Brush your teeth as you usually would and brush carefully around your appliance. Use a Water Pik® and/or the water syringe we gave you to dislodge food particles that may be trapped under the expander.

Besides, How do you clean under Expander?

Gently slide the l’il palates cleaner under the expander plastic, from the front of your mouth to the very back, and use a sweeping motion to dislodge food and plaque. Remember to sweep the sides of your palate, since it is curved like a rainbow.

Keeping this in mind, How do you clean an expander palate? Using a water flosser will help to dislodge any food that may be caught above your expander. Once the food is loose, you can use your soft-bristle toothbrush to brush away the food debris and clean the palate expander. This will keep the expander clean and keep your breath nice and fresh.

Can you eat fruit snacks with expander?

Hard and crunchy foods like popcorn, nuts, and ice are also not recommended with a palate expander. Instead, opt for softer snacks and try satisfying your child’s sweet tooth with fruit or softer desserts like ice cream.

Can you eat chips with an expander?

To protect your braces and expanders, avoid HARD, STICKY, CHEWY, and CRUNCHY foods. … Hard and crunchy foods can break or damage wires, brackets, and expanders. Sticky and chewy foods can get caught between brackets and wires, cling to expander plastic and bands, and pull appliances off.

How do you clean teeth spacers?

Brush the Spacer

Use gentle sweeping motions to remove plaque and food debris from the various nooks and crannies of the appliance. An electric toothbrush will be more effective at plaque removal on an appliance. The vibration and rapid motion of an electric toothbrush can quickly dislodge clumps of food and plaque.

Can you turn an expander too much?

The expander will be activated ONLY one time a day, for approximately 28-42 turns. Do not turn more than prescribed by Dr. Stormberg.

What foods should I avoid with a palate expander?

Include lots of fruits and vegetables, along with meat, milk and whole grain bread. Do not eat sticky or chewy foods such as gum, taffy, caramels or licorice. Do not eat hard foods like ice, nuts or popcorn.

How do you wax a palate expander?

Orthodontic Wax:

Wax is a great tool to keep with you at all times. If you find that you have something sharp or poking, rip off a small piece of wax, roll it into a ball and squish it right onto the sharp part of your expander.

What can you not eat with expanders?

Include lots of fruits and vegetables, along with meat, milk and whole grain bread. Do not eat sticky or chewy foods such as gum, taffy, caramels or licorice. Do not eat hard foods like ice, nuts or popcorn. Whole raw carrots, celery and apples should be cut into bite-size pieces.

What candies can you eat with an expander?


Candies you can eat with braces

  • Chocolate (without caramel or nuts)
  • Peanut butter cups.
  • KitKats.
  • 3 Musketeers.
  • Marshmallows.
  • Cookies.

Can you eat goldfish with an expander?

Soft crackers like goldfish are another great option. If you still want enjoy dips, use pita bread instead of hard chips. Puffcorn is a great alternative to popcorn — because they’re free of kernels, they’re perfectly safe for your braces!

What foods can you not eat with expanders?

Include lots of fruits and vegetables, along with meat, milk and whole grain bread. Do not eat sticky or chewy foods such as gum, taffy, caramels or licorice. Do not eat hard foods like ice, nuts or popcorn. Whole raw carrots, celery and apples should be cut into bite-size pieces.

Can I eat fries with spacers?

Just remember, take small bites. You can still eat things like ice cream, brownies, cookies, cake, French fries, burger, hot dogs, and pizza (just avoid the crust), no problem.

Can you eat Doritos with spacers?

Any type of hard and crunchy food is something you will want to avoid while wearing your braces. Chips like Fritos, Doritos, Tostitos, Cheetos, Takis, as well as pretzels and other hard breads are foods that can not only damage your wire, but also cause your brackets to break.

Does getting a palate expander removed hurt?

There is little pain involved in this treatment and the process normally does not take a long time. You can be comfortable knowing that soon your mouth will have room for all the teeth you need.

How do you take care of dental spacers?


How Should You Care for Orthodontic Spacers?

  1. Continue brushing and flossing, but do not floss between teeth with spacers.
  2. Do not pick at the spacers with your fingernails or toothpicks.
  3. Avoid eating sticky foods that might pull the spacers out.

How long do teeth spacers stay in?

The spacers stay between the teeth for one to two weeks and move the teeth apart slowly until they are far apart enough so that orthodontists can fit a tooth brace or molar band in between them or fit an expander with metal rings.

What can you not eat with spacers?


Foods to avoid with spacers:

  • Gum or gummy candy.
  • Hard or sticky candy like toffee.
  • Popcorn or anything that can get stuck in your teeth and loosen the spacers.
  • Pretzels, nuts, any other hard and crunchy foods.
  • Chewing ice.

How many times should I turn my expander?

Turn your palatal expander twice a day, once in the morning and once at night. At each turn you will see a new keyhole appear. If you do not see the keyhole, the turn is not complete. Since the palatal expander is moving the bone, you will feel some pressure below the eyes and at the top of your nose between the eyes.

How many times do you turn Expander?

We typically recommend turning the expander two times a day for approximately two weeks to ensure your child is comfortable and has the best results.

How often is a palate expander turned?

The expander will be turned once every day for six weeks. During this time of activation, you will visit the office every three weeks. If you are unable to keep your appointment, stop turning the expander until your next visit.

Can you eat burgers with expanders?

But please keep eating your fruits and vegetables too! Just remember, take small bites. You can still eat things like ice cream, brownies, cookies, cake, French fries, burger, hot dogs, and pizza (just avoid the crust), no problem. Below is a list of foods to avoid and foods you can eat.

Can you eat marshmallows with a palate expander?

Marshmallows are also on the bill, as they are soft, chewy, but not gooey; they can easily be removed as they do not stick to tooth surfaces. You may need to rinse afterwards though. Cookies and cakes are also on the menu for candy that can be eaten, as well as fudge as long as it is not gooey.