Wisdom teeth extraction is a common oral surgery procedure that often requires sedation or general anesthesia. Patient safety is the primary concern when undergoing any procedure involving anesthesia. This requires specific preparations, including removing personal items and cosmetics that could interfere with patient monitoring or the surgical process itself. Following these pre-operative guidelines helps medical staff maintain continuous oversight of your health throughout the procedure.
Facial Makeup Restrictions and Vital Sign Monitoring
Patients should arrive for surgery with a clean, bare face, avoiding foundation, blush, and lipstick. This restriction allows medical staff to continuously monitor circulation and oxygen levels during sedation. The natural tone of your skin and lips provides immediate, visible clues about your physiological status. Makeup can obscure important physical indicators, such as paleness (pallor), which signals circulation issues, or a blue tint (cyanosis), which indicates low oxygen saturation. A clean face allows for immediate visual assessment of these vital signs, enabling a rapid response to any complications.
Non-Facial Cosmetics and Adornments
Several other cosmetic items and adornments must be removed before the procedure because they interfere with standard safety protocols. One common requirement is the removal of nail polish or artificial nails, including gels and acrylics. These materials interfere with the pulse oximeter, a small device clipped onto a finger to measure blood oxygen levels (SpO2). Dark or opaque nail polishes can block or scatter the light the oximeter shines through the nail bed. This interference can result in inaccurate readings, potentially delaying the recognition of true changes in your oxygen saturation.
All jewelry and piercings, especially those on the face or in the mouth, must be removed. Metal can interfere with imaging, and if electrocautery is used, metal jewelry can conduct electricity and cause skin burns. Oral and facial piercings also pose a risk of being accidentally ingested or aspirated if they become loose during the procedure. Contact lenses should also be removed prior to surgery and replaced with glasses. While under sedation, the blinking reflex is suppressed, which can lead to corneal dryness, irritation, or damage to the lenses themselves.
Immediate Post-Surgery Hygiene
Avoid reapplying any facial cosmetics until the day after the surgery. The surgical sites are open wounds, and applying makeup too soon, particularly around the mouth, can introduce bacteria and increase the risk of infection. When reapplying, ensure your hands and all applicators are clean. Be mindful of facial swelling, which often peaks two or three days after the procedure. Also, for the first 24 to 72 hours, refrain from causing suction in the mouth, such as avoiding straws and aggressive rinsing, to prevent dry socket.