Dreams of space travel often start with rockets and starry skies, not dentist chairs. However, for astronauts, small and everyday body parts can become serious concerns when Earth is far behind. Shubhanshu Shukla, the first Indian to visit the International Space Station, recently discussed such a detail that rarely gets news. Before launch, he had healthy wisdom teeth extracted. There was no discomfort, infection or emergency to occur. The decision was made privately, well before the countdown. In space, even small matters can become complicated. Medical aid is limited, gravity is absent, and some surgeries are simply impossible to perform. Dental care falls squarely into this category, with prevention being an integral part of preparedness.
Wisdom teeth and space missions: Unexpected surgery astronauts have to undergo
Wisdom teeth are unpredictable. They can sit quietly for years, then swell, crack or become infected without much warning. On Earth, this is inconvenient. In orbit, it can be dangerous. Astronauts cannot walk into a clinic or call a specialist. Pain meds help so much. Contamination poses risks that are more difficult to address in closed, weightless environments. Early removal of wisdom teeth reduces the chance of sudden pain that could affect focus, sleep, and mission tasks.
What Shubhanshu Shukla revealed about dental checkups
Speaking at an event at IIT Mumbai, Shukla explained that dental health is taken with unusual seriousness when selecting astronauts. He shared that two of his wisdom teeth were removed before his mission, not because they hurt, but because one day they might cause problems. He noted that astronauts train for many medical scenarios, but dental surgery is not one of them. The tools, precision and conditions required simply don’t exist on the spacecraft.
It is really impossible to do dental surgery in orbit
In theory, astronauts receive basic medical training. In practice, dental surgery is a different matter. Blood behaves unpredictably in zero gravity. Liquids do not drain or settle as expected. Sterile conditions are more difficult to maintain. Even a routine extraction could become dangerous. Because of this, space agencies avoid the issue altogether by removing potential dental problems well in advance of launch.
Do all astronauts lose their wisdom teeth?
Shukla reported that other astronauts had several teeth removed during training. These decisions are made after scans, reviews and risk assessments. If a tooth looks likely to cause problems later, it is often removed. The goal is not comfort but reliability. Space missions depend on solid health, sometimes down to the smallest detail.
Why prevention is so important for large shipments
Short shipments already carry risk. Longer stays raise the stakes further. Astronauts on the ISS spend weeks or months in orbit. Planned missions to the Moon or Mars would take even longer. A minor dental problem early on could become a serious distraction over time. Preventive care reduces uncertainty and keeps the focus on work, not pain.
What does this say about astronaut training as a whole?
Shukla’s experience highlights how astronaut training extends far beyond physical fitness and simulations. Mental toughness, regular discipline, and preventative health care all play a role. Teeth, vision, bone density and even sleeping habits are closely monitored. Space travel requires a body that is not only strong but also predictable.
