Patient Information

Post-Operative Instructions After Tooth Extraction

Please do the following:

  1. Don't rinse your mouth or spit saliva. Please swallow your saliva.
  2. Bite on the gauze provided to stop the bleeding for about 1 hour before changing to a new gauze pack.
  3. Take your medications as instructed. Please finish the course of antibiotics unless you develop a drug allergy.
  4. Please take the pain medicine as soon as you reach home before the numbness goes away.
  5. Expect some swelling and stiffness of the jaw for a few days.
  6. Have a soft diet for a few days.
  7. Please do not exercise, smoke or consume alcohol for 7 days.
  8. Please return for the follow-up appointment to remove your stitches (if there was a need to have them placed during the surgery).
  9. Please call our emergency number 64420293 after office hours if the bleeding is uncontrollable.


Instructions for Maintenance

After your BriteSmile Whitening:

Everyone's teeth have a protective layer called the acquired pellicle. This layer contains surface stains and is removed during the procedure. It takes about 24 hours for this barrier to fully develop again. During this period we ask that you do not consume dark foods (i.e. coffee, tea, dark soft drinks, red wine, dark sauces) in order to minimize any shade relapse.


After your home teeth whitening:

After your home teeth whitening, please avoid smoking and dark stain food or drinks  to reduce the stains accumulating again. After you have achieved the teeth colour that you like, please use the home teeth whitening kit 1 or 2 times a month to continue to maintain your white smile. In addition as a teeth whitening client at Canaan, you automatically qualify to be on our “Whitening for Life” program.
Click here to find out more about this exclusive program.


Smoking is not recommended.


We recommend a white and clear food diet during the first 24 hours:

  • milk, water, clear soda, tonic
  • bananas, apples and pears (no peels), cauliflower
  • plain or vanilla yogurt, white cheese, cottage cheese, egg whites, sour cream
  • white bread, flour tortillas, saltine crackers, oatmeal, cream of wheat
  • pasta w/ white sauce, white rice, mashed potatoes, baked potato (no butter)
  • skinless chicken breast, turkey, white fish, pork loin or chops

As a BriteSmile client at Canaan you automatically qualify to be on our “Whitening for Life” program.

Click here to find out more about this exclusive program.


If you experience any discomfort after the procedure:

You may take the headache medication of your choice. Please feel free to contact your dentist should you have any question or concerns.


Thank you for choosing BriteSmile!