Why to Avoid Marijuana, Alcohol and Smoking Before Surgery

Preparing for oral surgery involves following all the instructions of your oral and maxillofacial surgeon (OMS). These instructions may include changing certain lifestyle choices and habits that may affect overall health and surgical success. Avoiding marijuana, alcohol and smoking before oral and maxillofacial surgery plays an important role in making the surgery safe and successful.

Effects of Marijuana on Oral Surgery

Using marijuana can negatively affect the body during and after an oral surgical procedure in the following ways:

Impaired healing: Because marijuana affects blood vessels and immune function, it can affect the body’s ability to heal properly after oral surgery – increasing the risk of complications such as infection and delayed healing.
Anesthesia interactions: Marijuana can interact with anesthesia, causing unpredictable reactions or impairing the effectiveness of anesthesia. These reactions may affect surgical safety and comfort.
Increased bleeding: Marijuana use can interfere with blood clotting and cause excessive bleeding during and after surgery. Excessive bleeding can prolong the procedure, impede healing and increase the risk of complications.
Pain control: You may need higher doses or more frequent doses of pain medication if you are a regular user of marijuana, especially if used for chronic pain.

Effects of Alcohol on Oral Surgery

Alcohol consumption before and/or after oral surgery can have the following negative effects:

Impaired healing: Alcohol consumption impairs the body’s immune response and increases the risk of postoperative infections, which can impede the healing process. Alcohol also may interfere with the normal clotting process, which can cause excessive bleeding and delayed healing.
Drug interactions: Alcohol can interact adversely with medications such as anesthesia and pain relievers. These interactions can make drugs less effective and affect safety and comfort during and after surgery.
Dehydration: Alcohol has a diuretic effect, meaning it promotes fluid loss from the body. Fluid loss can lead to dehydration, which negatively impacts the healing process and overall health. Adequate hydration is essential for a successful surgery and smooth recovery.

Effects of Nicotine, Tobacco Smoking and Vaping on Oral Surgery

Smoking and vaping nicotine products before and/or after oral surgery can have the following negative effects:

Impaired healing: Smoking and vaping significantly impairs the body’s ability to heal. The chemicals in tobacco smoke or vapor can constrict blood vessels, reduce blood flow and limit tissue oxygenation. These effects impair wound healing, increase the risk of infection and delay the recovery process.
Increased complications: Smoking before or after oral surgery greatly increases the risk of complications such as infection, dry socket (a painful condition in which blood clots dislodge) and poor wound healing. These complications can take a long time to resolve and may require additional surgery.
Bone health and implant failure: Smoking and vaping can impair bone health and affect the success of dental implants. Blood supply to the bone is reduced, new bone formation is inhibited, and the risk of implant failure is increased. Quitting smoking prior to oral surgery is critical to the long-term success and overall oral health of the patient.

Why Ceasing Alcohol and Drug Use Before Surgery Is Important

By giving up marijuana, alcohol and smoking before oral surgery, you can:

Improve healing: Abstaining from these substances before surgery allows the body to focus on healing and promotes a smooth recovery process.
Reduce complications: Avoiding marijuana, alcohol and cigarettes reduces the risk of complications during and after surgery – such as infection, excessive bleeding and slow healing.
Optimize anesthesia: The absence of these substances can help the anesthesia work effectively and safely during the procedure.
Promote long-term oral health: Quitting smoking and reducing your marijuana and alcohol intake not only benefits surgical outcomes, but also minimizes your risk of gum disease, tooth decay and other oral health problems, which can improve your long-term oral health.

Discuss your marijuana, alcohol and smoking habits with your OMS during your preoperative visit. Your OMS will provide personalized advice, support and resources to help you make positive decisions for your oral health and surgical success.