"Heat packs were tricky...I tried them once or twice but ended up with swelling"
Yeah, heat packs were a no-go for me too. I thought they'd be comforting—like a warm hug for my poor mouth—but nope, just ended up looking like a chipmunk storing snacks for winter. Weirdly, lukewarm broth was my lifesaver. Not exactly gourmet dining, but hey, it worked. Hang in there, it does get better eventually...or at least less chipmunky.
Not exactly gourmet dining, but hey, it worked. Hang in there, it does get better eventually...or at least less chipmunky.
Heat packs can definitely backfire sometimes, especially right after surgery. Did your dentist or surgeon recommend cold packs instead? Usually, cold helps more with swelling initially...heat might feel comforting but can actually increase inflammation. Maybe worth double-checking their instructions?
"heat might feel comforting but can actually increase inflammation."
Yeah, I learned this the hard way after my wisdom teeth came out. Heat felt amazing at first, but then my face ballooned even more overnight. Dentist explained that cold packs are best for the first 48 hours to keep swelling down, then switch to heat later if muscles get stiff or sore. Maybe give cold packs another try? Hope you feel better soon...bone graft recovery is no joke.
I had a similar experience after my dental implant surgery. Initially, heat felt soothing, but my oral surgeon advised against it early on because it can actually worsen swelling and inflammation. Cold packs were uncomfortable at first, but they really did help manage the swelling better. Maybe try alternating cold packs with short breaks in between? Also, have you checked with your dentist about anti-inflammatory meds or other pain management options? Might be worth exploring...
Interesting perspective on the heat vs. cold thing—I get where you're coming from, but honestly, I've found heat packs pretty helpful in some situations. After my bone graft, cold packs definitely helped with swelling initially, but after a couple of days, I switched to gentle heat and it seemed to ease the muscle tension and soreness around my jaw. Maybe timing makes a difference? Like, early on cold packs are probably best, but after the initial swelling peaks, heat can actually help relax muscles and promote blood flow.
I do agree about checking in with your dentist about anti-inflammatory meds, though. My dentist suggested ibuprofen in regular intervals, and it made a noticeable difference. But everyone's different, so it's always worth double-checking with your own dentist or oral surgeon to see what's best for your specific healing process...
