Your Essential Guide: Fasting Before Sleep Dentistry

If you’re getting ready for a dental procedure that involves sleep dentistry (like sedation or general anesthesia), following specific eating and drinking rules beforehand is incredibly important. These rules are for your safety and help make sure your procedure goes smoothly. Think of this as your step-by-step guide to prepare.

Content:

1. Why Fasting is a Must for Your Safety
2. Fasting Guidelines for Sleep Dentistry at Greenwoods Dental & Surgical Centres
3. Important Reminders: Debunking Fasting Myths
4. Beyond Fasting: Other Key Instructions from Greenwoods
5. What Happens if You Don’t Follow Instructions?
6. Special Considerations: Talk to Your Dental Team
7. Conclusion: Your Safety is Our Priority

Why Fasting is a Must for Your Safety

When you receive anesthesia or deep sedation, your body’s natural reflexes, like coughing or gagging, become very relaxed. Your stomach muscles also relax. If there’s food or liquid in your stomach, it could come back up and accidentally go into your lungs. This is called aspiration.

Aspiration can lead to serious problems like:

• Aspiration pneumonia: A lung infection.
• Hypoxia: Dangerously low oxygen levels in your body.
• Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS): Severe damage to your breathing system.

By following fasting guidelines, you help prevent these risks, making your dental experience much safer. Fasting also helps reduce nausea and vomiting after anesthesia and makes the anesthesia work more predictably.

Fasting Guidelines for Sleep Dentistry

At Greenwoods Dental & Surgical Centres, specific and strict fasting guidelines are in place for all patients (adults and children) undergoing procedures with general anesthesia or sedation. Always follow these specific instructions given by your Greenwoods dental team, as they take precedence over general recommendations.

For Adults and Children Undergoing Sleep Dentistry:

What You Consume	When to Stop
All Food and Unclear Liquids (e.g., milk, juice with pulp)	After midnight the evening before your surgery.
Clear Liquids Only (water, clear broth, plain tea/coffee, clear sports drinks)	You may be allowed clear liquids up to 2 hours before your scheduled arrival time. However, it is safest to follow the “after midnight” rule for all intake unless specifically instructed otherwise by your Greenwoods team.

Important: If you consume anything (food or drink) after the instructed time, your procedure will be cancelled or postponed for your safety. This is a critical safety measure.

Important Reminders: Debunking Fasting Myths

Let’s clear up some common misunderstandings about fasting:

Myth 1: Fasting is only for major surgery

Fact: Fasting is needed any time you receive anesthesia or deep sedation, even for “minor” dental work. It’s about how anesthesia affects your body, not the size of the procedure.

Myth 2: You can’t have any water or liquids

Fact: While the primary rule is no food or unclear liquids after midnight, your Greenwoods team may allow clear liquids up to 2 hours before. Always confirm this with them directly.

Myth 3: Eat a big meal before you start fasting

Fact: Don’t “carb-load” or eat heavy, fatty, or fried foods right before your fast. These take much longer to digest and increase aspiration risk. Eat a light, balanced meal instead, but stop well before midnight.

Myth 4: A small snack won’t matter

Fact: Even a tiny amount of food or a sip of milk in coffee can be dangerous if it’s still in your stomach when anesthesia affects your reflexes. Be completely honest with your Greenwoods team about anything you’ve consumed, no matter how small.

Beyond Fasting: Other Key Instructions from Greenwoods

Fasting is just one part of preparing for sleep dentistry. Follow all these instructions carefully:

For Adult Patients:

