Preparing for Wisdom Tooth Surgery

Welcome to Northwest Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery. Our priority is to provide compassionate care in the safest surgical environment. Thank you for choosing our practice for your wisdom teeth surgery. Teens and young adults can prepare for surgery by following the guidelines listed below:

  • No eating or drinking after midnight prior to surgery. This is for your safety. The risk of administering anesthesia on a “full stomach” is regurgitation and subsequent obstruction of your airway. This is a very serious complication. Don’t risk it.
  • Be honest about the over-the-counter and prescribed medications that you take. Help us avoid unpleasant or unsafe interactions with anesthesia.
  • Be honest about recreational drug and alcohol use. Believe it or not, a body which is accustomed to drugs and alcohol will pose different challenges. Help us prepare in advance for this challenge.
  • Do not smoke for 12 hours prior to surgery. Better yet, just don’t smoke!
  • Get your room at home ready for your recovery. Charge your tablet, find the remote and gather your pillows. You will be resting for a couple of days, so make the most of it.
  • Stock up on the right food to eat when you return home. We suggest ice cream, smoothies, mashed potatoes and other soft foods.
  • Arrive at the office in comfortable clothing such as sweat pants and t-shirts. Do not wear contacts — opt for glasses instead.
  • Young ladies should pull their hair back, remove nail polish and jewelry, and leave the lipstick at home. You are beautiful just the way you are!
  • Bring your parent(s) to the surgery appointment. You can’t drive yourself home! Your parent or guardian must stay in our office for the duration of your procedure.
  • And, finally, when the surgical assistant summons you from the waiting room, turn your phone off and hand it to your parent(s.) You can’t take the phone in the operatory. You will survive the separation!

If you have additional questions, visit our website for location information and contact your surgeon’s office. We will be happy to help you.