Before Anesthesia

Following the doctors’ orders before anesthesia is administered is vital to ensuring your surgical procedure goes as smoothly as possible. Please take a minute to read through our list of dos and don’ts.

• Do not eat or drink anything (including water) for 8 hours prior to your appointment.
• No smoking at least 12 hours before surgery. We recommend cutting down or stopping smoking as soon as possible prior to the day of surgery.
• A responsible adult must bring you to the office, remain in the office during the procedure, and you home.
• You should not drive a vehicle or operate any machinery for 24 hours following the anesthesia.
• Please wear loose fitting clothing with sleeves that can be rolled up past your elbow, and low-heeled shoes.
• Contact lenses, jewelry, and dentures must be removed before the surgery.
• Do not wear lipstick, excessive makeup, or any nail polish on the day of surgery.
• If you have an illness such as a cold, sore throat, stomach, or bowel upset – please let us know.
• If you take routine oral medications, please check with Dr. Karlis prior to your surgical date for instructions.

Extractions

Are your teeth overcrowding your mouth? Do you have a tooth that is at an increased risk for infection? We can help! If you’ve suffered from trauma to your tooth or tooth decay, extraction is a great option to eliminate your pain and discomfort. 

Whether you’re in need of a single extraction, multiple extraction, or wisdom teeth extractions, Dr. Karlis has the credentials you need in a health care provider to ensure you’re taken care of to the fullest extent!

After tooth extraction care:

After your tooth is extracted it is important for a blood clot to form in order to stop the bleeding and begin the healing process. You will be asked to bite on a gauze pad for 30 – 45 minutes after your extraction. If the bleeding or oozing persists, change the gauze pad and bite firmly for another 30 minutes. This may need to be done several times to stop the bleeding.

You may experience some pain and swelling. Apply an ice pack to reduce swelling, and take your pain medications as prescribed. Swelling normally diminishes after 48 hours. If you're prescribed antibiotics, continue to take them for the instructed length of time, even when signs of symptoms and infections are gone.