Can you eat before wisdom tooth extraction local anesthesia

December 20, 2018


Can you eat before wisdom tooth extraction local anesthesia


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.

Can you eat before wisdom tooth extraction local anesthesia

There are many forms of dental sedation and many reasons each option is used on a specific patient or during a certain dental procedure. Because sedation is a form of medication, you may wonder if you can eat or drink before you’re sedated. The answer, as with most things, is that it depends.

As caring dentists in Arizona, we will tell you before a procedure if there are any dietary restrictions you need to be aware of. When in doubt, though, ask. If you’re trying to determine if dental sedation is a good option for you, here’s what you need to know about eating and drinking on the day of your appointment.

Nitrous Oxide

Can you eat before wisdom tooth extraction local anesthesia
Otherwise known as laughing gas, nitrous oxide is the least invasive and mildest form of dental sedation. It relaxes you while keeping you fully aware of your surroundings. Once you remove your mask, the effects wear off very quickly, and you can easily go about your day.

As for eating or drinking anything, most people will be fine with no dietary restrictions. Feel free to eat a light meal a few hours before your procedure. Some patients, however, become nauseous while using nitrous oxide. In these situations, it’s advised to avoid too much food so you don’t become sick. If you’ve never used laughing gas at the dentist, refrain from eating until you know if it will make you nauseous.

Local Anesthesia

Can you eat before wisdom tooth extraction local anesthesia
Technically not a sedation medication, local anesthesia is commonly used for many dental procedures. It may be used for a deep teeth cleaning, to extract a tooth, or for other work you need done. In most cases, all you feel is the prick of the needle, and then pressure as your dentist works on your teeth.

It’s always good to avoid heavy meals before any dental procedure, and with local anesthesia, a light meal a few hours before should be fine. Again, if you know that you become nauseous — for any reason — during a procedure, you may want to refrain from eating much until after you’re done.

Oral Sedation

Can you eat before wisdom tooth extraction local anesthesia
Because oral sedation involves taking medication in pill form, advice may vary from patient to patient on any dietary restrictions. Typically, you’ll be prescribed a medication to take the night before and then another to take shortly before your procedure. In some cases you may have minimal restrictions.

But some patients may be advised to refrain from eating for up to six hours prior to your procedure. Typically clear liquids are fine to drink during this time. Talk to your dentist about what’s right for you, based on the specific medication prescribed and the procedure itself.

IV Sedation

Can you eat before wisdom tooth extraction local anesthesia
IV sedation is typically only used for extremely invasive dental procedures and is one step above general anesthesia. You’re given medication through an IV in your hand that keeps you unaware of what’s going on but able to respond and communicate during your dental procedure. As such, the dietary restrictions are stricter.

Depending on the time of your procedure, you may be told not to eat after midnight or no more than six hours before your procedure. This means no solid, semi-solid, or dairy foods and beverages. You can, usually, drink clear liquids up to two hours before. Your stomach should be empty before your procedure. It’s also recommended that you avoid alcohol up to 24 hours before your appointment.

Conclusion

For most procedures and most forms of dental sedation, you’ll likely have very few dietary restrictions. If your dentist doesn’t mention any, ask to be sure. But sedation that involves strong medication or invasive dental surgery pose different types of risks. As such there is no simple yes or no answer in every situation.

If you use nitrous oxide to feel calm during your teeth cleaning, you may be fine. However, if medications, in general, tend to make you feel sick, avoiding food can prevent stomach upset. Every patient is different, as is every procedure. When in doubt, talk to your dentist to make sure you’re clear on exactly what you should and shouldn’t eat or drink.

Can you eat before local anesthesia wisdom teeth?

You may eat before your surgery. Please brush your teeth before you arrive for your surgery. Take all your regular medications unless otherwise instructed by Dr. Rayher.

Can you eat before a local anesthesia?

If you're having a local anaesthetic, you should be allowed to eat and drink as normal before your procedure.

What happens if you eat before wisdom teeth removal?

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.

How do you prepare for local anesthesia for wisdom teeth?

You Don't Have To Be NPO For 8 Hours Unlike general anesthesia, where you're not allowed to eat or drink anything for 8 hours before your surgery, local anesthesia doesn't affect your body's reflexes. Therefore you can eat or drink as normal before your wisdom teeth removal procedure.