When should you stop eating before wisdom teeth surgery

Q: What happens if you eat before wisdom teeth surgery?

Heres why its dangerous- when youre under anesthesia, your muscles, including the muscles and reflexes in your throat are relaxed and the chance that you could vomit while youre sedated is increased. If you have any food or liquid in your stomach, you could aspirate (inhale into your lungs) whatever was vomited.

Q: Can you eat 24 hours before wisdom teeth surgery?

Dont eat or drink anything, including water, after midnight of the evening before your surgery. Remember to dress comfortably. Youll feel better overall and will be ready to rest after your surgery.

Q: What happens if you eat or drink before oral surgery?

Fast. If youre going to be sedated,dont eat or drink anything, including water, after midnight of the evening before your surgery. This reduces your risk of aspiration, a rare but serious complication of anesthesia that fills the lungs with the contents of your stomach.

December 20, 2018

Table of Contents Show

1. Carefully read your pre-op instructions.
2. Pick up your medication in advance.
3. Ask a family member or friend for a ride.
4. Head to the grocery store.
6. Select the right clothing.
7. Do not smoke.
8. Arrive early.
9. Get a good night’s sleep.
10. Ask any outstanding questions.
How many hours before wisdom teeth should I not eat?
What happens if you eat before wisdom teeth surgery?
Can you eat 24 hours before wisdom teeth surgery?
What happens if you eat or drink before oral surgery?

If you’re having oral surgery, there are a few things you will need to do prior to your procedure. Be sure to follow these ten easy steps when gearing up for the big day!

1. Carefully read your pre-op instructions.

If your dentist provides you with any instructions prior to your surgery, make sure you read them! This will give you information regarding your anesthesia and how to prepare for it. It will also list any special instructions that are particularly pertinent to your specific procedure.

2. Pick up your medication in advance.

Once you’ve had your surgery, you will need to be in full recovery mode. Therefore, you won’t be able to leave the house for medication. Be sure to head to the pharmacy before your procedure to pick up any medications you will need during your recovery process.

3. Ask a family member or friend for a ride.

After anesthesia, you will not be able to drive a car or get home by yourself. Therefore, be sure to ask a family member or friend to take you to your visit and bring you home. If no one is available to bring you, you will need to wait at the dentist’s office for a while until it is safe for you to call a cab.

4. Head to the grocery store.

You will have a pretty strict diet after your oral surgery. Therefore, be certain to pick up the right foods to help you through recovery! When you’re shopping, stick to only healthy beverages like water, tea, milk, protein drinks. You’ll also need to stick to softer foods for a few days. Avoid any acidic or spicy foods, as well as any beverage that would require a straw.

5. Fast.

If you’re going to have anesthesia, your dentist will recommend that you do not eat or drink anything for at least eight hours prior to your surgery. If you need to take medication, only use a small sip of water if necessary. Doing so will help you to avoid any risk of aspiration during surgery.

6. Select the right clothing.

You’ll want to wear comfortable clothing for your procedure. Avoid wearing any shirts with sleeves, as nurses will need your arms to be available for taking your vital signs, giving an IV, or monitoring your blood pressure.

7. Do not smoke.

You should not smoke tobacco products for at least 12 hours prior to your surgery, and for at least 24 hours after your treatment.

8. Arrive early.

Make sure you plan to arrive at your appointment about 20 minutes early. This will give you time to fill out any necessary last-minute paper work and ask any lingering questions you might have.

9. Get a good night’s sleep.

It is always important to get a good night’s sleep prior to your procedure. Ask your dentist if there are any sleeping positions they recommend in order to avoid placing pressure on your mouth (if it is relevant to your particular procedure).

10. Ask any outstanding questions.

If you have any questions about your procedure, your recovery, or even the risks and benefits, be sure to ask! At Olympia Fields Dental Associates, we want our patients to feel well-informed and confident before any oral surgery.

If you have any questions about your oral surgery, don’t hesitate to ask! Call Olympia Fields Dental Associates in Olympia Fields today to speak with our helpful staff.

Prior to your dental surgery you will have the opportunity to address any concerns you might have during your pre-op appointment. We encourage you to ask questions and make us aware of any fears you might have. Our main goal is to create a secure, comfortable environment for our patients on the day of surgery so the more you communicate with us, the easier we can accommodate your needs. The following guidelines are meant to serve as reminders in helping you prepare for your dental surgery. If you have any questions, feel free to contact our practice.

Leading Up to the Day of Surgery

Fasting must begin at midnight the night before surgery for patients with a morning appointment. If you have an afternoon appointment, do not eat anything 8 hours prior to your scheduled dental surgery.
While fasting, the patient may only drink clear fluids (Ex: water, apple juice, black coffee, and sports drinks). Beverages that are not allowed to be consumed are alcohol, orange juice, milk, creamer, and other opaque drinks. Patients should avoid drinking all fluids within 6 hours of their surgery. If you are unsure about what can and cannot be consumed, please ask during your pre-op appointment.
Patients may continue taking the following medications with a small sip of water prior to surgery:

- Cardiac medications
            - Pulmonary medications
            - Steroids
            - Anti-seizure medications
            - Anti-Parkinson’s medications

Medications that patients are prohibited from taking are MAO inhibitors, anti-depressants, aspirins, anti-coagulants, and anti-inflammatory drugs. We request that patients stop taking these medications at least two days prior to surgery because they can create complications during dental surgery.
Patients are not to consume alcoholic beverages or use tobacco products within 24 hours of their appointment and are asked to refrain from drinking or smoking for 24 hours after their surgery.

Day of Surgery

If you are a minor, you must have a parent or guardian present for the extent of your surgery. All patients are required to have a licensed driver take them home after their appointment, and we prefer that you are accompanied by someone for at least 12 hours after your surgery.
Brush your teeth as usual, but be sure not to swallow any water or toothpaste. Do not wear any make up or nail polish.
If you regularly wear contact lenses, please remove them prior to surgery. Jewelry and dentures will also need to be removed before surgery.
We prefer that you wear loose, comfortable clothing and flat soled shoes. Shirts that have ¾ sleeve or shorter are ideal.
After surgery, you will not be fully aware, therefore cannot return to work or school, and cannot drive or operate other hazardous devices. Also, please make sure that you have assistance when climbing stairs or attempting other difficult tasks.

If you have any change in health the morning of you appointment, please contact the practice immediately. A cold or fever with chest and sinus congestion may dangerously affect surgery so it is imperative that our practice is made aware of the situation. If it is necessary to reschedule your appointment, we will notify you.

How many hours before wisdom teeth should I not eat?

You may not have anything to eat or drink (including water) for eight (8) hours prior to the appointment. No smoking at least 12 hours before surgery. Ideally, cut down or stop smoking as soon as possible prior to the day of surgery.

What happens if you eat before wisdom teeth surgery?

Here's why it's dangerous- when you're under anesthesia, your muscles, including the muscles and reflexes in your throat are relaxed and the chance that you could vomit while you're sedated is increased. If you have any food or liquid in your stomach, you could aspirate (inhale into your lungs) whatever was vomited.

Can you eat 24 hours before wisdom teeth surgery?

Don't eat or drink anything, including water, after midnight of the evening before your surgery. Remember to dress comfortably. You'll feel better overall and will be ready to rest after your surgery.

What happens if you eat or drink before oral surgery?

Fast. If you're going to be sedated,don't eat or drink anything, including water, after midnight of the evening before your surgery. This reduces your risk of aspiration, a rare but serious complication of anesthesia that fills the lungs with the contents of your stomach.