The stuck cheeseburgerbit

[Guest guest]

Alas, the best answer I have is to do the best you can.

I think, if you've been cleared to use the waterpik, that may indeed

be the best tool.

I adored and still adore the little travel Proxabrushes. I still use

them, and my dentist told me that with my ancient and messy mouth,

they are probably still the best tools (even better than flossing)

for cleaning my " food traps. " They can't help if the bit is under the

splint, but if it's between some teeth, they could. Maybe.

Or, and this is strictly an off-the wall notion and completely

untried, far as I know, how about a pipe cleaner? I'm not clear about

where the burger bit is stuck, though. If it's under the splint, do

not go poking under there with a pipe cleaner -- or near any tissues

that are still healing. You want to be very gentle.

I was able to squirt the waterpik so that I sort of flushed under the

splint, but again, keep it on low pressure, and don't go anywhere

near incisions with it. (I had lower only, so there was nothing up

there I could damage.)

I'd also be inclined to dilute some hydrogen peroxide and try

gargling with that. Maybe the scrubbing bubbles could help you

dislodge it.

I'd also be inclined to tell the jerk-o that if he thinks you should

be able to eat steak now, clearly something is very wrong with what

he did to your mouth! (I don't think it is. But I also don't think he

should get away with that remark, either!)

Just be as assiduous as you can about keeping your mouth clean; use

whatever mouthwash (Sensodyne is good, as it has no alcohol) works

for you.

Good luck!

Cammie

> > >

> > > Hey Jane,

> > >

> > > Hang in there. Your range of motion is very limited right now,

> but

> > > with exercise and continued

> > > use it will get much better over time. Don't get discouraged.

> > > You might not be able to chew, but at least you can start using

> > your

> > > zip-n-squeeze. Go blend

> > > something - a quick meal is blended canned soup. Chewing might

> > take

> > > some getting used to -

> > > it's hard to do with a splint, and with limited tongue

mobility.

> > > But it will really get better

> > > day by day.

> > > I'm sorry your surgeon seems to be lacking in people's skills.

I

> > > know that in general, surgeons

> > > are not known for their people skills , but some are much

> better

> > > than others (and yours seems

> > > to be at the worse side of the scale). Try to tolerate him for

a

> > > little longer, and remember

> > > that you can always come here for some sympathy.

> > > I know what you mean about your gynecologist. I always tell my

> > > husband to explain to his

> > > patients what he's doing and why - it makes it so much easier

on

> > the

> > > patients. I don't think

> > > that having the same experience as you makes a good doctor - if

> > > somebody's compationate and

> > > can acknowledge your pain - that's all we need. During my

first

> > > post-op visit, after asking

> > > how I've been, my OS said " it's tough, huh " . And just one

phrase

> > > made me feel so much better,

> > > just this affirmation that he knows that it sucks. It might

> sound

> > > childish, but sometimes

> > > a little handholding goes a long way. And explanation of how

> > > the healing process is supposed to happen helps greatly, too.

> > > Unfortunately, many docs forget

> > > about that, thinking that we just know these things.

> > > Don't get discouraged, Jane, the hardest part is over. It

should

> > be

> > > getting better and better.

> > >

> > > Irene.

> > >

> > > P.S. About your bite - it probably is better than you think.

> > Splint

> > > distorts things. I also

> > > thought that my bite looked bad, and that OS overdid it on

> pushing

> > > the lower jaw back,

> > > but after the splint came out I saw that it looked much better

> than

> > > I thought. I

> > > definitely need some serious ortho work, but still.....

> > > You're also probably swollen (me too), so things might appear

> > > assymetric. I hate this swelling

> > > thing and can't wait for it to go away!