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Every August, I notice something familiar in the rhythm of our community — families squeezing in last-minute appointments before the school year begins, college students heading back to NAU, and parents finally addressing those dental concerns they’ve been putting off all summer. As an oral and maxillofacial surgeon serving the Flagstaff area, this time of year reminds me just how interconnected oral health is with the bigger transitions in our lives. Back-to-school season is genuinely one of the best times to take stock of what’s happening in your mouth — and to act before a busy fall schedule makes it harder to find the time.

Wisdom teeth are very much on my mind this month. For teenagers and young adults in the Flagstaff community, the late summer window is ideal for wisdom tooth evaluations and, when necessary, extractions. Recovery time aligns well with the tail end of summer break, allowing students to heal comfortably at home before returning to school or campus. If your son or daughter has been experiencing jaw discomfort, crowding, or intermittent swelling in the back of the mouth, those are signs worth evaluating sooner rather than later. Wisdom teeth that are impacted or growing at an angle don’t tend to improve on their own — they generally become more complex over time.

Summer in Flagstaff also brings outdoor adventure, sports activities, and increased physical activity for people of all ages. That means a higher risk of dental injuries from cycling, hiking falls, contact sports, and recreational activities in and around the area. A knocked-out or fractured tooth is a true dental emergency, and I want every family in Flagstaff to know that prompt care — ideally within an hour of an injury — can make a significant difference in outcomes. If something happens, please don’t wait and hope it resolves. Call us right away.

This time of year, I also encourage families to stay mindful of hydration and diet. Summer means more sugary sports drinks, sodas, and frozen treats — all of which can contribute to enamel erosion and cavity formation. Drinking plenty of water, especially given Flagstaff’s elevation and dry climate, supports saliva production, which is one of your mouth’s best natural defenses. And of course, keeping up with regular brushing, flossing, and your routine dental cleanings lays the foundation for everything else we do surgically to hold up long-term.

At Oral Surgery NAZ, our entire team is here to support the health and wellbeing of this community we’re proud to call home. Whether you’re a longtime Flagstaff resident or a student arriving for your first semester at NAU, we welcome you with the same commitment to personalized, compassionate care. If you have questions about wisdom teeth, a dental injury, jaw pain, or any other oral surgery concern, I’d love to see you for a consultation. Give us a call — we’re here for you this August and every month ahead.

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