<p>At first I thought this was too off topic, but then I decided it wasn't. </p>
<p>How did you all schedule wisdom teeth extraction, if you did? I don't see any 2 week holes in the schedule for the procedure and its aftermath....?? It's been recommended that my D get hers out pretty soon, before they grow any more.</p>
<p>Get it done this summer. It really isn't such a bad recovery after a day or two. We got both of my sons' wisdon teeth out when they were 16 at the recommendation of the dentist. I think the recovery is worse the longer you wait and the more the teeth mature.</p>
<p>However you manage it, I think it's a good idea for your daughter to have this procedure done soon--and definitely before she graduates from college. Same for any other "elective" surgery, such as a tonsillectomy. As difficult as it is to schedule these things now, it's so much harder once the child is on his or her own, possibly without health insurance.</p>
<p>DS had his wisdom teeth pulled during his freshman year of college...on December 21 (first day of the holiday break). He was home until January 15 that year...so that gave him a good long time here. It was the only time that he didn't "need" his mouth, although as a music major, it did make preparing for his auditions for summer programs a bit dicey. We did the consult with the oral surgeon the Wednesday afternoon of Thanksgiving weekend. We made the extraction appointment at tje same time we made the consult appointment (I will tell you that LOTS of college students have their wisdom teeth pulled during the winter break) with the idea the if miraculously DS did not need the extraction, we would just cancel the app.</p>
<p>We did our child's over a four-day school weekend -- President's Day. See if you can find that sort of space in your school calendar, or get it over with in the summer.</p>
<p>I got my wisdom teeth taken out last year, and the scheduling wasn't much of a problem (had it done on Friday and was back in school Monday), however... my voice teacher told me that because of the strain it puts on your jaw/ facial muscles, it's best to refrain from singing for a few weeks after surgery (no pun intended) :-). Thought I'd share the info!</p>
<p>~Alexa</p>
<p>I'm a dentist and have had hundreds of patients go through this. Generally activities can be resumed on the third day, so if you schedule Friday, will usually be OK by Monday. Best to be done before they go off to college!</p>
<p>Great question! We are dealing with this right now. Audiophile, how long before a brass player can resume intensive practicing / performing after an extraction?</p>
<p>binx,
I'm sorry I can't answer that one. I do know if the teeth were near the maxillary sinus, the surgeon would not want the patient to do any blowing for a few days at least. Best to ask the surgeon that question after he's evaluated the x-rays.</p>
<p>DS (a trumpet player) was told he could not play at ALL until after his stitches were removed (a week after his teeth were pulled). Even after that, it was about three weeks before he felt comfortable with all the pressure created when playing his instrument.</p>
<p>The roots of the upper teeth approach an area of a sinus cavity. Therefore it is NOT advisible to be applying air pressure through the mouth after the surgery - esp. such as playing a trumpet or other wind & brass instruments. Also, there is a small chance of a complication called "dry socket" (has nothing to do w/ playing instruments, everyone is prone to this). Ask your surgeon about it. If this appears, it is likely before the 9th or 10th day after surgery. But ask your surgeon about the trumpet playing. The 3 days mentioned might be reasonable to return to school or work (but not playing or singing IMO).</p>
<p>I agree w/the 3 wk for the trumpet players. Son's were removed mid June after Jr yr HS. He marched in 4th of July parade with no problems but did not play at his best. He did have difficulty eating for the first week-even soft food.</p>
<p>You know funny you should ask cus D. may have to have that done this summer also. Is that considered a medical or dental expense?</p>
<p>Whether medical or dental depends on your insurance.</p>
<p>Chris, have been through this once so far. You don't need a two week period for this. I know every person's experience or recovery is different but I think you need a maximum of five days carved out of the schedule that is "unscheduled". My older D, did it last summer at age 17 1/2, prior to entering college. She scheduled it for a Friday and told her summer job that she would not be able to come back to work until the following Wednesday, meaning five days off (but had a weekend with it). As it turns out, she really only needed one day following the surgery to recover. She started to feel quite good about 24 hours later. I realize it differs for people. But on that Saturday night, she actually went to a sleepover party. I think she went back to work on that Tuesday. She truly could have on the Monday (3 days later) but since she had arranged the time off, and she normally is so scheduled up, we used the day to shop for all her college dorm room linens and other things for her 18th birthday and had a really nice day. The whole wisdom teeth thing was not as bad as we had anticipated. So, I think the doctor will tell you that you might be able to go back to regular stuff in 3-5 days depending how it goes. </p>
<p>My second daughter has not had to do this yet and is going to college in the fall but I guess we have a little more to go because she is still 16 and it seems like it was VERY VERY common amongst my older D's peers around the time they were 18 and entering college. If your D has any break this summer and can arrange it in advance with whatever stuff she is involved in, it is a good time. Others use XMas break or something like that as an option too. </p>
<p>Susan</p>
<p>I've had 2 S have their wisdom teeth out. S1 had no problem, was eating that night, and played saxophone one week later. Also was told not to drink from a straw because of the suction.</p>
<p>S2, however, was a completely different story. He had a severe reaction to the anesthesia and vomited for six hours or more. They had him on the drug they give cancer patients and we couldn't get it to stop. We ended up sleeping on couches for several days as he had a long recovery.</p>
<p>I only relate this because I had assumed since S1 had no problem, S2 would breeze through as well....don't know why as both kids are so different from each other ;)</p>
<p>How funny that we're all going through this at the same time - I'm getting mine done just a few weeks before I go off to college - i'm worried about auditions for the first production, but I have to have it done at that point, it's the only place it fits into my schedule. I can't wait any longer because I've already encountered an infection and once you've had a gum infection from your wisdom teeth, you're bound to get another according to my dentist and my research. I would rather muddle through the audition than get painful gum infections all year which actually, also hinder my singing and require doctor visits (at least in the case of this first one).</p>
<p>Susan,</p>
<p>Our dentist said that the extraction is easier the earlier it happens. He suggested we were a bit late for my MT daughter (just turned 18) and thought we should think about it for my just turned 16 yr old. Much earlier than I had it done, but I guess they suggest doing it earlier now. Just FYI.</p>
<p>Chrism</p>
<p>Thanks Chris. They do it earlier I think than they used to and almost preventatively. It seems like all the kids get it done whether or not it looks as if there will be problems. I think my D had them out before they had even come through yet. She was shy of 18 last summer. My guess is that is what will be with the next kid...like next summer she'd be shy of 18. I recall when she was last at the dentist their saying maybe they'd be checking on this next year. I think this is kinda a typical age from what I can tell...senior year. Also she got her braces on slightly later than other kids (it felt later to her even more because she is ahead of her age in school and so she forgets she is truly younger than everyone else so it was like....I better get these off before tenth grade but she got them off on her 15th birthday which is not that late but she was already in tenth and lots of kids are done by then). So, I appreciate what your dentist said but I guess this one did not say to do it right now but my guess is that next year, this will come up while she is 17. She'll be in college already so who knows how we'd schedule it. The kid has had oral surgery once already in her life and now this year was through so much with her accident (which included surgery too, just not oral but much bigger of course). So, it is hard for me to even think about wisdom teeth in the bigger picture of things at the moment! Her big thing this week is to possibly be weaned off crutches for prom in five days. Priorities, ya know....</p>
<p>Susan</p>
<p>luckily mine don't need to be removed, there's just enough room for all 4! I'm glad cause when my sister got hers removed her healing process took longer than what most people are posting here.</p>