"I probably overdid the ice packs at first, haha."
Haha, same here...I was so paranoid about swelling after my braces tightening that I practically froze my cheeks off. Definitely agree about the saltwater rinses though—felt like the one thing I could control to help healing along.
Haha, reading your posts about ice packs brings back memories of my first few days after gum surgery. I remember the dentist casually mentioning, "Just use ice packs regularly," and me taking that advice way too literally. I practically lived with a frozen bag of peas stuck to my face for two days straight. My housemates thought I'd lost it—walking around the apartment looking like a chipmunk storing food for winter.
Funny thing is, after a while, I wasn't even sure if the numbness was from the surgery or just my cheeks being frozen solid. Eventually, I eased up because the cold started to feel worse than the actual swelling. I switched tactics and tried warm compresses instead, which weirdly felt way more soothing for me. I know ice is supposed to help with swelling initially, but warmth seemed to relax my jaw muscles better. Maybe I'm just weird?
Totally agree on the saltwater rinses though. At first, I thought it sounded like some outdated home remedy my grandma would swear by, but honestly, it turned out to be the most comforting part of my recovery routine. It was oddly satisfying to feel like I was actively doing something helpful, even if it tasted like accidentally swallowing ocean water at the beach.
Did anyone else get super paranoid about accidentally disturbing the stitches? I spent a week eating nothing but yogurt, mashed potatoes, and smoothies, convinced that chewing anything remotely solid would ruin everything. It took me ages to trust myself with actual food again. Even now, months later, I still catch myself hesitating before biting into an apple...old habits die hard, I guess.
Anyway, glad I'm not alone in my ice-pack-overkill phase. Dental recovery really brings out the cautious hypochondriac in all of us, doesn't it?
Haha, yeah, I totally relate to the paranoia about stitches. I remember staring into the mirror convinced I'd messed something up every time I brushed my teeth. Warm compresses definitely helped me too—especially after the first couple days when my muscles felt tight from holding my jaw so stiffly. Did anyone else find sleeping propped up on pillows weirdly helpful for swelling? Felt awkward at first but surprisingly effective...
Totally get the pillow thing. I thought it was just me being weird, haha. The first night I tried it, I felt like a mummy propped up in bed, but it seriously did wonders for swelling and even helped with the throbbing pain. Also, if you're budget-conscious like me, frozen peas wrapped in a towel make awesome ice packs—cheap and reusable. Gum surgery survival hacks at their finest...
Glad someone else mentioned frozen peas—I thought I was the only one raiding my freezer for dental emergencies. They're definitely budget-friendly and mold around your jaw way better than regular ice packs. One caution though... make sure you label them clearly afterward. I almost cooked mine for dinner once, and let's just say, thawed-and-refrozen peas aren't exactly gourmet dining. Also, elevating my head helped me too, though I kept waking up paranoid I'd roll off the pillows. Still worth it for the reduced swelling.