• Medications:
  • Take your usual blood pressure and heart medications (if applicable) the morning of the surgery with a small sip of water.
  • Diabetic patients should NOT take morning insulin or diabetic medications.
  • Bring all your current medications, in their original containers, with you on the day of your surgery.
  • Ensure you have a history and physical examination completed by your physician within three months of your surgery date.
• Arrival Time: Please arrive at least 30 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment. Note that arrival and surgery times are subject to change.
• Payment: Payment is due in full at the time of your appointment. Greenwoods accepts DEBIT, Cash, and CREDIT (note: a 3% surcharge applies to credit card payments). No personal cheques are accepted.
• Accompaniment: A responsible adult MUST accompany you to your appointment, remain in the dental office throughout your appointment, and drive you home afterwards. You cannot use public transit or a taxi. This adult must also supervise you for 24 hours after surgery. Failure to have an escort present, or if your escort leaves midway through the appointment, will result in a $1000 fee. A city-wide shuttle service is available for transportation if needed.
• Personal Items & Hygiene:
  • Have a bath or shower before coming to your appointment.
  • Wear loose, casual clothing (e.g., short sleeve t-shirt, tank top) that allows easy access to both arms. Wear comfortable flat-heeled shoes.
  • Do not wear any make-up.
  • Remove any contacts prior to treatment.
  • Remove any nail polish or artificial nails on both index fingers.
  • Do not bring any valuables.
  • All piercings MUST be removed.
  • False teeth will have to be removed.
  • Greenwoods assumes no responsibility for loss of personal belongings, including glasses, dentures, and hearing aids.
• Smoking: It is advised not to smoke three to four days prior to your surgery.
• Change in Health: If your general health deteriorates (e.g., cold, cough, fever) contact the dental office within 48 hours of your scheduled surgery.

For Pediatric Patients:

• Fasting: As noted above, no food or unclear liquids after midnight.
• Confirmation Call: Greenwoods will contact you 48 hours prior to your child’s scheduled appointment for confirmation.
• Medications: Your child’s doctor will advise on how to take regular medications.
• Accompaniment: A parent or legal guardian MUST accompany your child and remain in the dental office throughout the appointment. This person must also drive your child home and supervise them for 24 hours after surgery. Failure to have an escort present, or if your escort leaves midway, will result in a $1000 fee.
• Personal Items & Hygiene:
  • Bring a comfort item for your child (e.g., favorite blanket, small toy).
  • Dress your child in comfortable, loose-fitting clothing (pajamas, track/sweatpants, and a t-shirt). Avoid one-piece clothing for young children. Older clothing is recommended due to potential stains. Bring a second set of clothing.
  • If your child wears diapers/pull-ups, bring fresh ones and a backup pair.
  • Do not brush your child’s teeth in the morning of the appointment. Greenwoods staff will do the brushing. It’s more important that no water gets into your child’s system than anything else.
• Change in Health: If your child’s general health deteriorates (e.g., cold, cough, fever), contact Greenwoods Dental & Surgical Centres immediately.

What Happens if You Don’t Follow Instructions?

Not following these guidelines can have serious consequences:

• Cancellation or Delay: Your procedure will likely be cancelled or delayed to ensure your safety. This is a common reason for delays and is done solely for your well-being.
• Health Risks: The most serious risk is pulmonary aspiration, which can lead to severe lung infections like pneumonia.
• Fees:
  • A $500 retainer fee will be charged for cancellations without sufficient notice or for a missed appointment.
  • A $1000 fee will be charged if your escort does not accompany you or leaves midway through the appointment.
• Wasted Time and Money: Cancellations cause stress for you and your family, wasted resources for the dental office, and can lead to long waits for a new appointment.

Special Considerations: Talk to Your Dental Team

Fasting rules and pre-procedure instructions can be different for certain patients. Always discuss your specific health needs with your Greenwoods dental team.

• Diabetic Patients: Fasting can affect blood sugar levels. If you have diabetes, you must talk to your Greenwoods surgeon or dentist about how to manage your insulin or other medications and monitor your blood sugar. Remember: Do NOT take morning insulin or diabetic medications unless specifically instructed.
• Other Medical Conditions: If you have any other complex medical conditions, discuss them thoroughly with your Greenwoods team. They may need to adjust your preparation plan.

Conclusion: Your Safety is Our Priority

Fasting and following all pre-procedure instructions before sleep dentistry are vital safety steps. They help protect you from serious complications and ensure a smooth procedure.

Always follow the exact instructions from your Greenwoods dental team. If you accidentally eat or drink something you shouldn’t have, or if you have any changes in health, be honest with them immediately. Your transparency helps them make the safest decisions for you. Don’t hesitate to ask any questions you have about fasting or anesthesia.

By following these guidelines and communicating openly with your Greenwoods dental care providers, you play a key role in ensuring a safe and successful dental experience. Your well-being is always the top priority.