Totally get where you're coming from. After my graft, ice felt great at first, but after a while it just seemed to make things stiffer. Heat packs were a lifesaver for me too...funny how sometimes our bodies know better than the textbooks, huh? Hang in there, it gets easier.
I felt exactly the same way after my graft... ice was great at first, but after a couple days it just seemed to make everything tighter and more uncomfortable. I switched to heat packs too, and honestly, it made such a difference. It's weird how sometimes the things doctors recommend don't always match up with what actually feels right for us, isn't it? I remember feeling pretty anxious at first, worrying if I was doing something wrong or if the stiffness meant something wasn't healing properly. But eventually things did start to ease up—slowly but surely. You're definitely not alone in this. Just trust your instincts and listen to your body... sounds like you're already doing that anyway. Hang in there, it'll get better soon.
"It's weird how sometimes the things doctors recommend don't always match up with what actually feels right for us, isn't it?"
Yeah, totally relate to this. My surgeon insisted on ice packs too, but after day three it felt like my jaw was locked in place. Heat packs and gentle massage helped me way more... everyone's different, I guess. Glad you're finding relief!
everyone's different, I guess.
That's interesting, I had a similar experience after my implant procedure. The dentist recommended cold packs to manage swelling, but honestly, warmth felt way better after the initial day or two. I wonder if it's something about how our bodies respond differently during the healing stages? Did your dentist explain why ice was preferable for your case? Mine just said "it's standard practice," but never really explained the reasoning behind it...
I had a similar thing happen when I got my wisdom teeth out a few years back. Dentist insisted on ice packs, but after a day or so, the cold actually made me feel worse—like it was tightening everything up and making my jaw ache more. Switched to warm compresses on a whim, and it was like instant relief. Weird how that works, huh? I asked later at a follow-up, and he mentioned something about ice reducing inflammation initially, but after the first 48 hours or so, warmth can help circulation and healing. Maybe it's just one of those things dentists recommend as a general rule without really explaining why... Did anyone else find that switching from cold to heat helped with their pain levels? Curious if it's just a personal preference thing or if there's some science behind it.
