I get what you’re saying about temperature being the bigger deal. For me, though, it was kind of a toss-up—spicy stuff just hit different, even if it was cold. I tried to sneak in some guac one night (because, let’s be real, mashed potatoes get old fast), and even that was a mistake. Maybe it’s just how sensitive your mouth is after the surgery, but it felt like everything was out to get me.
I’m curious how people are handling the cost side of this whole thing, too. I had to buy this special mouth rinse my dentist recommended, and it wasn’t cheap. Then there’s all the soft food—if you’re not careful, you end up spending way more than you think on pre-made stuff or things you wouldn’t normally buy. I started making my own applesauce just to keep costs down, but it’s a hassle when you’re wiped out from the procedure.
Has anyone just stuck with regular saltwater rinses instead of the fancy stuff? I keep wondering if the pricier rinses are actually worth it, or if it’s just something dentists push. I mean, I want to heal up fast, but I don’t want to waste money if I don’t have to.
And about food—did anyone else try to get creative to save money? I did a lot of oatmeal and eggs, but after a few days, I was desperate for something with flavor. Even tried blending up soups, but it’s not the same as eating real food.
Honestly, it’s wild how much this whole recovery process costs, even after you’re done paying for the surgery itself. Makes me wonder if there are any budget-friendly hacks I missed...
Totally get where you’re coming from. My kid had to go through this last year, and the costs really added up fast—especially with all the “special” rinses and soft foods. We stuck to saltwater rinses after the first bottle ran out, honestly didn’t notice any difference in healing. For food, I just mashed up regular meals—beans, steamed veggies, even pasta—so we didn’t have to buy extra stuff. It’s not gourmet, but it worked and saved us a bit. The whole process is way pricier than you’d expect...
We stuck to saltwater rinses after the first bottle ran out, honestly didn’t notice any difference in healing.
Same here, honestly. I bought that first fancy rinse because the dentist made it sound like some magic potion, but once it was gone, I just switched to saltwater too. Didn’t really see any difference except my wallet felt lighter. I was super careful with the rinsing, though—gentle swishing, not sloshing it around like mouthwash.
For food, yeah, I got tired of those “special” soft food lists pretty fast. Ended up just improvising—mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, even overcooked oatmeal when I was desperate. It’s wild how much you can save by skipping the “oral surgery aisle” at the grocery store.
The one thing I will say is, keeping everything clean without poking at the stitches was a challenge. I used a baby toothbrush for a week or so (felt ridiculous but it worked). The process is definitely more expensive than you’d think, and way more annoying. But hey, at least it’s temporary...
The one thing I will say is, keeping everything clean without poking at the stitches was a challenge. I used a baby toothbrush for a week or so (felt ridiculous but it worked).
I totally get that—using a baby toothbrush felt odd, but it was the only way I could brush near the stitches without stressing out. I did notice that sticking with saltwater rinses helped keep things simple, even if the taste got old fast. The cost of all those “special” rinses really adds up, and honestly, I couldn’t tell much difference either. The soft food thing gets old quick too... I started blending soups just so I didn’t have to eat the same stuff every day.
My kiddo had to go through something similar last year, and I swear I was more nervous about messing up the stitches than he was. Did you find the saltwater rinse actually helped with pain, or just for keeping things clean? We tried the “magic” mouthwash they gave us, but honestly, it tasted so weird and he hated it. Ended up just sticking with warm salt water most of the time since it was easy and cheap.
Totally hear you on the soft food boredom. After day three of mashed potatoes and applesauce, I started getting creative—scrambled eggs, smoothies, even those little pasta stars cooked to mush. Did you ever get paranoid about food getting stuck near the stitches? I felt like I was constantly checking with a flashlight (which my son found hilarious).
How long did it take before you felt comfortable eating normally again? My son pushed for pizza way too soon, but we managed to hold off... barely.