Can you eat, drink coffee and smoke before a tooth extraction?

Key points in brief

  • Before a tooth extraction under local anaesthesia, eat a light meal. You can have your usual coffee or tea. Ideally, give up cigarettes and e-cigarettes from the day before.
  • Take regular medicines at the usual time, unless your doctor has advised otherwise, and bring a list of them. Do not stop any medicine yourself, including those affecting blood clotting.
  • The day before the procedure, do not drink alcohol and try to get a good night's sleep.
  • Plan your transport home and keep the afternoon free. If you have a fever, a new infection or have started a new medicine, call the clinic before leaving home.

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Can you eat before a tooth extraction?

Yes, you can eat before a tooth extraction, and it is actually a good idea. For a planned extraction under local anaesthesia, including a wisdom tooth, you do not need to come on an empty stomach or stop eating beforehand, unless your doctor has advised otherwise. With general anaesthesia, how long you go without food and drink before the procedure is set by the doctor.

After the procedure you cannot eat for a few hours, until the anaesthetic wears off, so the meal you had earlier has to last you longer. Fainting and a drop in blood sugar are among the more common emergencies in a dental practice. A light meal helps you get through the appointment without feeling weak.

A light meal is one that does not leave you feeling heavy - for example a sandwich, a yoghurt, porridge or scrambled eggs. Eat it calmly before you leave home and drink some water or tea with it. If your appointment is in the afternoon, have your usual breakfast and lunch, and a light snack before you set off.

If you have diabetes, eat your usual meal and take your medicines as on any other day, unless the doctor who treats your diabetes has advised otherwise. Skipping a meal while taking medicines that lower blood sugar can make your blood sugar drop too low, so bring your glucose meter and something sweet to the appointment. If your blood sugar has been high recently, tell the surgeon. In poorly controlled diabetes, problems with healing of the wound left by the tooth are more common.

If you have already had the procedure, different tooth extraction aftercare instructions apply - from sleeping and showering to smoking and going back to work.

What to ask the surgeon before the procedure

Most things about preparation can be agreed in advance - at the appointment where the surgeon examines the tooth, assesses the X-ray and sets a date. Ask whether any of your medicines need to be taken differently from usual before the procedure, and whether your long-term condition changes how you should prepare. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, tell the surgeon.

Also ask how long the appointment will take, whether you can go home on your own afterwards, and what to do if you develop a fever or an infection on the day of the procedure. If your appointment is already booked, you can ask all of these questions by phone. Write down the instructions about your medicines straight away, with the day and time to take them, because at home it is easy to mix up which medicine was meant to be taken differently.

What to prepare before the procedure: from a week before to leaving home

A week before the procedure

  • Write down the medicines you take regularly, with their doses, as well as any supplements and medicines bought without a prescription.
  • If you take medicines that affect blood clotting or medicines for osteoporosis, talk to the doctor who prescribed them. If anything needs to change, the doctor will decide. Do not change anything yourself.
  • If the surgeon has ordered tests, have them done when the surgeon said, so that the results are ready on the day of the procedure.
  • Plan how you will get home and keep the afternoon free. After the procedure it is better to rest than to go straight back to your usual duties, and if you feel very anxious, arrange for someone close to you to come with you.

The day before the procedure

  • Do not drink alcohol. It may increase bleeding and make healing more difficult, and it does not mix well with some of the painkillers the doctor may recommend after the procedure.
  • If you smoke, take a break starting that day, and if you cannot manage it, at least cut down on cigarettes and e-cigarettes. Problems with healing of the wound left by the tooth are more common in people who smoke.
  • Try to get a good night's sleep, because a procedure is easier to cope with when you are rested. The evening before can be stressful - especially before your first ever tooth extraction.
  • Have soft, cool or lukewarm food ready at home for when the anaesthetic has worn off. After tooth extractions, it is usual to avoid hot drinks and hard food.

On the morning of the procedure

  • Eat a light meal.
  • You can drink coffee or tea in your usual amount, without an extra cup before you leave home. An extra coffee will not reduce your stress and will not replace breakfast.
  • Take your regular medicines at the usual time, unless your doctor has advised otherwise. A missed dose may upset your blood pressure or blood sugar on the very day of the procedure. If you have been prescribed an antibiotic before the procedure, take it at the time you were told.
  • Brush your teeth thoroughly, as you do every day.

