Can I Smoke Marijuana the Night Before Oral Surgery?
Posted on 6/3/2024 by Mountain State Oral and Facial Surgery
It is not recommended to smoke marijuana the night before oral surgery. Smoking marijuana is potentially dangerous for you if you are going in for surgery the next day and the surgery involves the use of local or general anesthesia. The combined effects of marijuana and general anesthesia can affect your general health by lowering your blood pressure and heart rate.
Marijuana Affects the Type and Amount of Anesthesia
Marijuana works almost in the same way as anesthesia by suppressing your central nervous system. If you are using marijuana regularly, you must inform your oral surgeon because you may need different amounts of anesthesia compared to someone who does not use it. In order for your doctor to use the right amount of anesthesia that will be enough for your oral surgery, you must inform them about your marijuana usage.
Under rare circumstances, anesthesia can make it difficult for you to breathe on your own. If you smoke the night before oral surgery, your dentist might have to use and apply too much anesthesia to achieve the intended effects. You are at a higher risk of experiencing breathing problems as a result of the amount of anesthesia needed to make you relaxed and pain-free during the surgical operation.
Marijuana Increases Other Complications
There are other complications associated with marijuana use before oral surgery. If you inhale marijuana, you are at a higher risk of respiratory infections in your lungs and increased phlegm. You can suffer breathing complications when you are under anesthesia, such as increased airway sensitivity, and it can feel like an asthma attack.
To be on the safe side, do not use marijuana the night before oral surgery. The complications are even worse if you consume marijuana an hour or two before your appointment. You are at risk of experiencing breathing and heart issues during oral surgery. In a nutshell, smoking weed the night before oral surgery is potentially dangerous, and you should consider postponing your marijuana until after your oral surgery.
