I am just over 2 weeks post-op now and can only open my mouth to about 25mm. The joints feel very stiff and begin to hurt if I try to open up more. Makes brushing my molars somewhat hard, and I can't get a good yawn in either!
I was curious as to how long after surgery some of you were able to open your mouth closer to what you could before the surgery?
Opening Mouth..
Moderator: bbsadmin
I only just started some jaw exercises yesterday after seeing my OS. He has me putting some warm packs on my jaw and then opening as wide as I can and even suggested using my fingers to open even wider.
Talking isn't getting me to open very much cause these elastics are stretched over 3 brackets making it pretty tight. My Ortho said I could take a break from them when needed but I want them off-off as soon as possible so have been wearing them almost 24/7 since =p
Talking isn't getting me to open very much cause these elastics are stretched over 3 brackets making it pretty tight. My Ortho said I could take a break from them when needed but I want them off-off as soon as possible so have been wearing them almost 24/7 since =p
25mm is great! Ortho said pre-op I was at 30mm and as of yesterday I am at 18mm. They want me to get to 25 mm and I am 5 weeks post-op. Fortunately they finally released me from my bands and now I have lighter bands for sleeping. Orhto said to try opening my mouth every night as I watch tv until it starts to hurt and hold it. What size toothbrush are you using? OS gave me a baby toothbrush but I found that last night I was able to brush the best yet with an end tuft brush. Plus I will be doing pt to help the muscles relax and improve my rom. good luck!
I was using my normal toothbrush. A couple days after starting the jaw exercise with heating pads I can open wide enough now that my toothbrush fits all the way back there. Guess I only needed a couple more mm to fit it back there.
Can also open wide enough now to get a real good look at my stitches, but I kinda wish I didn't look at em lol has made me a little over-cautious brushing back there now =p
Can also open wide enough now to get a real good look at my stitches, but I kinda wish I didn't look at em lol has made me a little over-cautious brushing back there now =p
