I totally get where you’re coming from with saltwater rinses getting old fast—my dentist swore by them too, but after a couple days, my mouth felt raw. I ended up rotating between saltwater and plain warm water, just to give my gums a break. Chamomile tea sounds like a great idea, actually. I’ve read that it’s gentle and has some anti-inflammatory properties, so it makes sense that it would be soothing.
Funny enough, my mom used to make me herbal teas when I had mouth ulcers as a kid. I was skeptical, but sometimes those little home remedies do help, especially when everything else feels harsh. I think as long as whatever you’re using isn’t sugary or acidic, and your surgeon’s cool with it, a bit of variety can make the healing process less miserable.
Boring is safe, sure, but sometimes our mouths just need something a little gentler. I also found that keeping up with gentle brushing (avoiding the surgery area) and staying hydrated made a difference for me. And honestly, ice packs were my best friend for the first two days—nothing fancy, just helped take the edge off.
Recovery’s such a personal thing. What works for one person might not for another, but it’s good to hear what’s helped others along the way.
I can relate to the “raw mouth” feeling after a few days of saltwater. I remember thinking, “How is this supposed to help if it just stings?” I did the same—switched off with just warm water when it got too much. Chamomile tea is a new one for me, though. I usually stuck with plain water or sometimes cooled peppermint tea, but I might give chamomile a go next time. Anything that soothes without all the harshness is worth trying.
Funny how those home remedies from our parents sometimes end up being the most comforting. I used to roll my eyes at my dad’s insistence on honey or aloe for every mouth sore, but now I see the logic. As long as it’s not sugary, like you said, it can’t hurt.
Gentle brushing was tough for me—I was so nervous about getting near the site that I probably avoided it more than I should have. Hydration definitely helped, though. I found sipping through a straw (carefully) made things easier, especially when everything was still swollen.
I’ve always wondered about ice packs versus warm compresses. My surgeon said stick with cold at first, but after a couple days, a warm washcloth felt better for me. Did anyone else try switching to heat after the initial swelling went down? Curious if it helped others, or if I just imagined the relief.
It really is trial and error with this stuff. What’s one thing you tried that didn’t work at all? For me, mouthwashes with alcohol were a disaster—burned like crazy and seemed to slow things down.
Totally agree about the alcohol mouthwashes—felt like pouring fire on the wound for me, too. I did try switching to a warm compress after the first couple days, and honestly, it made a big difference with stiffness and general comfort. Not sure if it actually sped up healing, but it was way less miserable. Funny how we all end up with our own little routines after these things.
Totally agree about the alcohol mouthwashes—felt like pouring fire on the wound for me, too.
That line cracked me up because, wow, I can still remember my own rookie mistake with alcohol mouthwash after a wisdom tooth extraction. I thought I was being all diligent about “killing germs,” but it felt more like I was prepping the wound for a bonfire. Switched to saltwater after that and never looked back.
Funny thing about warm compresses—when I had my own root tip surgery a few years back, I was convinced by a colleague to try them, even though I was skeptical. I always thought icing was the gold standard, but after the first 48 hours or so, the warm compress really did help with the tight, achy feeling. Didn’t make me heal like Wolverine or anything, but at least I didn’t feel like my jaw was welded shut anymore.
I’ve noticed everyone has their own “rituals” after dental stuff. My weirdest one? I’d set an alarm to remind myself to gently stretch my jaw every few hours, otherwise I’d forget and suddenly realize I was talking like Batman all day. Not sure if there’s any science behind it, but it made me feel less like a zombie.
One thing I’ll mildly push back on—my grandma swore by clove oil for dental pain, but when I tried it, all I got was a numb tongue and the taste of Christmas gone wrong. Maybe I just did it wrong, or maybe some of those old remedies are best left as folklore.
Anyway, it’s always wild to see how everyone’s “battle scars” turn into these little comfort routines. Makes you realize there’s no single right way to get through recovery, just whatever keeps you sane and semi-comfortable.
I’ll never understand why alcohol mouthwash is still a thing after dental work—it’s like adding insult to injury. Saltwater’s boring, but it works and doesn’t make you want to punch a wall. I’m with you on the warm compresses, too. That “jaw welded shut” feeling is real, and heat really does loosen things up if you give it a chance. As for clove oil, yeah, that stuff is a gamble. I’ve seen it help, but most folks just end up with a numb mouth and regrets. Everybody’s got their post-op quirks, honestly—I still swear by my weird soft-food “diet” of mashed potatoes and pudding for a week. Whatever gets you through.
