A Step-by-Step Guide to Preparing for Oral Surgery

Just the thought of having oral surgery can make even the calmest people feel uneasy and anxious. In fact, research finds that around 15% of adults experience dental fear and anxiety. Whether it's getting a wisdom tooth pulled, receiving a dental implant, or correcting a jaw problem, oral surgery consistently ranks as the most nerve-wracking dental procedure. 

Much of that fear comes from not knowing what to expect. When you walk in prepared and knowing what to expect before your surgery, including how the anesthesia and recovery will feel, the whole experience becomes far more manageable. 

Read on to learn everything you need to know before oral surgery, from the best oral surgeons in Los Angeles. 

Four Tips for Preparing for Oral Surgery

A little preparation makes a real difference in how you feel going into oral surgery and how well you recover coming out. From what you eat the night before to setting up your home for rest, small steps taken ahead of time add up quickly. Here is what you need to know before your procedure:

1. What to Eat and Not Eat Before Oral Surgery

One of the first questions patients ask before oral surgery is simple: “When can I eat after having oral surgery?” The answer depends on the type of anesthesia your oral surgeon plans to use. If your procedure involves IV sedation or general anesthesia, you will need to stop eating and drinking, including water, for at least six to eight hours before surgery. This is very important because when your body is under anesthesia, the normal reflexes that keep food and liquid out of your lungs are suppressed, and eating too close to surgery can cause a life-threatening complication called aspiration. 

If your procedure only requires local anesthesia, fasting rules are usually less strict, but your oral surgeon will still give you specific instructions to follow. Typically, you’ll want to eat a light, easy-to-digest meal and drink plenty of water before your cutoff time. You’ll also want to avoid alcohol, which can interfere with anesthesia, and skip anything heavy or greasy that might leave you feeling sick. 

2. What to Expect from Anesthesia and Dental Sedation

Understanding your anesthesia options makes oral surgery far less intimidating. There are four main types used in oral surgery: 

• Local anesthesia, which numbs only the area being treated, while you stay fully awake
• Nitrous oxide, commonly called laughing gas, which takes the edge off dental anxiety while keeping you conscious
• Conscious sedation, which uses IV sedation that puts you in a deeply relaxed, drowsy state
• General anesthesia, which renders you fully unconscious

The type of sedation used will depend on the complexity of your procedure and your personal comfort level. If you have had a bad reaction to anesthesia in the past, or if you take medications that could interact with sedatives, you should tell your oral surgeon before the day of your procedure. One important logistical note: if your procedure involves anything more than local anesthesia, you will not be allowed to drive yourself home. You’ll need a responsible adult to drive you and stay with you for at least 24 hours. 

3. How to Set Up Your Recovery Space Before Surgery Day

The best thing you can do for your recovery is prepare your home before you go in for surgery. After oral surgery, even a simple errand like going to the pharmacy can be too much. Here’s a quick list of things you should do before surgery to make recovery easier: 

• Fill any prescribed medications, including pain relievers, antibiotics, or anti-inflammatories, the day before your procedure so they are ready when you get home. 
• Stock your kitchen with soft foods that require little to no chewing. Ideas include: yogurt, applesauce, mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, smoothies, and broth-based soups are all good options. Avoid foods with small pieces, like rice or seeds, that could get lodged in the surgical site. 
• Set up a comfortable area to rest with extra pillows to keep your head elevated above your heart, which helps reduce swelling. 
• Have ice packs or a bag of frozen peas nearby for the first 24 hours. 
• If you live alone or have young children to care for, arrange for a family member or friend to stay with you for at least the first day. 

4. What to Do the Day Before and Morning of Surgery

You’ll need to start preparing for surgery at least 24 hours before by:

• Avoiding alcohol and tobacco for at least a full day
• Get a full night of sleep 
• Call the oral surgery center to go over any last-minute questions and instructions

On the morning of surgery: 

• Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing
• Wear a shirt with short sleeves or sleeves you can easily roll up if you’ll be getting an IV started
• Skip contacts if general anesthesia is being used, and leave jewelry at home
• Do not wear nail polish on your fingers or toes, since some monitoring equipment reads oxygen levels through your nails
• Confirm your ride
• Double-check your arrival time
• Bring your photo ID and insurance card

Discover the Best Oral Surgeons in Los Angeles for Maxillofacial Surgery

Preparing for oral surgery does not have to be stressful. Most patients find that the procedure itself goes faster than most patients expect, and a smooth recovery starts well before they ever sit down in the chair.

At Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in Los Angeles, we take helping you prepare for surgery and managing your pain and recovery after surgery seriously. We know that fear of discomfort is one of the biggest reasons people put off procedures they actually need, so we use the most effective anesthesia and dental sedation options available to make sure you feel as little discomfort as possible during your surgery. 

With convenient locations across South Bay and West Los Angeles, our expert team of oral surgeons, Dr. Sapna Lohiya, Dr. Abraham J. Estess, and Dr. Jeffrey L. Donlevy, offers precision oral surgery skills that reduce trauma to surrounding tissue, which means less swelling, less pain, and a faster road back to feeling like yourself. 

Ready to trust your oral and maxillofacial surgery to the best oral surgeons in Los Angeles?