Gel packs are great, but honestly, homemade ice packs worked just fine for me. After my gum surgery, I didn't feel like shelling out extra cash for something I'd only use a few days. I just took some rubbing alcohol and water (about 1 part alcohol to 3 parts water), poured it into ziplock bags, and froze them overnight. They stayed flexible enough to mold around my jaw and lasted a good while before needing to refreeze. Definitely wrap them in a thin towel or cloth, though, since they can get pretty cold on bare skin. Not as fancy as store-bought gel packs, but they did the job without sliding around like peas do. Plus, saved a few bucks...which always helps after dental bills pile up.
Haha, peas sliding around your face is the worst...been there, done that. I went the DIY route too, but used dish soap instead—stays squishy and molds perfectly. Plus, bonus points for smelling lemony fresh while recovering from dental torture.
"Plus, bonus points for smelling lemony fresh while recovering from dental torture."
Haha, gotta appreciate the silver lining! Did the lemon scent actually help distract from the soreness at all? Either way, kudos for getting creative—gum surgery recovery is no joke. Hang in there, you're doing great.
Haha, lemon scent as a distraction—that's a new one for me. But hey, whatever works, right? Honestly, gum surgery is rough, and finding those little comforts makes all the difference. I remember when I had mine done, ice packs were practically glued to my face for days. My freezer became my best friend... stocked up on smoothies and popsicles too, just to keep things bearable.
But seriously, you're handling this like a champ. It might not seem like it now, but the worst really does pass quicker than you'd think. Before long you'll be eating crunchy stuff again without even thinking about it. Hang tight—you're definitely on the right track!
Ice packs are helpful, sure, but honestly they didn't do much for me. Maybe I'm just overly cautious, but I found the cold sensation more uncomfortable than soothing. Instead, warm saltwater rinses were my lifesaver—felt gentler and seemed to speed up healing. Smoothies were great though... totally agree there. Just be careful with anything too cold; sensitivity can sneak up on you when you least expect it.
