having your third molars extracted may not be the first thing on your summer to-do list, but it’s the best time of year to get this important procedure out of the way. In fact, removing your wisdom teeth this summer can potentially save you a lot of time, money, and discomfort in the future, even if they’re not bothering you yet! Read on as we go over why summer is the best time to have your wisdom teeth removed.

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Summer Is Tooth Extraction Season

You’re probably not thrilled by the idea of spending some of your precious summer vacation on having your wisdom teeth removed. However, there are plenty of good reasons why summertime is the best season for tooth extractions of any kind, like:

• The sooner your tooth is extracted, the better: Just because your wisdom teeth don’t hurt now doesn’t mean that will always be the case. Most people don’t have room to accommodate these third molars, and when they try to come in, they can push against the surrounding teeth and damage them, or even become stuck in the jaw and infected! The earlier you have problematic wisdom teeth removed, the better off you’ll be.
• Summer means a more flexible and open schedule: Now that you’re enjoying time off from school, clubs, and extracurricular activities, it’ll be easier for you to schedule your procedure. You won’t have to take time off from school or catch up on homework as you recover.
• Summertime makes tooth extraction recovery a breeze: After your tooth extraction, you’ll need to rest for a few days. During summer, you can relax comfortably at home, by the pool, or at the beach instead of in class or at work.

The Best Ways to Enjoy Summer While Recovering

Just because summer is the best time to have your wisdom teeth extracted doesn’t mean that you have to be excited for your upcoming procedure. However, you don’t have to dread it either! You can take full advantage of some of your favorite summertime activities while you recover, like:

• Enjoy soft summertime snacks: Cold, soft foods are in abundance during summer, and they’re the ideal food type for recovering from wisdom tooth extractions! While you should still make sure you’re not eating too many sugary treats, now is the perfect time to enjoy ice cream, milkshakes, smoothies, popsicles, jello, and chilled applesauce.
• Stay cool and hydrated: Drinking water is always important, but it’s especially important to stay hydrated during the hot summer months. What’s more, drinking water will help keep your extraction site clean and free of infection!
• Enjoy some rest and relaxation: You should refrain from strenuous activity for at least a few days after your wisdom tooth extractions. It’s the perfect time to sit back and relax in the pool, in your backyard, at the beach, while watching your favorite movie, or with a good book.

Remember, if your dentist has recommended that your wisdom teeth be extracted, it’s because they suspect that these teeth could cause you problems in the future. Keep that sunny smile happy and healthy by getting your wisdom teeth extracted this summer.

About the Practice

At University Dental Group, we strive to make oral health care as easy and pleasant as possible for the families of Worcester and the surrounding communities. Whether you need a simple checkup and cleaning or a more complex procedure like wisdom tooth removal, we do everything we can to make it a pleasant experience. With a team of experienced dentists, the latest dental technology, and weekend availability, it’s never been easier to get a healthy smile. To learn more about wisdom tooth extractions or schedule yours, we can be reached online or at (508) 960-6495.

Has it been a few months, or perhaps even a year or two, since you last visited your dentist? Maybe you’ve been putting off your next dental checkup because of finances, time constraints, dental anxiety, or the COVID-19 pandemic. Whatever the reason, it’s time to get your oral health back on track and schedule your next appointment! Your dentist won’t be interested in judging you or making you feel guilty. They just want to help you achieve the happy, healthy smile you deserve! If it’s been a while since your last dental checkup, read on to discover what you can expect.

Gum disease is a bacterial infection in the gums, and it’s an incredibly common problem. In fact, recent studies suggest that well over half of the US population has some form of gum disease, whether that be the earliest phases (gingivitis) or the more advanced stages (periodontitis). Not only does this common oral health condition cause swollen gums, bad breath, and an unhealthy mouth, but it’s the leading cause of tooth loss in the US! One of the first signs of gum disease is gum recession, where the gums pull away from the teeth. Read on to learn more about spotting gum recession and whether your gums can grow back after it has occurred.

Candy, sweets, and sugary treats are notorious for causing cavities. The processed sugars they contain fuel plaque and bacteria in your mouth, which in turn creates an acid that burns through the enamel on your teeth if not brushed away. However, even if you have a candy-free diet, you could still end up with tooth decay! Here are five surprising foods and drinks you may not have known can cause cavities.

The cold winter months are on their way out and plants are beginning to bloom, so you know what that means — it’s spring cleaning time! It’s a refreshing and exciting time of year where many of us get rid of old things we don’t need any more and clean up our living spaces. As you make your spring cleaning checklist, don’t forget about your pearly whites. Now is the perfect opportunity to ensure you’re doing everything you can to keep your smile strong and sparkling. Here are five easy but effective spring cleaning tips for your oral health!

Thanks to modern dental materials and technology, dentures are now more comfortable, lifelike and durable than ever before! However, they’re not indestructible. If you accidentally drop them on a hard bathroom counter or bite down on a tough snack, you may find yourself with a broken denture. Just like with a broken tooth, damaged dentures are considered a dental emergency that needs to be treated right away to keep your smile healthy! Here’s how to handle a broken denture.

While looks certainly aren’t everything, we live in a society where our appearance dramatically impacts how others perceive our character, especially when it comes to dating. Now that much of the dating scene has moved online because of the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s more important than ever to be able to make a great first impression. So what can you do to stand out in an endless carousel of profile pictures on dating sites or apps? Recent research suggests that the answer could be as easy as smiling! Read on as your local Worcester cosmetic dentist breaks down how the appearance of your pearly whites impacts your dating life and how you can achieve a smile that earns you more matches!

While there are plenty of reasons to look forward to winter, it can be challenging to stay healthy during this season. Many of us will be taking extra precautions to protect ourselves from dry skin and the common cold until the weather warms up. However, don’t forget that your smile needs extra attention this time of year as well! Winter poses a variety of problems for your oral health, many of which you have experienced before. Read on to discover the five most common winter mouth issues and a few tips for how to best keep them at bay!

Are you starting any New Year’s resolutions this January? Now is a popular time of year to set weight loss goals and start new healthy eating habits. Everyone knows that if your body mass index (BMI) is too high, shedding a few pounds can help you look and feel your best. However, did you know that it can improve your smile too? Here are three healthy New Year’s resolutions you can commit to this year that will help you lose weight while simultaneously giving your smile a boost.

The holidays are almost here—are you ready? As you bake cookies, look for the perfect gift, and set up video calls with your family, don’t forget about your oral health! While it may be tempting to put taking care of your teeth and gums on the backburner during this busy time of year, doing so will dramatically increase your risk of issues like cavities and gum disease. In fact, you may even end up finding yourself spending some quality time with your Worcester emergency dentist this holiday season! Here are five simple but effective tips for keeping a happy and healthy holiday smile.