Recovery care

Recovery Guide

Find out when you can resume normal activities after dental procedures. Select your procedure to see recovery timelines.

Popular questions

Straw after extractionSmoking after wisdom teethEating after extractionCoffee after root canal

Select Your Procedure

Choose a procedure to see when you can resume specific activities.

Dental Crown

13 activities

Use a StrawWhen numbness wears offEat Normally2-3 hours for permanent, avoid sticky foods with temporarySmokeNo restrictionDrink AlcoholNo restriction

+9 more

Root Canal

13 activities

Use a Straw24-48 hoursEat Normally2-3 hoursSmoke72+ hoursDrink Alcohol24 hours

+9 more

Tooth Extraction

13 activities

Use a Straw7 daysEat Normally24-48 hours for soft foods, 1 week for normalSmoke72+ hours minimum, ideally 1 weekDrink Alcohol48-72 hours

+9 more

Cavity Filling

13 activities

Use a StrawWhen numbness wears offEat Normally1-2 hoursSmoke4+ hoursDrink Alcohol1 hour

+9 more

Dental Implant

13 activities

Use a Straw24-48 hoursEat NormallySoft foods for 1-2 weeksSmokeAvoid entirely during healing (3-6 months ideal)Drink Alcohol72 hours

+9 more

Wisdom Teeth Removal

13 activities

Use a Straw7-10 daysEat Normally1-2 weeks for full normal dietSmokeAt least 1 weekDrink Alcohol72 hours minimum, 1 week ideal

+9 more

Braces Adjustment

13 activities

Use a StrawImmediatelyEat NormallySoft foods for 2-3 daysSmokeNo restrictionDrink AlcoholNo restriction

+9 more

Dental Cleaning

13 activities

Use a StrawImmediatelyEat Normally30 minutesSmoke30 minutesDrink AlcoholImmediately

+9 more

Dental Bridge

13 activities

Use a StrawWhen numbness wears offEat Normally2-3 hoursSmokeNo restrictionDrink AlcoholNo restriction

+9 more

Dentures

13 activities

Use a StrawWhen comfortableEat Normally2-4 weeks for full adjustmentSmokeNo restrictionDrink AlcoholNo restriction

+9 more

Custom Mouthguard

13 activities

Use a StrawImmediatelyEat NormallyImmediatelySmokeNo restrictionDrink AlcoholNo restriction

+9 more

Retainer

13 activities

Use a StrawImmediatelyEat NormallyImmediatelySmokeNo restrictionDrink AlcoholNo restriction

+9 more

Dental Veneer

13 activities

Use a StrawWhen numbness wears offEat Normally2-3 hoursSmoke48 hoursDrink AlcoholNo restriction

+9 more

Teeth Whitening

13 activities

Use a StrawImmediatelyEat Normally24-48 hours for best resultsSmoke48+ hoursDrink AlcoholWhite wine only for 48 hours

+9 more

Deep Cleaning (Scaling & Root Planing)

13 activities

Use a StrawWhen numbness wears offEat Normally2-4 hoursSmoke48-72 hoursDrink Alcohol24 hours

+9 more

Dental Bonding

13 activities

Use a StrawImmediatelyEat Normally24 hoursSmoke48 hoursDrink AlcoholNo restriction

+9 more

Gum Graft

13 activities

Use a Straw1 weekEat Normally2-3 weeksSmoke2+ weeksDrink Alcohol1 week

+9 more

Dental Sealant

13 activities

Use a StrawImmediatelyEat NormallyImmediatelySmokeNo restrictionDrink AlcoholNo restriction

+9 more

Dental Bone Graft

13 activities

Use a Straw1 weekEat Normally2-3 weeksSmokeAvoid entirely during healingDrink Alcohol1 week

+9 more

Tooth Contouring

13 activities

Use a StrawImmediatelyEat NormallyImmediatelySmokeNo restrictionDrink AlcoholNo restriction

+9 more

Inlay/Onlay

13 activities

Use a StrawWhen numbness wears offEat Normally24 hoursSmokeNo restrictionDrink AlcoholNo restriction

+9 more

Recovery info: Recovery timelines are general guidelines based on typical cases. Individual recovery may vary based on your health, the complexity of your procedure, and other factors. Always follow your dentist's specific post-operative instructions.

Having Recovery Problems?

If you're experiencing unusual pain, swelling, or other concerns after your procedure, check your symptoms.

Check Your Symptoms