Yes, you should brush your teeth before surgery. Brushing helps lower the amount of bacteria in your mouth, which can lower the risk of infection and chest problems after surgery. The sources say to brush your teeth the morning of surgery, and one also says to brush twice a day in the days before surgery.

A few simple tips are given:

• Use a fluoride toothpaste.
• Brush all parts of your teeth for about 2 minutes.
• Be gentle, so you do not make your gums bleed.
• Do not rinse after brushing, so the fluoride stays on your teeth.
• One source also says to rinse with an antiseptic mouthwash the morning of surgery.

The usual fasting rules in the sources are: do not eat for at least 6 hours before surgery, and stop clear liquids 2 hours before. Some hospitals may use a different plan, and some may allow small sips of clear liquid until surgery. Verify the exact plan with your surgical or anesthesia team in case they want something different for you.