How would having my wisdom teeth removed impact my desire to enlist?

Raul Sanchez — Sun, 07 Feb 2021 23:12:02 -0500

I see people saying to wait until after recruitment to remove wisdom teeth however my wisdom tooth erupted with a cavity already inside of it and impacted, so my question was if I tried to join the military with my tooth like this would I be stopped and if I do choose to get it pulled how long would I have to wait before I can join?

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 7 at 2021 11:34 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 07 Feb 2021 23:34:44 -0500

Raul Sanchez Below is one post dealing with Wisdom Teeth. Search on "Wisdom Teeth" and then click on "Answers" for the other posts dealing with Wisdom Teeth.

https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/how-do-wisdom-teeth-removals-work-in-the-army

How do wisdom teeth removals work in the army? | RallyPoint

I have to have all 4 wisdom teeth pulled. It’s happening after I ship. I have various questions about it. In depth answers are preferred thank you. 1. Will they be pulled in BCT or during AIT (and is it free or does it cost me anything)2. Will they be pulled by a dentist, oral surgeon, or a corpsman3. If it’s a corpsman, can the corpsman cut open my gums surgically to remove a tooth that isn’t grown in, or are they not authorized to do surgery...

Response by SSG Laurie Mullen made Feb 8 at 2021 1:02 AM

SSG Laurie Mullen — Mon, 08 Feb 2021 01:02:59 -0500

My vote is to go a head and take of it now. You don't want to go to basic/boot camp with bad chompers. Training can be challenging enough without the distraction of a bad tooth, especially one like this.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 8 at 2021 1:19 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 08 Feb 2021 01:19:51 -0500

Get it done now. Eliminate the problem before it's a problem.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 8 at 2021 9:54 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 08 Feb 2021 09:54:04 -0500

get it done now. it should only take a week or two to heal up. should have zero impact on enlisting.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Feb 8 at 2021 10:09 AM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Mon, 08 Feb 2021 10:09:53 -0500

If you are having dental issues now you should get it addressed now. Boot Camp isn't where you want to deal with this stuff.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 8 at 2021 11:37 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 08 Feb 2021 11:37:44 -0500

Since you have an issue already, get it done now so it doesn't get worse and does cause you from enlisting.

I had my wisdom teeth pulled when I had 3 years in on AD. I got 4 days of quarters. Light duty for 10 days. That was it. So you're looking at 2 weeks recovery. You just can't eat solids for a good 2-3 weeks or so. That's really all it is. It won't stop you from enlisting.

Have you talked to a recruiter about this?

People probably say wait if you can until after you are AD because then you don't have to pay for it. But if it's a problem, sooner than later is better.

Response by PFC Kimberly Staiti made May 29 at 2021 8:59 AM

PFC Kimberly Staiti — Sat, 29 May 2021 08:59:35 -0400

This is not a drill, pardon the dental humour.

Get up immediately and do the following:

If you have an impacted tooth, see your dentist or doctor or nearest Emergency Dept as soon as you read this.

An infection above your neck (ear infection, sinus infection, impacted cavity, etc) is VERY dangerous because the infection is so near the *brain.*
You may be unable to afford to get it removed right now & that's ok. No sweat.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐But⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Antibiotics are now inevitable, though, and you need them as quickly as you can get them. (Prescribed! Please don't use any antibiotic without knowing the one that will work for the kind of infection you have and how to use it correctly – dosage, length of treatment, etc. Otherwise you're risking your health and you're risking the health of the world by making germs stronger and more antibiotic-resistant)
Don't be ~that~ guy ^^^

If you use old antibiotics they could be expired or the wrong kind or simply not enough pills for this infection.

I'm sure you'll receive great information here on RP about the ins and outs of the Armed Forces requirements or benefits or suggestions. You've got a hundreds of years of experience available to give you excellent military answers.

I only read your question and went straight into "Mom Mode," and that means first: Don't make it worse. My family was reared by the motto, "Safety first. Respect always."

~Please~ hear the urgency in my tone. It is not advice from a helicopter/rookie/overprotective mom.

This is an _emergency_ : act accordingly RFN

#SafetyFirst

Urgently yours,
kbly