Third Molars vs High-Stakes Football Game
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown added an unexpected item to his week 17 prep list: wisdom tooth removal. While the timing raised eyebrows, oral health professionals know there are legitimate reasons third molars sometimes demand immediate attention.
With the Philadelphia Eagles already clinching the National Football Conference East and still eyeing playoff positioning, week 17 preparation looks a little different, but few expected A.J. Brown’s midweek schedule to include oral surgery. The star receiver missed practice after undergoing wisdom tooth removal, then turned heads by signaling he still intends to suit up for Sunday’s matchup against the Buffalo Bills.
The plan sounds ambitious, as recovery can involve swelling, soreness, restricted jaw movement, and medication, hardly ideal conditions for wearing a helmet and absorbing hits at full speed. Still, wisdom teeth don’t always respect calendars, even National Football League ones.
Emergency removal of third molars is sometimes unavoidable. Impacted teeth; acute infections, such as pericoronitis; cyst formation; significant swelling; or severe pain can escalate quickly and require urgent extraction to prevent more serious complications. In those cases, delaying treatment may worsen outcomes and prolong recovery.
From a clinical standpoint, Brown’s situation offers a teachable moment. While proactive removal in the late teens or early twenties is often recommended to minimize risk, emergencies can arise at any age. Planned extractions are typically simpler, with fewer complications and faster healing than urgent procedures.
Whether Brown takes the field or not, his dental detour is a reminder that sometimes the toughest opponent isn’t on the schedule, it’s a pair of problematic third molars. Click here to read more.
