What pill do they give you before wisdom teeth removal

  • Take all of your regular medications with a minimal amount of water unless you are instructed to do otherwise by a doctor in this office or your primary medical doctor.
  • If you are scheduled to have intravenous sedation: You may not have anything to eat or drink for 8 hours before your appointment. For morning surgery, no food or liquids after midnight the night before surgery. Clear liquids (anything you can see through) may be taken up to 4 hours before surgery.
  • If you are scheduled to have nitrous oxide analgesia (N2O): You may not have anything to eat or drink (including water) for 3 hours before the appointment unless otherwise directed.
  • No smoking for at least 12 hours before surgery. Ideally, cut down or stop smoking as soon as possible before the day of surgery.
  • A responsible adult must accompany the patient to the office, remain in the office during the procedure, and drive the patient home.
  • Plan to rest for the remainder of the surgery day. The patient should not drive a vehicle, operate any machinery, or make important decisions for 24 hours following intravenous anesthesia.
  • Please wear loose-fitting clothing with sleeves that can be rolled up past the elbow and low-heeled shoes.
  • Contact lenses, jewelry, and dentures must be removed before surgery.
  • Do not wear lipstick, excessive makeup, or nail polish on the day of surgery.
  • The use of alcohol or recreational drugs can have an adverse effect on the anesthesia medications that we use. Please discontinue the use of such for at least 72 hours before your procedure.
  • If you have an illness such as a cold, sore throat, or stomach or bowel upset, please notify the office.
  • If, for some reason, you are unable to keep your surgery appointment, we request 48 hours’ notice of cancellation.

Women, please note: Some antibiotics may interfere with the effectiveness of your birth control pills. Please check with your pharmacist.

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Did you ever wonder why you have to fill out a medical history form at the dentist’s office? After all, he’s just fixing your teeth, right? Actually, the health of your mouth is intimately connected to your general health. Similarly, the state of your general health can amplify the risks associated with certain types of dental care, especially the complex or invasive care offered by an oral surgeon or general dentist who practices oral surgery. Today, we’re looking at two types of premedication commonly used in advance of dental surgery.

Premedication with Antibiotics

Certain dental procedures, ranging from a basic scaling and root planing for gum disease on up to extracting teeth and placing dental implants, require the dentist, hygienist, or oral surgeon to “invade” your body. Because these procedures occur inside the mouth, which is naturally teeming with microbes, the chance for bacteria to enter your bloodstream is high. In a healthy person, this doesn’t pose a problem: your body’s natural immune response will attack and destroy any microbial threat. However, if your immune system is compromised in any way, your body cannot adequately fight these new bacteria and the risk of infection increases.

To combat this phenomenon, most dentists will prescribe antibiotics to be taken before a procedure, as well as a course of antibiotics to take after the procedure. Antibiotics will help the body fight off infection so that you stay healthy and your dental treatment is a success. Conditions which usually require premedication with antibiotics include:

  • Recent heart surgery.
  • Heart murmur or other congenital heart problems.
  • History of infective endocarditis.
  • Joint replacement surgery.

Premedication with Oral Sedation

Not all instances of premedication before oral surgery depend on the patient’s medical history. For example, sedation dentistry using oral sedatives (known commonly as “oral sedation”) is entirely elective. Patients who experience dental fear and anxiety, those who have a very sensitive gag reflex, and those with a complex treatment plan might elect to premedicate with oral sedatives. Oral sedation protocol has the patient take one or two doses of anti-anxiety medication an hour before their appointment. The medication induces a deep sense of relaxation and detachment that lasts through the appointment and for a few hours afterward.

About Shawn Hofkes, DDS

With advanced training in oral and maxillofacial surgery and certification in oral and IV sedation, Shawn Hofkes, DDS provides advanced oral surgery services from our state-of-the-art dentist office in Cerritos, CA. To schedule your appointment or consultation with Dr. Hofkes, contact us today. We proudly serve patients of all ages from Cerritos, Lakewood, Long Beach, Buena Park, and all surrounding communities.