Comfort Tips For Your Palatal Expander

A palatal expander can fix a variety of oral issues; this includes creating room for overcrowded teeth, widening the upper jaw to fit properly over the lower jaw. There are things you can do to ease the discomfort of a new appliances. At Stormberg Orthodontics, we want all patients to feel comfortable following their treatment plans. If you have a palatal expander, here are some tips to make the experience more comfortable for you.

5 Tips For Palatal Expander

• Take Medications- Over-the-counter painkillers such as Ibuprofen, Tylenol, or Aleve can help alleviate pain and discomfort. Most providers recommend that you take a dose about an hour before you turn the key. This is because the key turning is probably the most uncomfortable part, most commonly the first turn or two.
• Apply Ice/ Cold Compress- If you notice any swelling and inflammation after turning the key, apply ice or a cold compress to your cheeks. Eat a cool treat such as ice cream, yogurt, or a smoothie to soothe the area.
• Eat Soft Foods- During your palatal expander treatment, we want you to eat softer foods, make sure to chew slowly and take small bites for just a few day, then slowly start resuming your normal diet. Nutrition value and personal diet is the most important. The more you eat and use your muscles in your mouth the faster the recovery, stimulates the blood flow.  Similar to returning to the gym after working out, work out the soreness.  We have found over the years, pasta is challenging the first day or so until the patient gets accustomed to swallowing. Cutting up raw fruits and vegetables (stir frying is good also) into bite sizes are advisable.  Avoid sticky, hard foods like sticky candy, ice cubes, large, hard nuts, hard chips, etc.  We will review diet at the initial placement appointment.
• Floss- Because the expander is put on the roof of the mouth, it’s important to keep it clean. Food and/or debris can get stuck in the metal, making it harder to keep your mouth clean. If you consistently keep up with your daily hygiene habits (such as brushing and flossing correctly) you will have the expander free of debris. To floss efficiently, you may want to consider getting a water flosser to reach hard places.  We will supply the patient with a hand-held water syringe or an oral irrigation device maybe helpful to keep the bridge of the expander clean.
• See Your Provider Regularly- If you notice consistent pain or discomfort, see your orthodontist. Always remember to see your orthodontist regularly, and ask any questions if you need help.