What to do about wisdom teeth?

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Jan 23, 2016
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My DD was looking through all the information in his appointment checklist. One of the recommendations was to have your wisdom teeth removed before reporting for I Day. It it also recommending giving yourself eight weeks for recovering. My DD's problem is that he is in swim season until Mid May and then has final exams the following week. If he has his wisdom teeth removed after finals, that will only give him 4 weeks for recovery before I Day.

Does anyone have any experience with this issue?
 
Personally, I didn't get mine taken out prior to coming to USAFA. They will do it here if it's necessary. I know a lot of cadets who have had gotten their wisdom teeth out at USAFA. If you decide to go ahead and get them out though, 4 weeks should be fine for recovery. They probably suggest 8 weeks in case complications arise.
 
Personally, I didn't get mine taken out prior to coming to USAFA. They will do it here if it's necessary. I know a lot of cadets who have had gotten their wisdom teeth out at USAFA. If you decide to go ahead and get them out though, 4 weeks should be fine for recovery. They probably suggest 8 weeks in case complications arise.
Thank you!
 
I had 2 wisdom teeth removed + 2 bone grafts harvested and placed + 2 implants placed and I literally went back to school for my calculus class the same day. I took it easy in track and field for 1 week and was back to my regular activities in 1 week. If you get a good surgeon, it's really no big deal. It was super easy.
 
The earlier you take them out, the less chance for complications. Don't wait until roots grow around the nerve. My surgeon said he took out both his kids wisdom teeth at age 16, which is the easiest time with little chance of complications. He said the older you get, the more chance for problems.
 
I'm 45 and still have 1. I'm not sure why there is so much hoopla over these teeth. The only reason I had the others removed over the past 28 years (1 at a time) was decay. Our dentist has never said 1 word about our son's yet badgers me about my lone remaining one...... With our son we have no plans to fool with his teeth unless absolutely necessary per the Academy or our dentist.
 
.....One of the recommendations was to have your wisdom teeth removed before reporting for I Day.

This is an often discussed topic. It seems most people are missing part of the recommendation which relates to having them removed IF a dentist has a found a medical reason to do so. There is NO requirement to have healthy teeth removed before starting the program.
 
This is somewhat related. For appointees, we have to update a medical statement which involves checking a box that says "I certify that since completing my medical and dental exams, I have not had any illness, injury, or change in medical, dental, or weight status that would (to the best of my knowledge) alter my "Qualified" medical status, except as noted in the box below."

If I get my wisdom teeth removed, should I note that or is that not necessary (so leave the box blank). There are other forms that ask about dental surgery so I figured that would be the place to mark it. So should I just leave it blank then?
 
Lots of cadets get them out at USAFA, some (like me) didn't have any problems then. I got mine out last year, 3 years after graduating. Don't worry about it unless your dentist thinks they will pose a problem within the next year or so.
 
My DD was looking through all the information in his appointment checklist. One of the recommendations was to have your wisdom teeth removed before reporting for I Day. It it also recommending giving yourself eight weeks for recovering. My DD's problem is that he is in swim season until Mid May and then has final exams the following week. If he has his wisdom teeth removed after finals, that will only give him 4 weeks for recovery before I Day.

Does anyone have any experience with this issue?


What checklist? From AFA?
 
Please keep in mind that your DS/DD is going into the military and they have their own rules that aren't open for negotiations. If it says allow 8 weeks, allow 8 weeks. Doesn't matter if folks say it only takes x-weeks to recover. It would be a shame to be a medical turn-back over something that is elective and totally in your control. If in doubt, check with DODMER or USAFA.
 
Please keep in mind that your DS/DD is going into the military and they have their own rules that aren't open for negotiations. If it says allow 8 weeks, allow 8 weeks. Doesn't matter if folks say it only takes x-weeks to recover. It would be a shame to be a medical turn-back over something that is elective and totally in your control. If in doubt, check with DODMER or USAFA.
I contacted DODMERB and spoke to them directly. Seems this is pretty common
 
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