I'm a week out from TMJ surgery and still dealing with some swelling and ache (ugh, chewing is a distant memory right now). My surgeon said both ice and heat can help, but didn't really say which one to lean on more. I've been alternating, but honestly, I can't tell which feels better long-term. Ice is nice for the swelling, but sometimes the heat pad just feels more comforting, you know?
Curious what others found more helpful—did you stick with ice, switch to heat, or just do both? Did one actually help with the pain or stiffness more than the other? Any little tricks for making either one less annoying?
My kid had jaw surgery last year, and we were basically glued to the freezer at first. Ice definitely helped with her swelling, but after a few days she just wanted the heating pad—said it made her jaw feel less “tight.” We ended up doing both, but honestly, she’d fall asleep with the heat pad sometimes because it was so soothing. One trick: we wrapped the ice pack in a super soft pillowcase so it wasn’t as harsh on her skin. That made a big difference for her comfort.
One trick: we wrapped the ice pack in a super soft pillowcase so it wasn’t as harsh on her skin. That made a big difference for her comfort.
I completely understand where you’re coming from—after my own jaw surgery, I found the ice packs were a lifesaver for the first few days, but after that, I craved warmth more than anything. That “tight” feeling you mentioned really resonates. I remember feeling almost locked up, and the heat pad just seemed to melt that tension away. I did something similar with my ice packs—wrapped them in an old flannel shirt so it didn’t sting so much. Honestly, I think it’s about listening to your body as you heal.
