Procedure prep
Fasting Before Dental Anesthesia
Whether you need to fast for the dentist depends on the anesthesia: local injections need no fasting, but sedation or a general anesthetic does.
Fasting for this procedure
→ Get your exact fasting times with the calculator
Medicines to check
- Blood thinners (aspirin, clopidogrel, warfarin, Eliquis, Xarelto) — see medications to stop.
- Diabetes medicines & insulin — they need a plan. See diabetes tablets.
- GLP-1 (Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro) — tell your team. See the GLP-1 guide.
- Blood pressure medicines — confirm which to take with a sip of water and which to hold.
When this surgery may be delayed
- Fever, a new cough/cold, or a chest infection
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Very high blood pressure or blood sugar
- You ate or drank outside your fasting window
- A dental or mouth infection with swelling or fever
Reports & documents to carry
- Photo ID and insurance card
- A written list of all your medicines and doses
- Any blood tests, ECG, or scans your team asked for
- Consent forms or referral letters, and allergy details
- A responsible adult to drive you home if you'll be sedated
What to ask your anesthesia team
- Will I have local anesthesia, sedation, or a general anesthetic?
- Do I need to fast, and for how long?
- Which medicines do I take or hold that morning?
- Who needs to drive me home?
Your prep checklist
Tick things off as you sort them — saved on this device only, nothing is sent anywhere.
A general guide — your hospital's own instructions always come first.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to fast for a dental filling?
No — routine dental work under a local numbing injection does not require fasting. Fasting is only needed if you're having sedation or a general anesthetic.
How long should a child fast before dental anesthesia?
Usually the same as other surgery: solids about 6–8 hours before and clear liquids about 2 hours before arrival, with breast milk and formula having their own timings. See our child fasting guidance.