A few days ago, I got my palate expanders, and if someone tells you they hurt, they’re not wrong. It doesn’t just irritate the mouth, but also is a pain and inconvenience for the first few days. But from this experience, coming from a normal patient, this is how to survive with a piece of metal stuck in your mouth.
What are palate expanders?
A palate expander is an orthodontic tool to widen the upper jaw to create more space in your mouth. It also corrects bite issues. Every night, when it’s turned, the two metal rectangles separate slowly to expand the jaw. So unless you want tooth extraction from lack of space, use the palate expander properly.
Eating
On the first three days, I was not able to eat. I got my braces on the same day as expanders, so my teeth also hurt. All the food, especially soft, got stuck in the expander. I couldn’t get it out with my tongue because it would scratch the top. It felt impossible to chew anything. It even took me an hour to eat a single orange. Don’t end up hungry and hopeless like I did! The best foods for expanders (in my experience and opinion) would be fresh fruit juice, yoghurt, soup, or smoothies. The inconvienience is only temporary. Soon you will easily be able to normally eat food in around 2-3 days.
Turning
Turning the expander surprising doesn’t hurt! All you have to do is insert the key and slowly turn it along the arrows! You’ll feel it turn and might experience some headache, but it’s gone in an hour. Turn it every night as many times your orthodontist says so.
Palate Care
It is so important to brush at least twice a day and floss every night with any orthodontic appliances. I use a toothpick to clean out extra food in my expanders, because even after getting used to it, some foods like oranges and bread can leave unwanted residue. Follow these tips for a clean palate expander and a successful orthodontic treatment that will leave your teeth shining and healthy.