Wisdom Teeth Wisdom?

[PapaMedic]

Can anyone shed light on the need to have wisdom teeth removed prior to reporting for I-day or NRTOC? My nephew who is an active duty submariner advised having my DD's wisdom teeth removed even if they were not giving her any problems, because several of his buddies were "told" that the Navy would be removing them prophylactically.

Obviously recovery would be far easier while still at home, just wondering if the above "wisdom" should be followed?

 

[usna1985]

No need to have removed now. It can be done while at USNA or even once you graduate. I believe that, today, mids are given the option of having them removed by a civilian dentist while on leave (as it minimizes time away from class).

Obviously, if your dentist or orthodontist believes they need to be removed now for dental/cosmetic reasons, you should follow their advice.

 

[HuskyPilot]

Unless he is having issues now with his wisdom teeth I would recommend he wait and let the Navy deal with it. My daughter had complications following her procedure that could have prevented her from entering on I day. Don't take any unnecessary chances. Complications are rare but why risk it? Let the Navy pay for it.

 

[BBQ-Devil]

We are going through the same thing. I recommend seeing an oral surgeon and getting a professional opinion. The surgeon we went to said DS's would eventually need to come out so he recommended getting them done over Spring Break in March.

Again this was our scenario and each person is different. I would always follow the advice of your medical professional.

 

[HuskyPilot]

We are going through the same thing. I recommend seeing an oral surgeon and getting a professional opinion. The surgeon we went to said DS's would eventually need to come out so he recommended getting them done over Spring Break in March.

Again this was our scenario and each person is different. I would always follow the advice of your medical professional.

I would caution against this approach. This was our scenario as well. Complications occurred and my daughter almost missed I day. Common sense (IMHO) should rule the day. Big difference between "eventually" needing to come out and having immediate medical reason (pain, etc) for removal. You are correct. To each his own. I would never take that risk again but that's me and my kid having experience what we did.

 

[Usna77]

We are going through the same thing. I recommend seeing an oral surgeon and getting a professional opinion. The surgeon we went to said DS's would eventually need to come out so he recommended getting them done over Spring Break in March.

Again this was our scenario and each person is different. I would always follow the advice of your medical professional.

I would caution against this approach. This was our scenario as well. Complications occurred and my daughter almost missed I day. Common sense (IMHO) should rule the day. Big difference between "eventually" needing to come out and having immediate medical reason (pain, etc) for removal. You are correct. To each his own. I would never take that risk again but that's me and my kid having experience what we did.

How for out from I day did she have them removed? We are on the fence too and trying to make the best decision. Tentatively planning spring break which is 3+ months before.

 

[THParent]

Maybe it's just the Marine in me talking here - but I say let the Navy do it - later.
I still have my wisdom teeth. They have never been a problem for me.

 

[JP2019TP]

At my son's recent dental check-up, he recommended seeing our oral surgeon for wisdom teeth removal. We will get a consult and see what she says.

 

[PapaMedic]

Maybe it's just the Marine in me talking here - but I say let the Navy do it - later.
I still have my wisdom teeth. They have never been a problem for me.

I am in the same boat, I still have mine and have never had any issues.

 

[HuskyPilot]

How for out from I day did she have them removed? We are on the fence too and trying to make the best decision. Tentatively planning spring break which is 3+ months before.[/QUOTE]

2 months. My point is why take the risk if the teeth are not causing a problem? The military will remove them if they are a problem. Wisdom teeth not causing a problem will not be removed. My DD had a number of classmates that were told that wisdom teeth would be removed if they became an issue. The very few that she knew that had them removed had no problems at the academy healing and carrying on with class. Many people never have an issue. Im 54 and have my wisdom teeth and never had a problem. When I entered the military in 1982 I was told by my dentist, "Oh, you should probably have those removed. Eventually they are likely to cause you problems". Well they didn't. Remember, dentist make money from dental procedures. They are not unbiased. If its that big of deal for your kid to get them out do it now -don't wait.

 

[Wishful]

@PapaMedic, lots of info available from prior posts. Using the Search function (if you haven't already) will help you decide. Good luck!

 

[cptenca]

Whether in this thread or searching the old posts you are going to find 50/50 opinions. I can tell you we had them removed over spring break before R-Day with no issues, but someone else is going to say they had issues or never had them removed. Ultimately, make the decision you feel best for your situation and drive on.

 

[Devil Doc]

I had mine removed in the early 80s when Motrin was supposedly the answer for all pain. I was hurting and went to Hotel Street, not what we really called it, in Honolulu for something stronger. The combination of liquid pain relief and fried rice from Wo Phats caused a dry socket. My advice? Stay away from Hotel Street after a wisdom extraction.

 

[SAMom]

My son had his removed at USNA and we regretted that decision. You kind of get rushed out of recovery. He didn’t have a good experience.

 

[Blessedmom]

Our Plebe to be son had his removed on a Friday & went back to school on Monday. Wisdom teeth were not bothering him yet but I wanted him to have the surgery with a good oral surgeon under my care & supervision. With so much work & activities at USNA, I didn’t want him to get surgery there.

 

[USNA 19 DAD]

My DS had his done in March or April prior to I-Day. As stated here, the extra downtime they may need or want will be easier to get at home.

 

[Wishful]

A panoramic X-ray of your jaw is needed in order for an oral surgeon to determine if your wisdom teeth will come in straight (as some posters above have) or at an angle which will cause a lot of pain. Some actually grow sideways. After this type X-ray is taken, you and your Oral Surgeon (& parents) can have a conversation about the need for surgery. As you can see below, these have to come out.

 

[MamaBear4]

A panoramic X-ray of your jaw is needed in order for an oral surgeon to determine if your wisdom teeth will come in straight (as some posters above have) or at an angle which will cause a lot of pain. Some actually grow sideways. After this type X-ray is taken, you and your Oral Surgeon (& parents) can have a conversation about the need for surgery. As you can see below, these have to come out.
View attachment 1958

My 2021 and 2023 to be were very similar. One had them put on a Friday the other the beginning of the next week. I can say the younger son was eating Cain’s chicken that evening and never missed a step. It’s all about the roots! Both boys were hilarious after it. Our medical and dental covered the procedure.

 

[Wishful]

DD's Oral Surgeon said that Wisdom Teeth extraction should be done the earlier, the better as the jaw bone is softer. Further, she said that the procedure can be performed as early as 16 y/o.

 

[OldRetSWO]

I had mine done in my 40's and even with a solidified jaw, it was not a big deal. I was back at work the next day after each of my two removal sessions.