Wisdom Teeth?
- Thread starter simpse01
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I do not believe it is mandatory, however, if your wisdom teeth are anywhere close to coming in, you may want to consider having them removed prior to reporting as you do not want to miss any time from Plebe Summer or classes, nor do you want to recoup at the Academy....better to do it now and have the comfort of home to recoup. And, if you have any complications.....well, I think you get the picture. My son had his removed on April 8th (during his spring break).
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I do remember a round of posts in the last few months, some quite funny, on wisdom teeth. If midshipmen still have them when they arrive, they won't when they depart USNA. And it's usually all four at once... not something fun to deal with amidst all the other pressures of the schedule.
Before I went off to OCS, my family dentist, a retired Army officer, told me it was bound to happen once I went on active duty, though I didn't have any current problems. I had them out a few months before I went, two at a time, way easier than what I saw my roommate go through at OCS. It's just no fun being miserable with swollen gums in all four quadrants, down on the deck stripping wax, hungry because there really wasn't anything that felt OK to chew in the mess hall.
Navy doesn't like to have people at sea for summer training who are not "Dentally ready." No dentists on most ships except the really big ones.
I'm sure Retired HM could give us the real gouge.
Before I went off to OCS, my family dentist, a retired Army officer, told me it was bound to happen once I went on active duty, though I didn't have any current problems. I had them out a few months before I went, two at a time, way easier than what I saw my roommate go through at OCS. It's just no fun being miserable with swollen gums in all four quadrants, down on the deck stripping wax, hungry because there really wasn't anything that felt OK to chew in the mess hall.
Navy doesn't like to have people at sea for summer training who are not "Dentally ready." No dentists on most ships except the really big ones.
I'm sure Retired HM could give us the real gouge.
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Does anyone know of/is there someone who did not have their wisdom teeth removed before entering USNA and still has them? Two of mine (I only have 3) just came in, but my dentist said they shouldn't cause any problems. Will USNA still want to take them out? I'm not sure who to contact now about that.
I was almost sure before entering active duty military period they would have them removed? My dad went in enlisted to the air force twenty something years ago and had them removed and my brother last year to the marines and had them removed before he went but a friend of his had them removed at parris island while going through basic.
Getting wisdom teeth removed prior to I-day is not mandatory, but is recommended.
There are folks who manage to get through life (and even the military) while keeping their wisdom teeth. Not many, but they are there.
You would rather have the wisdom teeth removed before they cause any problems. As they erupt it can be painful, and they can also start to crowd the teeth already there.
The reasons for getting them pulled prior to I-day? First, as has been mentioned, it is much easier to have them pulled while sitting at home, in familiar surroundings, with parents who can coddle the young one, vs. having them pulled while at USNA, where you'd be lucky if your roommate felt much sympathy at all, and its a little hard for parents to coddle long distance.
There are folks who manage to get through life (and even the military) while keeping their wisdom teeth. Not many, but they are there.
You would rather have the wisdom teeth removed before they cause any problems. As they erupt it can be painful, and they can also start to crowd the teeth already there.
The reasons for getting them pulled prior to I-day? First, as has been mentioned, it is much easier to have them pulled while sitting at home, in familiar surroundings, with parents who can coddle the young one, vs. having them pulled while at USNA, where you'd be lucky if your roommate felt much sympathy at all, and its a little hard for parents to coddle long distance.
You aren't suggesting to get them removed even if they haven't begun to surface yet, are you???
(that's "you" in the collective sense
)
Our family has the weird late-blooming-not-all-there-anyway wisdom teeth gene, so I'd rather not have to opt for elective surgery($$$$$) to have them dig his out - if they are even there!
(that's "you" in the collective sense
)Our family has the weird late-blooming-not-all-there-anyway wisdom teeth gene, so I'd rather not have to opt for elective surgery($$$$$) to have them dig his out - if they are even there!
Our dentist recommended getting wisdom teeth pulled before age 18 or at least fairly young, because the body reacts better ... the teeth get harder, the jaw tougher to deal with and can cause more problems if you wait until your late 20s or so ... not always, but it's just easier all around they said. My son had all four out last summer ... and he was a sad puppy for a week or so ... and his weren't impacted ... just straight forward extractions ... I really wouldn't recommend doing that far from home if at all possible ...
Our Dentist said the same. Mid did not have wisdom teeth removed before IDay and Academy has never indicated that they need to be.
That being said: if you show up to Brigade Dental with a sore mouth - you will get no notice and out come the wisdom teeth. Happened to friend my Mid. Rommies and friends did take good care of him.
That being said: if you show up to Brigade Dental with a sore mouth - you will get no notice and out come the wisdom teeth. Happened to friend my Mid. Rommies and friends did take good care of him.
I was ordered to the clinic one fine morning while a young recruit at Parris Island, and exited about 4 hours later in great pain to light duty for the rest of the day, armed with a handful of Tylenol Extra Strength pills and sans 4 teeth!....
BTW, no notice either, sit down private, you're having your wisdom teeth removed now....
For West Point Prep, my son received his paperwork and they want a full panoramic x-ray submitted before late May for them (USMA) to decide if they want the wisdom teeth pulled before R Day and Tri-Care's inclusion.
Some people never have to have their wisdom teeth pulled. Go with your dentist's recommendation .... I only had two wisdom teeth ... they basically came out with no hassle when I was about 26 ... a little pop, a couple of stitches and I was on my way ... if the dentist doesn't see a reason to pull them ... Don't sweat it ... my son had all four ... which could have been an issue later ...
AF6872
15-Year Member
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Full Bird at Korat thought two should come out at age 23 with no previous problems. Had to break them to get them out. His advice was after the anesthetic wore off take some aspirin. Up the mountain into the jungle we go. That night the medic gave me some demerol and scotch from the NCO hootch. Slept like a baby.
Decision made
Well - I saw son's orthodontist over the weekend and she told me he has to have them out right away since one is threatening his (very expensive and 4years in orthodontia) smile. He'll get all 4 done next week while mom can still coddle him.....
Well - I saw son's orthodontist over the weekend and she told me he has to have them out right away since one is threatening his (very expensive and 4years in orthodontia) smile. He'll get all 4 done next week while mom can still coddle him.....