I was feeling better a few days after my surgery, but now my teeth feel high and tender when I bite, my jaws ache and even my ear hurts. What’s happening?
A normal part of would healing is swelling, so when the tissues around your teeth swell it will move the teeth slightly out of position. This usually starts 2 or 3 days after the surgery and lasts for about 2 weeks. Your “bite reflex” will sense this and you may unconsciously clench to reposition your teeth. If you already have the habit of clenching or grinding your teeth, this can become especially uncomfortable. It pushes your teeth back into swollen/tender “sockets”, further bruising the surrounding tissue and creating a vicious cycle. This creates the feeling of a “bone bruise”, a dull throbbing ache in the jaw above and below the wound. Muscle spasms may occur, especially overnight, in the area of your cheek, ear, temple and even the back of your head. These aches are not easily relieved by any pain-relieving medicine (narcotic or not). Cramps are relieved by relaxation, stretching, massage and applying heat to stimulate circulation. Try these remedies before taking more pills!
