"another thing that made a difference (and was budget-friendly!) was using a mild saltwater rinse right after."
Totally agree on the saltwater rinse, it's been my go-to for years. Another cheap trick I found helpful was keeping the rinse slightly warm—not hot, just lukewarm—seemed to soothe things quicker. Worth a shot maybe?
Warm saltwater is definitely the way to go, but honestly, my kiddo found it even more soothing when we added a tiny pinch of baking soda to the mix. Sounds weird, I know, but our dentist actually recommended it—it helps neutralize acidity and seems to speed up healing. Plus, it's still budget-friendly, which is always a win in my book.
I was skeptical at first (baking soda in your mouth...really?), but it genuinely seemed to make a difference. And trust me, when you've got a cranky kid recovering from dental surgery, you'll try just about anything to ease their discomfort. Might be worth giving it a shot if you're open to experimenting a bit. Hope your recovery goes smoothly!
