For years, getting your wisdom teeth pulled was a standard part of mission prep. If your wisdom teeth are healthy, that’s no longer required.
What the Church Says Now
The Church updated its guidance. Healthy wisdom teeth no longer have to come out before you serve. Removal is now advised when a tooth shows signs of disease or poses a significant risk.
You still need a dental exam. A dentist checks your teeth as part of your missionary recommendation. That exam tells you whether yours are fine or need attention.
Signs Your Wisdom Teeth May Need to Come Out
Every mouth is different. Here’s what a dentist looks for:
- A tooth stuck under the gum or growing in sideways
- Swelling or soreness around a tooth that’s only partly in
- A cavity in that tooth or the molar next to it
- Food trapped where your toothbrush can’t reach
- Pain when you chew or open wide
You can’t see most of this in a mirror. An X-ray shows where each tooth sits and what its roots look like.
Why Timing Still Matters
Even with the new guidance, some future missionaries will still need a tooth out. If that’s you, don’t wait until the last month.
Most people feel back to normal within a few days. But a sore jaw can make it hard to eat, and dry socket can slow things down. A few weeks of buffer before you leave is smart.
Think about where you’re headed, too. A sore tooth is a lot harder to deal with far from home. Fixing problems now saves you trouble later.
A Simple Plan for Future Missionaries
- Book your dental exam a few months before you plan to submit your papers
- Get X-rays of your back teeth if you haven’t had them recently
- If a tooth needs to come out, schedule it a few weeks before you leave
- Take care of any cavities at the same time
- Keep brushing and flossing all the way to the back
We offer the missionary dental exam in our Rexburg office. Our post on pre-mission dental clearance covers the rest of the checklist.
If Your Wisdom Teeth Do Need to Come Out
Dr. Stout handles wisdom teeth removal in our office, including teeth stuck under the gum. The area is fully numbed before anything starts.
Plan on soft foods for the first 24 to 48 hours. Skip straws, smoking, and spitting for at least a day. Call us if the pain gets worse after day two.
Fitting It Around Class
Planning around BYU-Idaho classes? We’re open Saturdays from 8 AM to 1 PM and until 7 PM on Mondays and Tuesdays. That makes it easier to fit an exam in around class.
Getting ready to serve? Call Family First Dental at (208) 400-9946 to book your missionary dental exam. We’re at 286 E Moody Rd, Suite F, in Rexburg.
