About 3% of missionaries experience shortened missions caused by various physical health problems. By going through wisdom teeth removal, a missionary can help ensure that their mission is not interrupted by orthodontic issues.
Visit a Dentist for Oral Health
Visiting a dentist is important in ensuring that your oral health is up to date before you start serving. They will let you know if there are any problems with your teeth and what you can do to fix them.
Wisdom teeth are the last teeth to develop, also called third molars, and they often appear in the late teens. If you are unsure whether you have them, our guide on how to know if you have wisdom teeth can help you recognize common signs and symptoms. These molars may not have enough space to fully erupt, which can lead to an impacted wisdom tooth or other eruption issues. If any of these were to happen, it could be very detrimental to your physical health.
Because of this, the Mission Department says that you should go through a wisdom teeth removal procedure if your dentist believes they are going to cause you issues within the next two years, and early removal can help prevent later dental problems and pressure on surrounding teeth that can arise from issues caused by impacted wisdom teeth.
Prospective missionaries who are not in a routine dental-care program will want to see a dentist as soon as possible. That way they can be sure that there is enough time for a check-up and treatment if needed.
In short, you want any needed orthodontic work to be completed before entering the MTC. If you are in St. George with wisdom teeth problems, our team at the Oral & Facial Surgery Institute is a dental clinic with an experienced and caring staff offering specialized care, and an oral surgeon in St. George, Utah can help with more complex cases.
What Problems Can Impacted Wisdom Teeth Cause?
Every patient can experience different issues with their wisdom teeth. However, as a missionary, you will want to be sure you get them looked at before you leave to serve. Wisdom teeth removal is a common procedure, and some patients need all four wisdom teeth addressed because they are causing problems. Wisdom teeth removal may require a long healing time, which could interrupt your mission.
They also cause many problems. When an impacted tooth is not removed, it may cause swelling and pain in your gums and put pressure on the jaw, with symptoms like a bad taste or difficulty opening your mouth. Wisdom teeth that are only partially erupted are hard to clean since they are in the back of your mouth, making them a potential risk for gum disease, infection, or tooth decay, and an impacted tooth can also affect the surrounding teeth.
We are specialists when it comes to any oral surgery in St. George, UT, providing tooth removal and teeth extractions with advanced techniques as part of oral surgery, though in rare cases additional complications can occur. Many of our patients are future missionaries, just like you!
What Happens After Wisdom Teeth Extractions?
Once the teeth have been removed, the extraction procedure is complete and you will start the healing process. It is different for every person, and our specialists will let you know what to do to help the process along and heal quickly after wisdom tooth surgery, including how to manage pain during recovery.
You will likely experience some swelling, pain, and discomfort in your mouth, and some bleeding can be normal right after surgery. An ice pack can help reduce swelling and numb your mouth. A blood clot forms in the socket and should be protected to lower the risk of dry socket after wisdom teeth removal. Be sure that you only eat soft food after the procedure and avoid using a straw.
It can take 3 days to a week to completely recover, and it is best to rest during the first part of healing. After this, it would be all right to start your mission. Remember that you can still be susceptible to infection for a few months, so clean your mouth often, watch for symptoms of infection or dry socket, and call if pain or bleeding worsens. Our team offers a variety of oral and maxillofacial surgery procedures to address complications and restore your oral health if needed.
Conclusion
Contact us today if you are a prospective missionary looking to have your wisdom teeth removed through wisdom teeth extractions; we would love to answer any questions you have about the procedure and anesthesia options while prioritizing your comfort and security. You can also learn more about our oral surgery practice in St. George and the role of an oral surgeon in overall health and wellness at (435) 628-1100.