Before you leave home

  • Have your list of medicines with you, along with your test results and any earlier X-rays of your teeth, if you have them.
  • If anything has changed since your last appointment, such as a fever, an infection or a new medicine, call the clinic before you leave home. If you only notice it once you arrive, tell the reception staff.
  • Do not take a painkiller before the procedure without checking with the doctor first. Some of these medicines may increase bleeding. If the tooth hurts, call the clinic and ask which medicine you can take.
  • If you use an asthma inhaler or have a heart medicine that you take when needed, bring it with you. Stress before a procedure can put extra strain on these conditions.

Regular medicines: why any change is up to your doctor

On the day of the procedure, regular medicines are usually taken as normal, and any change is agreed by a doctor who knows your condition and the planned procedure. This applies, for example, to blood pressure, heart, thyroid and diabetes medicines, because stopping them suddenly can unsettle a well-controlled condition. So do not stop medicines based on general lists from the internet. Medicines that affect blood clotting should not be stopped on your own either, and any possible change is discussed with the prescribing doctor and the surgeon.

On your list of medicines, write down the name, the dose and the time you take each one. Also include medicines given rarely, for example an injection or a drip once every six months or once a year, because some osteoporosis medicines are given this way. If you do not remember the names, take photos of the packaging.

If you take or have taken medicines for osteoporosis, tell the surgeon. The risk of jaw bone death (osteonecrosis of the jaw) linked to these medicines is low in osteoporosis treatment, but the surgeon takes it into account when planning the procedure. The longer the treatment lasts, the higher the risk may be. Do not take a break from the medicine on your own. The doctor treating your osteoporosis will discuss with the surgeon how osteoporosis medicines affect procedures in the mouth.

Only some people are given an antibiotic before the procedure, for example people with certain heart conditions. Whether you need one is decided by your doctor. Do not take an antibiotic just in case or from your home medicine cabinet, because it may mask symptoms the doctor needs to see.

Coffee, alcohol, cigarettes and e-cigarettes in the last 24 hours before the procedure

Alcohol and nicotine are best given up from the day before the procedure.

Can you drink coffee before a tooth extraction?

Yes, you can drink coffee in your usual amount before a tooth extraction. Coffee or tea with breakfast, as on any other day, usually does not interfere with the procedure. Do not have it instead of a meal. If you do not drink coffee or only drink it rarely, you should not start on the day of the procedure. Drink water as normal.

Can you drink alcohol the day before a tooth extraction?

It is better not to drink alcohol the day before a tooth extraction, not even a single glass in the evening. Alcohol may increase bleeding and make it harder for the wound to heal. After the procedure the doctor often recommends painkillers, and alcohol does not mix well with some of them. If you drank alcohol the evening before, tell the doctor before the procedure starts. Before you leave the treatment room, the doctor will tell you how long to avoid alcohol after the procedure.

Can you smoke before a tooth extraction?

Ideally, do not smoke cigarettes or e-cigarettes from the day before the procedure, and if you cannot, at least cut down the day before and that morning. Dry socket is more common in smokers. This painful healing problem happens when the tooth socket loses its blood clot. It is not known whether a break beforehand helps, by how much, or how long it should be. Even so, doctors recommend it, because it is unlikely to do harm, and you cannot smoke for a while after the procedure anyway.

An e-cigarette also delivers nicotine, sometimes in a similar amount to cigarettes or more. So treat it the same way as cigarettes.

When to call the clinic instead of coming in for the procedure

Call before you leave home if you have a fever, a cold, a cold sore or another new infection. The doctor will judge whether the procedure can go ahead or whether it is better to postpone it.

Also call if, since your last appointment, you have been given a new medicine, had a dose changed or been in hospital. If you have diabetes, call if your blood sugar in the morning is clearly higher or lower than usual. If the tooth that is due to be removed has started to hurt more and the procedure is still a few days away, call the clinic sooner, without waiting for the booked appointment.

