What’s your go-to after jaw surgery: wax, salt water, or just toughing it out?

That wax-coffee combo is the worst - I totally get what you mean about it turning into a weird, chewy mess. Salt water rinses were my lifesaver too, especially when everything felt tight and sore. I was super skeptical about using a soft toothbrush at first (felt like I’d mess up the stitches), but it actually made things feel cleaner and less irritating. Have you tried any of those silicone covers instead of wax? I heard they’re supposed to hold up better with hot drinks, but I’m not sure if they’re any less gross.

Have you tried any of those silicone covers instead of wax? I heard they’re supposed to hold up better with hot drinks, but I’m not sure if they’re any less gross.

I’ve wondered about the silicone ones too, but I’m honestly nervous to switch. I always feel like anything new is going to make things worse somehow. Wax gets so weird with coffee, but I’m scared silicone might just feel even bulkier or slip off. Did anyone’s surgeon mention if those are actually safe right after surgery? I obsess over infection risk and stuff like that... Maybe I’m just overthinking it.

- I totally get the fear of switching. I stuck with wax for weeks just because my brain was like, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” even though it was definitely breaking every time I drank tea.
- Silicone does look bulkier, but my orthodontist said it’s actually more hygienic since you can rinse it off. Still, the texture freaks me out a bit - like, what if it feels like chewing on a gummy bear? Not sure I could handle that all day.
- Infection risk is always in the back of my mind too. I asked about it and they just said “keep everything clean,” but didn’t mention silicone specifically. I feel like doctors sometimes assume we know more than we do...
- Anyone else notice wax gets all melty with soup? That’s my main gripe. But salt water rinses kinda sting and don’t help with poky wires.
- Has anyone legit found something that doesn’t slide off or taste weird? Or is this just one of those “pick your poison” things?

“Silicone does look bulkier, but my orthodontist said it’s actually more hygienic since you can rinse it off. Still, the texture freaks me out a bit - like, what if it feels like chewing on a gummy bear?”

I get where you’re coming from about the silicone feeling weird, but honestly, after a couple days I barely noticed it. Wax always melted on me too, especially with coffee or soup, but silicone just stayed put. I know the texture’s odd at first, but for me it was way less messy than wax. Infection-wise, I never had an issue as long as I rinsed everything - maybe that’s just luck? Still, I wouldn’t say salt water ever did much for actual pain or poking wires. Have you tried those little ortho pads? They’re not perfect but didn’t taste as weird as wax to me.

My kid hated the silicone - said it felt too thick, even after a few days.

“Wax always melted on me too, especially with coffee or soup, but silicone just stayed put.”

I get what you mean about worrying if silicone might come loose and get swallowed. I had the same concern, but from what my surgeon told me, the small bits usually pass through without much trouble. Still, I was more stressed about keeping everything clean. With wax, I felt like it picked up every bit of food, but silicone seemed easier to rinse off. I’d just wash it with mild soap and water before using it. Maybe it’s just personal preference, but I found myself trusting silicone more for hygiene - though I totally get sticking with what feels safest for your kid.

I totally relate to the hygiene thing - wax always felt like a magnet for crumbs, and I was constantly picking bits out. Silicone was easier for me too, just a quick rinse and it didn’t get as gunky. I did worry about swallowing a piece at first, but my orthodontist said the same: it’ll pass if it happens. Still, I kept a close eye, especially with my youngest, just in case.

Salt water rinses were my other go-to. They helped with soreness and made everything feel cleaner, especially after meals. I know some folks just tough it out, but honestly, I’d rather deal with the hassle of cleaning silicone than risk irritation or infection. Everyone’s got their comfort zone though - my sister couldn’t stand the feel of anything in her mouth and just used salt water. Guess it’s all about what you can handle day-to-day.

I get the appeal of silicone, but I actually found it a bit too slippery for my taste - like, every time I tried to talk or eat, it’d shift around and I’d have to readjust. Wax was annoying with the crumbs, true, but at least it stayed put for me. Maybe I just never got the hang of silicone? Salt water rinses were a lifesaver though. My cousin swore by warm chamomile tea rinses instead - she said it soothed her gums more than salt ever did. Guess there’s no one-size-fits-all after jaw surgery...

