Interesting you mention that—I've noticed some patients find warmth more soothing too, especially if muscle tension is involved. Sometimes icing can make muscles tense up even more. Did your son also notice any difference depending on sleeping position? Curious if that played a role at all...
My daughter had a similar experience after her graft surgery. She found warmth much more comforting too, especially when her muscles were tight and achy. Ice just made her feel stiffer somehow... Sleeping positions definitely mattered for her—propping pillows under her knees seemed to ease some tension in her lower back and hips. It's tough figuring out what helps most, but hang in there; it does slowly get better over time. You're doing great by paying attention to these little things!
Warmth definitely helps me more too... ice just makes everything tense up. Still figuring out the pillow thing, but glad to hear it gets easier eventually. Thanks for sharing your daughter's experience—it helps knowing I'm not alone in this.
Totally agree about warmth being more helpful than ice—I've seen that a lot with patients who've had bone grafts or other oral surgeries. Ice can be great initially for swelling, but after the first day or two, warmth usually feels way better and helps relax those tight muscles around your jaw. Everyone's different though, so it's good you're figuring out what works best for you.
About the pillow thing... yeah, that's tricky. I've had patients tell me they stacked pillows to sleep more upright, but then ended up with neck pain instead! One patient actually swore by one of those travel neck pillows—the kind you'd use on an airplane. She said it kept her head supported without putting pressure on her jaw or cheek area. Might be worth trying if regular pillows aren't cutting it.
Also, just wanted to reassure you that you're definitely not alone in this. Bone graft recovery can be pretty uncomfortable at times, and it's totally normal to feel frustrated or worried about how long the pain sticks around. Usually, the worst of it eases up significantly after the first week or so, but some lingering soreness can hang around longer depending on how extensive the procedure was.
If you're still struggling after a while or notice anything unusual (like increased swelling or new pain), don't hesitate to check back in with your dentist or surgeon. Sometimes just having them take a quick look can ease your mind and help you feel more confident about your healing progress.
Hang in there—it really does get better with time.
Has anyone actually tried heat early on and regretted it? My dentist was super clear about sticking to ice the first few days—said warmth too soon could make swelling worse... kinda curious if that's just overly cautious advice or legit?
