Preoperative Instructions – Asheville, NC

Do you have a dental surgery coming up? Whether it’s wisdom teeth extraction, bone grafting, or dental implants, it’s important to follow our pre-op instructions to ensure the success of your surgery. Dr. John White is a skilled and experienced surgeon who wants all of his patients to have the information they need to stay healthy. Read on to learn some helpful instructions on how to make your surgery go as smoothly as it can.

Leading Up to Your Surgery

When you’re a week or two away from your surgery, you should:

• Ensure that you have a trusted friend or family member to take you to and from the oral surgeon near you. Let them know what type of surgery you’re receiving and tell them how long it will take. This option is much safer and less stressful than using a taxi or Uber, and they can help you get situated once you’re home.
• Avoid the use of tobacco products or smoking. While we know it can be hard, we recommend that patients quit at least 2 weeks before surgery.
• Fill any prescriptions we give you before the surgery because you’ll still be groggy from your sedation after the procedure.
• Make sure that you give yourself enough time to recover after surgery. You may want to take a day or two off of work or schedule your surgery on a Friday to give yourself the weekend to relax.
• Contact our office to ensure that we have your latest medical records, medical history, and any current medications that you may be on.

On the Day of Your Surgery

Here are some helpful guidelines to follow on the day of your surgery:

• The first step is to give your mouth a thorough cleaning before going in for surgery. Brushing and flossing prior to your procedure will decrease chance of infection or other issues.
• You should eat nothing for at least 6 hours before surgery. That means if you have an operation in the morning, you’ll have to stop eating around midnight the day before. If you need to drink something to take your medication, drink water but only small sips.
• Be sure to wear comfortable, loose clothes. We usually recommend a short-sleeved shirt for the day of your surgery. Also, avoid wearing anything around your neck, jewelry, makeup, or hair products.
• If we have given you a sedative to take before your operation, take it about an hour prior. That way, you’ll already be relaxed as you’re getting into our dental chair.

If you have any questions or would like to schedule a consultation, contact our oral surgeon in Asheville to get started!