Wisdom teeth extraction is a highly common outpatient surgical procedure often performed under sedation or general anesthesia. Proper preparation extends beyond dietary restrictions, encompassing personal items and the patient’s appearance on the day of surgery. Adhering to pre-operative instructions helps ensure the safest possible environment for the surgical team and the patient. Understanding these guidelines, which relate to hygiene and physiological monitoring, is an important step in preparing for the procedure.
Why Facial Cosmetics Are Prohibited
Facial cosmetics, such as foundation, heavy moisturizers, and blush, are prohibited before sedation for patient safety reasons. Anesthesiologists and surgical staff rely on visual cues to assess a patient’s circulatory status and oxygen levels during the procedure. The natural color of the skin, especially around the lips and nail beds, provides immediate, non-instrumental feedback on blood flow and oxygenation.
A layer of makeup can significantly mask changes in skin tone, such as pallor (paleness) or cyanosis (a bluish tint), which are early indicators of decreased oxygen saturation or poor circulation. This visual interference delays the surgical team’s ability to recognize and respond to a potentially serious physiological change. The face must be completely clear of such products to allow for an accurate and immediate visual assessment throughout the surgery.
Specific products like lipstick or heavy lip gloss pose a distinct problem because the membranes of the lips are highly vascular and sensitive indicators of oxygen status. Furthermore, some specialized monitoring equipment, such as reflection pulse oximeters, may be temporarily placed on the earlobe or face. The chemical compounds in certain cosmetics can potentially interfere with the accurate functioning of these sensitive optical sensors.
Other Items Near the Surgical Site
Items physically located near the surgical field, distinct from cosmetics, must also be addressed before the procedure begins.
Piercings
Oral and facial piercings, including tongue, lip, or nose jewelry, must be completely removed to prevent complications. These metal objects pose a risk of damage to the teeth or soft tissues if they are accidentally caught by surgical instruments or become aspirated during deep sedation.
Contact Lenses
Contact lenses should be removed prior to surgery because the eyes may become dry or irritated while the patient is under sedation and unable to blink normally. Furthermore, the surgical field is often covered with sterile drapes, and the inability to correct lens discomfort could lead to corneal abrasion or irritation. Patients who require vision correction should wear prescription eyeglasses to the appointment, but they will be asked to remove them just before entering the operating suite.
Lip Products
Lip balms and glosses are discouraged because they can compromise the sterile environment needed for the oral surgery. The slick or oily residue from these products can interfere with the secure placement of sterile adhesive drapes around the mouth. Keeping the face and lips clean and dry helps maintain sterility and ensures that necessary suction or monitoring equipment can be properly positioned.
General Aesthetic Guidelines
Restrictions extend beyond the facial area to include general aesthetic items that might affect monitoring or safety during the procedure.
Metal Jewelry
All forms of metal jewelry, including rings, necklaces, and watches, must be removed before the patient is brought into the surgical room. This precaution is primarily due to the potential use of electrocautery devices, which utilize an electrical current to control bleeding. Metal objects worn on the body can potentially conduct this electrical current, creating a risk of a localized burn to the patient’s skin where the metal touches. Furthermore, jewelry can harbor bacteria, presenting a potential hygiene concern within the sterile surgical environment. It is best practice to leave all valuables and unnecessary accessories at home to prevent loss or damage.
Nail Enhancements
Nail enhancements, such as dark nail polish, gel, or acrylic overlays, are restricted for any procedure involving sedation. These products interfere with the accurate functioning of the pulse oximeter, a device placed on the fingertip to measure heart rate and oxygen saturation. The light emitted by the device must pass through the nail bed to read the blood color. An opaque covering can scatter the light, leading to artificially low or inaccurate readings.