If facial swelling is getting worse or you have a fever, see the nearest available dentist or go to an urgent care service the same day, and come to the clinic for diagnosis and treatment in the days that follow. Difficulty breathing, difficulty swallowing, swelling that spreads down to the neck or a high fever are reasons to call 112 or go to a hospital emergency department.

If you are very afraid of the procedure, call and say so before the day of your appointment. This lets the doctor plan more time and explain the procedure in more detail. If you have ever fainted at the dentist or when having blood taken, say so before the doctor gives the anaesthetic. The doctor can then carry out the procedure with you lying down and check more often how you are feeling.

How to come prepared for your tooth extraction

You can eat before a tooth extraction, so come to a procedure under local anaesthesia after a light meal, with a written list of your medicines. Do not stop regular medicines yourself, take them at the usual time unless your doctor has advised otherwise, and do not take a painkiller without checking with the doctor. From the day before the procedure, give up alcohol, cigarettes and e-cigarettes, and plan your transport home in advance. If anything has changed in your health, call the clinic before you leave home.

Frequently asked questions

Should you brush your teeth before a tooth extraction, and can you use mouthwash?

Yes, brush thoroughly in the morning as you do every day, including between your teeth. You do not need to buy mouthwash specially for the procedure, because it does not replace brushing. Before the procedure, use it only if your doctor recommends it. Also brush gently around the tooth being removed, even if the gum there is sore.

Do you need blood tests before a tooth extraction?

Not every patient needs blood tests before a tooth extraction. The surgeon orders them after talking with you about your conditions and medicines. If you have a long-term condition such as diabetes, bring your latest dated results to the appointment. If tests are ordered, have them done when the surgeon said, so the results are ready for the procedure.

Should dietary supplements and over-the-counter medicines go on your list before the procedure?

Yes. The list should also include supplements, herbal remedies and over-the-counter medicines, including painkillers taken occasionally. Some may increase bleeding, especially with medicines that affect blood clotting. Do not stop them yourself: the surgeon will judge whether any should be paused for a few days. Treat a daily over-the-counter heart medicine as one that affects blood clotting.

Do you need an up-to-date X-ray for a tooth extraction?

Before an extraction, the doctor usually looks at an X-ray, choosing the type after examining you. If you have earlier dental X-rays, even from another practice, bring them. Sometimes they mean the X-ray does not need repeating. For teeth in an unusual position, the doctor may order a cone-beam CT scan, a three-dimensional image of the bone and teeth.

What if stress before the procedure takes away your appetite?

Eat at least something small, such as a yoghurt or a few spoonfuls of porridge, and have a drink. If you really cannot eat anything, tell the reception staff. Stress usually eases quickly after the procedure. A meal beforehand helps you get through the appointment without feeling weak, and afterwards you will not be eating for a few hours.

Do you take your regular medicines at the usual time in the first 24 hours after a tooth extraction?

The timing usually stays the same. Blood pressure, heart and thyroid medicines are taken as on any other day, unless the doctor has advised otherwise. With diabetes, ask your diabetes doctor about your medicine for the hours you cannot eat. Take medicines prescribed after the procedure as the surgeon wrote them down, and ask about anything unclear before you leave.

Is it safe to drive in the first few hours after the procedure?

Safe driving depends on how you feel, how the procedure went and the medicines recommended afterwards. After medicines that reduce your fitness to drive, do not drive the same day. Ideally, plan your transport home before the procedure and talk to the doctor about driving while still at the practice. If you feel weak or dizzy afterwards, do not drive.

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Content and liability disclaimer

This article is informational and educational in nature and does not constitute medical advice, a diagnosis or a therapeutic recommendation — it does not replace a consultation with a specialist. If you are experiencing symptoms, have doubts or are facing a decision about treatment, consult a dentist. The methods described and the data cited are general in nature. The results of scientific studies relate to populations, not to an individual patient. The course and outcome of therapy depend on the individual clinical situation and may vary between patients. No information contained in this article constitutes a guarantee of result. The content has been prepared with due care, based on publicly available medical knowledge and the scientific publications indicated in the Sources section. We do not advise taking or refraining from any health-related action solely on the basis of the content of this article, without prior consultation with a doctor.

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