[052001]

Does anyone have experience with a palette expander? I need some encouragement/advice.

My daughter is 7 and got a palette expander 3 days ago. We are really regretting this decision. She hasn't been able to eat and this morning she was crying about not being able to eat. I'm not even sure if getting the expander was the right thing to do. I haven't even started to turn the expander yet. I hope in time it will get better, but right now we are ready to tell the orthodontist to take it out.

I hope someone has some advice for me. Thank you.

~Anne

[TheFoxx]

My brother had one when he was about her age. It took a while to get used to it. My parents fed him soft foods like eggs and mashed potatoes and ice cream until he was able to manage more solid foods.

[arkansas parent]

Jumping over from the special needs group.
Our daugher had a palette exspander (along with a few other things) when she was 9yrs. She had little discomfort. ( We gave her ibuprofen.) Our orthodontist warned us that for the first few days we might regret our decision. He also said some kids have a harder time getting use to it.
Just remember a few days of discomfort is worth it for a life time with a great smile.
I believe we made the right choice. Her smile is beautiful now.
We always brought some kind of pain releiver to the ortho. appointment and gave it to her as soon as we left the office. We also let her pick what she wanted to eat. She always chose soup.

[carlyincali]

Both of my twin nephews had them a few years ago. They were fine with them. Now they are 13 and have braces and are on their way to a beautiful smile.

[ej-momtobe]

I had ome many years ago when I was in 3rd grade. It did hurt for a while, and I would turn it less than recommended when it hurt, but it would get better. I think I had to do painkillers (asprin) a few times.

And, now i have a big smile...i never regretted it!

[brink]

Our son (14yrs) has had one for too long, as his has been one he can take in and out because of sports. He should have been out of it by now, but soon will be. He didn't have much trouble with it, except for remembering to wear it. Five out of our eight kids have had braces, with this son yet to go. I do remember our first daughter having them. I thought I'd also made a huge mistake, she had so many cuts and sore teeth and gums at first. But in the long run, the health of their teeth is so important. It's not just about a gorgeous smile, though I am so thankful we could give our kids that. It's also about how their back teeth meet for their bite. I also would let her take pain releavers and just hang in there. It will get better and easier, as she gets used to it. When our kids got their braces adjusted, they needed pain releavers sometimes. I know the older ones are so thankful to have beautiful smiles now. I should have had braces as a kid and didn't get them until DH generously paid for them. I know what it's like not feeling confident because of my teeth, so it was very important for me to give nice smiles to my kids.

[Clare'sMom]

Oh I am so sorry... My DD #2 had one when she was about 14. it was no fun! Lots of tylenol and soft food!

Just think about the beautiful smile she will have!!

Thinking about you and your daughter!! Ann

[luv2teach2]

My niece had one a year ago and her mouth looks great now. She was 9 at the time

[drjeanne]

Palate expanders are a necessary evil if your palate (upper arch) is not as wide as it should be. If it's not, then your upper teeth meet too far inside your lower teeth and the bite is just never right making it difficult to chew anything. You can also have what's known as anterior open bite which is where your back teeth come together but, your front teeth don't even when your mouth is closed. Again, very hard to eat when your teeth aren't together! Yes, palate expanders can be very painful because you're actually moving the bones in the palate a little at a time. Just go slowly and give the pain meds as needed. Ibuprofen has an anti-inflammatory in it and works well with dental pain. I'd also recommend soft foods and some treats like milkshakes and ice cream.....she deserves it!

Best of luck! Bet she'll have a gorgeous smile and be healthy and happy for life with those teeth!

Jeanne

[wvamom]

I have had three with braces (so far). Two of those had a palate expander. Each one was different. My dd complained the day she got hers on, but it never seemed to stop her from eating. Ds didn't eat for a week when he got his on. I tried to convince him that he needed to go ahead and eat, but it took awhile. For both, it has made a huge difference with their bites.

Being a parent is hard, I know! I hate doing something to my kiddos that makes them hurt. I just had to keep reminding myself of the long-term benefits.

Carolyn

[angel_bayou]

Anne, Hang in there I'm sure it'll get better in a few days!!

[khaki17]

I had one many, many years ago. It is painful. I have a beautiful smile, now. But, it really was painful. Food gets stuck up there--and it is hard to learn how to say some sounds / words properly.

I would definitely give painkillers when it hurts as well as when you turn the key (my parents did this at home on a schedule).

I don't regret it--nor would I try to make my parents feel bad about it. But, dang, it hurt!

Good luck!