Frozen peas are clutch, but I always wondered if the 20-min on/off thing was actually doing much or if I just liked having something cold on my face. My oral surgeon said ice for the first 24 hours, then switch to heat, but my swelling still peaked around day two anyway. Anyone else have that happen? Also, did anybody try those gel packs you can strap around your head? I stuck with veggies but always thought the pro gear looked hilarious.
Yeah, my swelling always hit hardest on day two too, even with religious icing. I did the 20-min on/off thing with frozen corn bags—felt good, but honestly not sure it made a huge difference. Tried one of those head wrap gel packs once and just couldn’t take myself seriously wearing it... but it did stay cold longer than veggies. Switching to heat after a day felt weird, but maybe that helped with the stiffness more than the swelling?
Switching to heat after a day felt weird, but maybe that helped with the stiffness more than the swelling?
Did your dentist actually say to use heat? I always worry I’ll mess something up—mine said ice only for the first couple days, then maybe gentle heat if my jaw felt locked up. I was so nervous about doing it wrong I just stuck with ice packs and even slept propped up, which honestly didn’t help much. Anyone else get freaked out about accidentally making the swelling worse? Those gel wrap things looked ridiculous on me too, but at least I didn’t have to keep refreezing peas...
I get what you mean about worrying you’ll mess it up—felt the same way. But honestly, my oral surgeon actually told me to switch to heat after 48 hours if the swelling peaked and I was still stiff.
That’s pretty much what I heard too. I think the key is not to rush it. I did ice religiously at first, but once my jaw got sore from clenching, a warm washcloth felt way better than more cold. Didn’t notice any extra swelling from it either. Those gel wraps are hilarious though, I looked like a chipmunk on a spa day.“mine said ice only for the first couple days, then maybe gentle heat if my jaw felt locked up.”
Those gel wraps are hilarious though, I looked like a chipmunk on a spa day.
Haha, that’s exactly the vibe. I swear, I had one of those blue gel ice packs and this stretchy headband thing—my brother couldn’t stop laughing at me. I did ice pretty much non-stop for the first two days because the swelling was no joke, but after that it just made my jaw ache in a weird way. Switched to a microwaved sock full of rice (DIY heat pack, don’t judge) and it felt so much better. Didn’t really notice more swelling either, just less of that stiff, locked feeling.
It’s wild how everyone gets slightly different instructions though. My friend was told to avoid heat totally and stick with ice, but honestly the heat was the only thing that helped with the muscle tightness for me. Kind of wish I’d tried it sooner instead of suffering through that weird numb ache from the cold.
Did anyone else have trouble actually eating anything solid? I know you’re supposed to stick to soft foods but even mashed potatoes felt like too much work for a couple days. Ended up living off smoothies and pudding... not mad about the pudding part, but wow, never realized how much I missed just chewing stuff.
Anyone else get those weird jaw clicks after? Mine still does it sometimes if I yawn too wide. Is that just me or does it go away eventually?