Everything online says “everyone heals differently,” but that just makes me more anxious because then I start thinking I’m the slowest healer ever.
I totally get this. It drove me nuts not having a clear timeline, especially since I was trying to avoid extra appointments (and bills). For me, the jaw stiffness and weird tingling lasted longer than my dentist said too, and I was convinced something was wrong. But honestly, it did slowly get better. I still avoid crunchy stuff just to be safe. You’re not alone—healing just isn’t as predictable as we want it to be.
healing just isn’t as predictable as we want it to be.
That’s been my experience too. I remember thinking, “Why is my jaw still sore after three weeks?” My oral surgeon said a week or two, but nope—mine dragged on. The tingling and that annoying tightness stuck around way longer than I expected. I honestly think dentists underestimate how long nerves and soft tissue need to settle down. I tried to push myself back to normal foods too soon and regretted it, so now I’m a lot more cautious. It’s frustrating, but slow progress is still progress.
I tried to push myself back to normal foods too soon and regretted it
That’s exactly what happened with my kid. Surgeon said “a few days” for soft foods, but even after a week, anything more than yogurt or mashed potatoes got complaints. Did you have any swelling that lasted longer than expected? I kept wondering if we were being too cautious, but every time we tried upping the food texture, it was a hard no. Maybe kids just heal slower, or maybe they’re just more dramatic about it... hard to tell sometimes.
My kid was the same—anything with a hint of crunch and it was like the world was ending. I kept thinking maybe we were babying it, but honestly, better safe than another bill for a busted stitch, right? Swelling stuck around longer than I expected too. Kids might be dramatic, but I don’t blame them... I was pretty grumpy myself when I couldn’t eat real food for days.
Swelling stuck around longer than I expected too. Kids might be dramatic, but I don’t blame them... I was pretty grumpy myself when I couldn’t eat real food for days.
Totally get this. I’m about a week out from my own root tip surgery and still can’t handle anything but soft stuff. Is it normal for the swelling to just linger? I keep checking the stitches like a hawk, just in case. Did your kid complain about weird tingling or that numb feeling? I keep worrying I messed something up just by talking too much.
