Can you eat before getting your wisdom teeth out

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

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.

Steps to prepare for oral surgery

The day of your wisdom tooth extraction or dental implants is coming up soon. Are you ready?

Table of Contents Show

Steps to prepare for oral surgery
BEFORE INTRAVENOUS ANESTHESIA SEDATION
Local Anesthesia
Nitrous Oxide
Intravenous IV
What happens if you eat before wisdom teeth removal?
Is it OK to eat before tooth extraction?
Can I eat before my wisdom surgery?
Can you eat 8 hours before wisdom teeth?

Schedule time off from work or school, to correspond with when you'll be recovering. Time varies from one patient to the next.
Prepare a comfortable area in your home to rest and enjoy a relaxing form of entertainment, such as watching TV. The effects of the anesthesia can take up to 24 hours to wear off completely.
Make sure you have some cold packs at home, and your supply of over the counter pain medication. Apply ice packs to your face for 15 minutes on and then 15 minutes off to reduce swelling.
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.
Arrive 20 minutes early to give yourself time to complete any last-minute paperwork, and to relax for a few moments prior to the surgery.
A person 18 years or older must accompany you on the day of the surgery. The accompanying person must be PRESENT in the waiting area during the surgery they may not leave the facility. Transportation must be available and onsite during your procedure.
Stick to a liquid and/or soft foods for the first day or two. Examples include soups, yogurts, fruit milkshakes, smoothies and mashed potatoes.

BEFORE INTRAVENOUS ANESTHESIA SEDATION

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. The negative effects of tobacco last up to two weeks after smoking cessation.
A responsible adult must accompany the patient to the office, remain in the office during the procedure, and drive the patient home.
The patient should not drive a vehicle or operate any machinery for 24 hours following the anesthesia experience.
Please wear loose fitting clothing with sleeves which can be rolled up past the elbow, and low-heeled shoes.
Contact lenses, jewelry, and dentures must be removed at the time of surgery.
Do not wear lipstick, excessive makeup, or nail polish on the day of surgery.
If you have an illness such as a cold, sore throat, stomach or bowel upset, please notify the office.
If you take routine oral medications, please check with your doctor prior to your surgical date for instructions.

One of the most common questions our team fields when a client is faced with an impending oral surgery date is “what am I allowed eat or drink before my surgery?” This is an important question, as the food and drink that is ingested prior to a surgery can greatly affect the body’s interaction with administered anesthesia. Your oral surgeon will be able to give you specific guidelines regarding what you can eat and drink, and when.

This information is based on a combination of your general tolerance to anesthesia, as well as the type of sedative that will be used during your surgery. The following are three basic anesthesia types, and the corresponding dietary restrictions to heed when faced with oral surgery.

Local Anesthesia

A local anesthesia, or “local,” as it is commonly called, only affects the immediate area in which it is administered. A shot or topical numbing agent is an example of a local anesthetic. In this case, it is often advised that the patient refrain from eating for at least three hours prior to the oral surgery appointment – and it is beneficial if the meal is light.

Nitrous Oxide

Another popular sedative used during oral surgery is nitrous oxide. Commonly known as “laughing gas” due to its often-humorous side effect, nitrous oxide delivers a potent yet safe dose of euphoria that can make the patient less sure of their surroundings. One of the benefits of nitrous, when it comes to dietary restrictions, is the fact that the patient may eat a light meal up until three or four hours before their oral surgery time. This adds some flexibility to the appointment.

Intravenous IV

This method delivers the heaviest level of sedation for longer or more involved oral surgery procedures. IV sedation often leaves the patient unaware of their surroundings and they typically have little to no memory of the surgery. The anesthetic must be administered on an empty stomach; so stricter dietary guidelines must be followed to ensure safety and effectiveness. The basic rule of thumb is to refrain from eating during the day of the surgery if the procedure is scheduled on or before 2pm. If it will begin after 2pm, a light breakfast consisting of no more than 8 ounces of fluids may be consumed – at least six hours before the procedure. Stay away from sugar and milk if you are going to eat breakfast.

Your oral surgeon will tailor your diet plan to your specific needs, as well as to the level of anesthetic that you will likely encounter. Though it may seem straightforward, it is crucial that you follow the guidance of the oral surgeon’s pre operative instructions and adhere to the diet plan – you’ll enjoy a safer surgery and a more pleasant experience.

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.

Is it OK to eat before tooth extraction?

Generally speaking, you should avoid eating anything for 12 hours prior to the surgery. This can help prevent nausea during and after the procedure. If you are having a local anesthetic, you may not need to fast as long so be sure to inquire before the treatment.

Can I eat before my wisdom surgery?

The patient going under sedation simply needs to refrain from eating or drinking anything 12 hours before their procedure. By having a completely empty stomach, you'll have no stomach contents to vomit, and no material for your lungs to aspirate.

Can you eat 8 hours before wisdom teeth?

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.