Haha, the fruit roll-up comparison is spot on. I swear, half these new pain relief things just make me feel like I’m in a candy store gone wrong. I’ve seen folks do way worse than chewing ice, though—one patient tried to eat popcorn two days after surgery. That didn’t go well. For pain, I’ve noticed those strips help more with that dull ache than the sharper stuff, but yeah, I’ll take weird textures over mouthwash burn any day.
I get what you mean about the weird textures, but honestly, I’m not sure those strips are all they’re cracked up to be. I tried them after my last extraction—figured anything’s better than swishing that blue mouthwash that feels like it’s stripping paint off your gums. But the strip just kind of curled up in my cheek and got stuck there, like a piece of cling wrap that refuses to leave. Maybe I was doing it wrong? Wouldn’t be the first time.
And about the pain thing, yeah, they took the edge off that deep throbbing ache, but for those sudden sharp zings, I felt like I might as well have been sticking a sticker on my tongue for all the good it did. Ended up caving and using the mouthwash anyway (regret), but at least it was over quick.
Popcorn two days after surgery is wild though. That’s some daredevil stuff. I had a friend who tried to eat tortilla chips after getting her wisdom teeth out… let’s just say she learned her lesson and stuck to mashed potatoes for a week after that.
If I had to pick, I’d probably still go with the strips over mouthwash—just barely—but only because the mouthwash makes me want to run laps around my kitchen until the burning stops. Still holding out hope someone invents a pain relief option that doesn’t feel like a science experiment or a failed dessert.
the strip just kind of curled up in my cheek and got stuck there, like a piece of cling wrap that refuses to leave. Maybe I was doing it wrong?
That’s exactly how I felt the first time I tried those strips—like I was fighting with a stubborn fruit roll-up. I hear you on the mouthwash, too. That “blue fire” sensation is something else. I wish there was a middle ground... maybe a pain relief pudding or something? Until then, mashed potatoes and cold packs are basically my best friends post-surgery.
the strip just kind of curled up in my cheek and got stuck there, like a piece of cling wrap that refuses to leave.
Yep, same here—those strips just never stayed put for me either. I ended up with more mess than relief. Honestly, ice packs and soft foods were way more helpful than any fancy product.
Those strips are a pain, right? I remember trying them after my wisdom tooth removal and just getting frustrated. They’d fold over, get stuck in weird places, and I’d end up fishing them out with my tongue. Didn’t help much with the pain either—just made me more aware of the whole sore area.
Honestly, sticking to ice packs and just taking it easy with food worked way better for me too. Yogurt, mashed potatoes, smoothies… anything that didn’t make me chew. I did try clove oil once (dabbed it on with a Q-tip), but it tasted awful and didn’t do much for the throbbing. In the end, the regular ibuprofen/acetaminophen combo was what actually got me through those first few days.
I get why people want to try new stuff, but sometimes the old-school methods are just less hassle. If anyone’s found a pain relief option that actually stays put and doesn’t taste like chemicals, I’m all ears.
