Mouth opening returns to normal during the four to six weeks after surgery. While the jaws are secured into a rigid position, the muscles used in facial expression may not function properly because of general facial swelling.
We ask that you maintain a no-chew diet for 6 weeks, but it may take longer than that to be able to eat normally. Difficulty opening your jaw can occur for several weeks but should be back to normal by about 8 weeks after surgery.
Jaw stiffness and soreness is common after oral surgery and may result in limited mouth opening (trismus). This is as a result of the surgery involving the jaw muscles at or near the surgical site. This condition may last for a few days to a week. On rare occasions, jaw stiffness may take longer to resolve.
Sensation is expected to return 2-6 months after surgery. A numb feeling in the upper gums and roof of your mouth may persist after surgery. Numbness of the lower lip and chin is also expected after lower jaw surgery. Recovery of sensation may take 12 months.
Swelling and Bruising.
Tissue injury, whether accidental or intentional (e.g. surgery), is followed by localized swelling. After surgery, swelling increases progressively, reaching its peak by the third day. It is generally worse when you first arise in the morning and decreases throughout the day.
3) Eating and talking as normally as possible is a good exercise for the facial muscles, as it favors their recovery. During the first week, simply trying to open and close your mouth without straining, speaking, and vocalizing can help improve muscle tone and movement.
Run your fingers down your masseter muscle (muscle on the side of your face), which connects your jaw bone to your skull. Move your fingers in a circular motion for 30 seconds, two to three times a day. This motion helps loosen your jaw. These movements will stretch your jaw muscles, but shouldn't cause pain.
After 6-8 weeks, you can progress to more normal chewing, but advance slowly and cautiously (really hard foods should be avoided for another 1-2 months, including pizza, apples, raw carrots, nuts, etc.). At this point if it hurts to chew, it's too hard.
You will progress to a soft food or soft-chew diet around after 2 months of recovery (give or take a week). You must avoid anything crunchy or hard to chew, as it can damage your jaw and disrupt the healing process. If you find it uncomfortable to chew, remain on a no-chew diet for another week.
Swelling: You can expect swelling to be the worst in the first week after oral surgery. It's usually most noticeable from three to five days after surgery, then it gradually lessens. Bruising: Bruising often accompanies swelling, and it dissipates as the swelling subsides.
Don't try to fight them and open or move your jaw. If you need to cough, sneeze, or yawn, use your hand to support below your chin to avoid the tendency to try to open your mouth!
We recommend that you do not try and chew hard or tough food, for example hard toast, crusty bread, tough meats, raw vegetables, hard fruit, toffees or chewy sweets, for 6-8 weeks after your operation. This is to make sure the jaw bones heal together well.
We recommend fish, white rice, bananas, mangoes, white bread, pureed fruits and vegetables, canned chicken, avocado, cottage cheese, soft beans, and meatloaf. During the next two weeks you can gradually introduce normal foods and chewing.
Following your surgery and throughout the post-operative recovery period, especially if your jaw is wired shut, you could lose as much as 10 percent of your body weight.
If you sleep on the same side as your surgical wounds, you can also be faced with problems. The pressure on your surgical wounds can add to your discomfort. All of these issues can affect how well you can heal as well as lengthen your recovery time and increase your risk of complications.
Jaw Joint Stretch
Press your tongue against the roof of your mouth, behind your teeth. Then use your tongue to push your top teeth forward and, while doing that, slowly open your mouth, stretching those tight jaw muscles. Stop doing this when you feel pain. You can repeat this ten times.
Your jaw is weakest during the ten days following your surgery. Simply move your jaw forward and backward, and side to side, and open and close, while attempting to stretch your jaw muscles. Moist heat placed on the side of your face before and during these exercises may make them more comfortable and effective.
Many muscles and nerves around your jaw work together to open and close your mouth. Most people can open their mouth 35 to 55 millimeters (1.4 to 2.2 inches), which is about the width of 3 fingers (see Figure 2).
You must avoid hot, prolonged showers which may cause bleeding in the upper jaw if surgery is performed there. Avoid exercises, any heavy lifting or activity that raises your blood pressure or pulse for at least one month after the surgery.
Increased stress hormones: Surgery is emotionally and physically stressful. This can lead to an increase in stress hormones in the body, which in turn makes sleep more challenging.
Chopped, cooked or canned fruit blending with 15-30 ml (1-2 tbs.) unsweetened fruit juice, ice cream or pudding. Use lemon juice or orange juice with fresh peaches or bananas to keep them from turning brown.
Jaw Surgery Recovery Timeline
Once you return home, you will be on a liquid diet for two weeks. After this, you can slowly begin adding foods such as cooked, mashed foods such as mashed potatoes, hummus, refried beans, and mashed, cooked vegetables.
You will need to drink plenty of nourishing fluids, for example soups, milk, and smoothies. Your jaw may be held together with elastics. After a few days, these may be loosened, or you may be advised by your orthodontist that they can be taken off during mealtimes.
Gocke will provide you with detailed instructions on what you can and can't eat, but in general, corrective jaw surgery patients should only eat soft foods such as: Soup. Scrambled eggs. Applesauce.