The jaw fatigue is real—I remember just trying to eat mashed potatoes felt like running a marathon with my face.
This is exactly how I felt. I thought I was being dramatic, but even soft foods were exhausting. I tried the wax too and it just kept slipping off or getting stuck somewhere weird... honestly, I started panicking that I'd choke on it. Salt water rinses were the only thing that didn’t freak me out, but even then I was nervous about swishing too hard. The medicated mouthwash burned so much, I couldn’t handle it at all. Maybe I’m just sensitive, but “toughing it out” kind of just happened by default for me.
Salt water rinses were the only thing that didn’t freak me out, but even then I was nervous about swishing too hard.
Totally get this. I was also super paranoid about the wax—felt like it was more trouble than it was worth. Honestly, just kinda suffered through it too. You’re not being sensitive, it’s rough for everyone.
Yeah, I totally feel you about the wax being more hassle than help. I tried it a few times after my jaw surgery and honestly, it just kept falling off, especially when I was eating or even just talking. It got stuck in weird places too, which made me more anxious than anything. Half the time I wondered if I was swallowing bits of it—gross.
Salt water rinses were my main thing too, but man, I was freaked out about swishing too hard and messing up the stitches or something. Ended up just kind of tilting my head and letting it sit there for a bit before gently moving it around. Not sure if that actually did much, but hey, at least it felt like I was doing something to help the healing.
I know some people swear by the wax for those sharp bracket ends and all, but for me it was just easier to tough it out most days. The inside of my cheeks looked like hamburger meat for a while though... wish there was a better solution. My surgeon suggested those little silicone covers instead of wax, but they were kind of pricey and honestly didn’t stick much better.
Also, is it just me or does everything feel like a risk at first? Even brushing my teeth had me nervous about messing something up. Now that I'm a few months out, I'm way less paranoid, but back then I felt like every move could ruin the whole thing.
Curious if anyone else found a hack that actually worked (besides just suffering through). For me, cold stuff helped with swelling more than anything else—they gave me those gel packs at the hospital and I basically lived with one on my face for two weeks straight.
Half the time I wondered if I was swallowing bits of it—gross.
Yeah, that was my biggest gripe too. Wax never stayed put for me, and honestly, after a few days I just gave up and let my cheeks toughen up. I totally get the paranoia about messing up stitches—brushing felt like defusing a bomb at first. Did anyone else notice mouth dryness getting worse with all the salt water rinses? For me, sipping ice water nonstop became my weird little comfort.
I totally relate to the wax paranoia. Every time I put it on, I’d get this weird feeling like it was dissolving or vanishing into thin air—then I’d freak out about accidentally eating it. Honestly, I’m still not sure if that’s even a thing, but it’s hard not to overthink when you’re already anxious about stitches and healing.
Brushing was a whole ordeal for me too. I’d basically hold my breath and move in slow motion, just hoping I wasn’t going to snag anything. I tried to stick with the salt water rinses because everyone swore by them, but yeah… my mouth felt like the Sahara after a few days. I started keeping a water bottle on me at all times, and I’d just take tiny sips all day long. Not sure if it actually helped with healing, but it definitely made me feel less panicky about dryness.
Honestly, I wanted to “tough it out” but I kept going back to the wax, even if it was more of a psychological comfort than anything else. Just couldn’t shake the worry that I’d mess something up if I didn’t use it.