I totally get what you mean about silicone - mine felt like a bar of soap in my mouth. I tried it for a day and just gave up because it kept sliding around. Wax was a crumb magnet, but at least it didn’t bail on me mid-sentence. Salt water rinses were my go-to, but I’ve never tried chamomile tea... kind of wish I had now. Honestly, I think I cycled through everything except just toughing it out - my patience isn’t that strong.

I totally relate to the silicone thing - mine just slipped everywhere and felt weirdly cold. Wax was messy for me too, especially if I tried to eat anything. Salt water rinses actually helped with soreness, though. Never thought of chamomile tea... does it really help with swelling?

Never thought of chamomile tea... does it really help with swelling?

Honestly, I tried chamomile tea after my second jaw surgery because my aunt swore by it, but I can’t say I noticed a huge difference with the swelling. It did feel soothing, though, especially if I let the tea bag cool down and used it like a compress. Maybe it’s more about comfort than actual swelling reduction?

I’m with you on the wax being a mess. I remember thinking it would be my go-to, but half the time it just ended up stuck to my food or sliding off. Salt water rinses were the only thing that consistently helped me, especially with that raw, achy feeling in my gums. I know some people just tough it out, but honestly, I think a combo of salt water and ice packs worked best for me. Never really found a miracle fix, just had to keep trying different stuff until something stuck.

- Totally get what you mean about the wax - mine always ended up stuck to my bite plate or just disappeared by lunchtime.
- Salt water rinses were my main thing too. They didn’t fix everything, but they made my mouth feel cleaner and less sore, which helped mentally as much as physically.
- Ice packs were a lifesaver for me, especially in those first few days. I never found a magic solution either, but it’s reassuring to hear others had the same trial-and-error experience.
- Hang in there - it’s a weird recovery process and everyone’s got their own little hacks that work for them.

Yeah, the wax thing was a total fail for me too - by noon it was either gone or just a weird lump stuck somewhere. I’m with you on the salt water rinses though, they actually made me feel like I was doing something to help, even if it was mostly in my head. Ice packs were good for the swelling, but honestly, nothing really made those first few days easy. It’s weirdly comforting to hear everyone else has the same struggles... makes me feel less like I’m messing up recovery or something.

I completely get what you mean about the wax being more trouble than it was worth. My orthodontist swore by it, but I could never get it to stay in place for more than a couple hours. Half the time, I’d end up biting down on a chunk of it without realizing. Not exactly the comfort I was hoping for.

Salt water rinses, though - those became a bit of a ritual for me. Even if it was just placebo, it felt like I was keeping things clean and soothing the soreness somehow. I remember during my recovery, the only thing that really helped with the swelling was rotating ice packs and those little gel packs you can freeze. They never lasted long, but the brief relief made a difference.

Honestly, I think the hardest part is realizing there’s no magic fix for those first few days. I kept second-guessing whether I was doing enough, or if I was making things worse by not following every tip to the letter. Turns out, most people just have to tough it out and let time do its thing.

One thing I wish someone had mentioned to me early on was how much jaw movement (even tiny ones) can make things feel worse at first. I tried to stick to smoothies and soft foods, but even that felt like a workout for my jaw. Looking back, I probably should’ve just given myself permission to rest more and not stress about getting back to normal so fast.

It’s weirdly reassuring to hear that other folks had the same issues with the wax and that salt water is a go-to. Makes the whole experience feel a little less isolating. And yeah, nothing really makes those early days easy, but at least we’re all in the same boat.

I was convinced the wax would be a game changer, but it just ended up stuck to my teeth or falling out every time I tried to talk. Maybe I was using too much? Salt water rinses were the only thing that consistently felt like they did something, even if it was just for peace of mind. Did you ever try those medicated mouthwashes? My surgeon mentioned them but honestly, I found them way too harsh right after surgery. The jaw fatigue is real - I remember just trying to eat mashed potatoes felt like running a marathon with my face. Looking back, I probably should’ve just accepted being out of commission for a bit instead of pushing through.

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.