Yikes, popcorn after a graft sounds rough... lesson learned the hard way, huh? Totally agree on wedge pillows though—regular ones just don't cut it. Did your dentist recommend anything specific for pain management besides the usual meds? Mine mentioned alternating ice packs and warm compresses, seemed to help a bit. Hang in there, you're definitely not alone in this struggle.
Popcorn definitely sounds like a tough lesson learned... I've been through a couple bone grafts myself, and the wedge pillow was a lifesaver for me too. My dentist also suggested gentle saltwater rinses after the first few days to help soothe the area and reduce swelling. It seemed minor at first, but honestly, it made a noticeable difference in comfort. Hang in there—each day gets a little easier, even if it doesn't feel like it right now.
I've seen saltwater rinses help a lot of my patients too—simple but effective. When I had my graft, alternating ice packs and warm compresses was a game changer for managing the swelling. Hang tight, it'll ease up soon enough.
Saltwater rinses definitely helped me too, but ice packs...man, they just made my jaw feel stiff and uncomfortable. Did anyone else find heat worked better than cold? I'm curious if that's just me being weird, lol. Also, did your swelling peak around day three or four? Mine was pretty intense around then, but thankfully eased off after a week or so.
"Did anyone else find heat worked better than cold? I'm curious if that's just me being weird, lol."
You're definitely not weird—I've seen plenty of patients who prefer heat over ice after procedures like bone grafts. Ice can sometimes cause muscle tightness, making things feel worse. Personally, when I had mine done, alternating between warm compresses and gentle jaw stretches helped ease stiffness and swelling more effectively. And yeah, day three or four is typically when swelling peaks, so you're right on track there...hang in there, it gets better soon.
