I was not in the regular army but 20 years in the TA, where a lot of drill also took place
I expect some of the boys dreaded the drill, so the sight of your teeth flying out would have
brought them some relief!

I also had a top plate with one front tooth on it, I never did get the thing to stay in place and ended up only putting it in for photographs!
Lost a few more teeth since and do not have a plate at all now.
Mick.