Nosht
Pre-treatment

Preparing for Your Dental Surgery

A practical guide to getting ready for dental surgery: what to do before your appointment, what to bring, and how to set up for a smooth recovery.

5 min read

Urgent help: who to contact

Call 999 or go to A&E now if you have any of these after dental surgery: difficulty breathing, swallowing or speaking; difficulty opening your mouth; or severe swelling spreading to your neck or eye.

Contact your dental team if you have heavy bleeding that will not stop, a fever above 38°C, or severe pain that painkillers do not control. If you cannot reach them, call NHS 111.

Before your surgery

Good preparation makes your surgery safer and your recovery smoother. In the days before your appointment, follow the advice below.

Changes to your health or medicines

  • Tell your dental team about any changes to your health or medicines.
  • If you have started or stopped any medicines since your last visit, contact the practice before your appointment.

Blood-thinning medicines

These include any anticoagulant or antiplatelet medicine, such as:

  • aspirin
  • warfarin
  • clopidogrel
  • ticagrelor
  • prasugrel
  • dipyridamole
  • apixaban
  • rivaroxaban
  • dabigatran
  • edoxaban

If you take one of these, do not stop taking it without advice from your dental team or doctor. Stopping these medicines without advice can be dangerous. Your dental team will tell you how to manage your medicines safely.

Bisphosphonates or denosumab

Tell your dental team if you take, or have taken, medicines for thin, weak bones (osteoporosis). These include alendronate, risedronate, ibandronate, zoledronic acid and denosumab (Prolia). They can affect how your jawbone heals after surgery. They can also raise the risk of a condition called medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ).

Eating before your appointment

  • If you are having sedation, see the eating and drinking advice in the sedation section below.
  • If you are not having sedation, eat a light meal before your appointment. Having something in your stomach makes you less likely to feel faint.

Alcohol

  • Avoid alcohol for at least 24 hours before surgery.

If you are having sedation

If you are having sedation into a vein (IV) or by mouth (oral), these instructions are vital for your safety. Your practice will give you written instructions. Follow them exactly:

  • Eating and drinking. Your practice will tell you whether you need to change what you eat or drink before sedation. Most people having conscious sedation can have a light meal on the day, but avoid alcohol and large meals. If you have been given fasting instructions, follow them exactly.
  • Arrange for a responsible adult to come with you, take you home and stay with you for the rest of the day. You cannot take a taxi or public transport alone.
  • For 24 hours after sedation, you must not drive, use machinery or make important decisions.
  • Do not drink alcohol for 24 hours before your appointment.
  • Your usual medicines. Take your routine medicines on the day as normal unless your dental team or doctor tells you otherwise. If you have diabetes, ask the sedation team how to manage your medicines and meals on the day.

What to bring and wear

  • Bring a list of all the medicines you take now.
  • Bring any documents or forms the practice has sent you.
  • Wear loose, comfortable clothes. If you are having sedation, avoid tight sleeves, as a small tube will be put into a vein (IV access).
  • If you are having sedation, remove nail varnish from at least one finger. This is for the clip that checks your pulse and oxygen (pulse oximeter).
  • Leave jewellery at home, especially face piercings.
  • Arrange childcare or pet care so you can rest properly afterwards.

Getting your home ready for recovery

Before your appointment, get ready for a comfortable recovery:

  • Stock up on soft foods, such as soup, yoghurt, mashed potato, scrambled eggs and smoothies (no straws).
  • Have painkillers you can buy in a shop (ibuprofen and paracetamol) ready at home.
  • Adults: follow the dose on the packet. Children: use children's paracetamol or ibuprofen and give the dose on the packet for their age. Check with a pharmacist, dentist or doctor before you take ibuprofen if you have asthma, have had a stomach ulcer, have heart, kidney or liver problems, take blood-thinning medicines, or are pregnant.
  • Have clean gauze pads or clean cotton cloths ready to bite on if needed.
  • Set up a comfortable place to rest with your head slightly raised.
  • If you were prescribed antibiotics or other medicines before surgery, check you have them ready.
  • If you smoke, plan to stop. Stop for at least the 48–72 hours after surgery, and longer if you can.

Questions to ask before your surgery

  • Do I need to follow any fasting or medicine instructions for my treatment?
  • Will I need someone to drive me home?
  • How long should I rest before going back to work or exercise?
  • Will I get a prescription for antibiotics or painkillers for afterwards?
  • What warning signs should I watch for after my treatment?

Warning signs to watch for after surgery

After any dental surgery, contact the practice or get urgent dental care (NHS 111 if the practice is closed) if you have:

  • Heavy bleeding that does not stop after 30 minutes of firm pressure
  • Swelling that is getting bigger after 48 hours, rather than going down
  • Severe pain that prescribed or advised painkillers do not control
  • A high temperature (above 38°C)
  • Difficulty opening your mouth
  • Numbness that has not worn off more than 6 hours after your treatment

For dental emergencies out of hours, call NHS 111. For difficulty breathing, speaking or swallowing, or swelling spreading to your neck, under your tongue or around your eye, call 999 or go to A&E.

This leaflet is for general information only and does not replace professional dental advice. It is intended to support — not replace — the discussion with your dental team about your individual options, risks, and treatment plan. Treatment outcomes vary between patients depending on individual circumstances. Your dental team will confirm exact fees and what is suitable for your specific circumstances before you agree to any treatment.

Sources

Links checked 18 October 2026.

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