When are wisdom teeth pulled?

Liz Susan — Mon, 13 Dec 2021 01:01:50 -0500

Would you be getting your wisdom teeth pulled in boot camp or after boot camp? It would be awful to be kicked out of bootcamp or not make it AND to lose your teeth. What do you think?

Response by SPC Nancy Greene made Dec 13 at 2021 1:21 AM

SPC Nancy Greene — Mon, 13 Dec 2021 01:21:23 -0500

I broke a tooth in AIT and all they did was give me a temporary filling until I reached permanent party. If they become infected in Basic, then they will have to be pulled. You’ll probably only be allowed one day to recuperate and it shouldn’t cause you to recycle. Best of luck Liz Susan! Dental issues aren’t pleasant

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 13 at 2021 1:22 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 13 Dec 2021 01:22:26 -0500

Well, depends on how bad the condition of the wisdom teeth are. Having had all four ripped out in one sitting and given 4 days of quarters (1 day per tooth), I'd say wait until after AIT. But, again, we circle back to how bad they are. If they're that bad...shouldn't have shipped until they were out. Now, it taken during BCT, possible risk of recycling...same for AIT.

But, to answer the question, they're pulled when the dentist seems they need to be pulled.

Response by Maj Maria Avellaneda made Dec 13 at 2021 4:55 AM

Maj Maria Avellaneda — Mon, 13 Dec 2021 04:55:49 -0500

For all I know there is no particular time! Is an individual situation! You don’t even have to pool them out if there is not a reason to do so!

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 13 at 2021 9:40 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 13 Dec 2021 09:40:55 -0500

Some people never get their wisdom teeth removed. It is an invidiual case by case determination by a dentist.

Response by SFC Ralph E Kelley made Dec 13 at 2021 10:09 PM

SFC Ralph E Kelley — Mon, 13 Dec 2021 22:09:18 -0500

Getting your wisdom teeth pulled is not considered a major operation.
However leaving them in until you get an infection is very bad for you.
After all the infection would be within one inch of your brain.
Think about the problems from a nasty bug seeping into your noggin.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 13 at 2021 10:28 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 13 Dec 2021 22:28:20 -0500

When I went through reception they didn't do any dental work. They took x-rays and that was it. I had a class 3 in my mouth and it wasn't addressed until I got to my 1st duty station. As far as my wisdom teeth I will get them taken out next year. Unless you're having pain or they are causing some type of trouble (cavaties) they won't take them out unless you ask. I asked since mine were developing cavities.

Response by Louis J Manziano made Dec 14 at 2021 1:06 AM

Louis J Manziano — Tue, 14 Dec 2021 01:06:27 -0500

Huh ?

Response by SMSgt Lawrence McCarter made Dec 14 at 2021 2:45 PM

SMSgt Lawrence McCarter — Tue, 14 Dec 2021 14:45:37 -0500

Well my Dad having had a few negative experiences with Navy Dentist during WWII thought i was better off getting it done before I entered the Armed Forces and with a Dentist We knew was good. The Dentist I went Dr, Harold Nathonson Who actually had been a Navy Fighter Pilot and Lt. Commander during WWII. He stil lflew in air shows and did aerobatics and was very well know in aviation circles. He was also one of the top Oral surgeons in the United States. I may add both of His son's and His Grandson also were pilots. One of His son's had been a C130 pilot in the US Coast Guard and I had been up in a Cessna 180 with Him.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 14 at 2021 2:55 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 14 Dec 2021 14:55:58 -0500

Usually during AIT on a Friday

Response by PO2 Russell "Russ" Lincoln made Dec 14 at 2021 4:19 PM

PO2 Russell "Russ" Lincoln — Tue, 14 Dec 2021 16:19:34 -0500

I had to have mine removed before I was discharged from the Marines. They were lying down on their side, the dentist said that my jaw was too small for them.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 14 at 2021 7:08 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 14 Dec 2021 19:08:38 -0500

When a dentist tells you that they need to come out...why do you think you would get your wisdom teeth pulled at basic training?

I got mine removed when I was 3 years in almost - in 2007. The dentist told me at least the bottom two should come out and then asked if I wanted them to just do all 4. I got put under, got quarters and a 10 day no PT profile (literally no PT. I wasn't even supposed to walk for PT) and light duty.

Response by TSgt Ken Vandevoort made Jan 31 at 2022 7:04 PM

TSgt Ken Vandevoort — Mon, 31 Jan 2022 19:04:05 -0500

When I arrived at my base in Turkey and was going around to the different offices to get my check in forms signed, I was advised that the dentists on base wanted to pull everyone's wisdom teeth. I avoided them and initialed my own form. It took them about a year and a half to catch up with me and I had PCS orders, so they decided to let the next base worry about it. I was at the dentist a lot on my next base and they never said anything about it. I left the AF and was told I had one year to get them pulled by my civilian dentist and the VA would pay for it. My civilian dentist that I had before I enlisted did all four at once. I was a college photographer and shot graduation ceremonies later the same day and the next day. My head was pounding. But, I got it done on my own terms.

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 14 at 2023 6:36 AM

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 14 Mar 2023 06:36:39 -0400

Hey! I think it's best to get your wisdom teeth removed before boot camp to avoid any complications. I understand the worry about losing teeth, but I found this article on https://afterva.com/hydrogen-peroxide-whiten-teeth/ that might help. It talks about using hydrogen peroxide to whiten teeth and could be useful for anyone looking to improve their dental health. Best of luck with your decision!

How Does Hydrogen Peroxide Whiten Teeth? - afterva - Oral Health Library

Hydrogen peroxide can whiten your teeth by diffusing its way through the entire tooth and oxidizing organic substances along the way.