this thing is murdering my tongue!!

[citygirl32]

I also just got the palatal expander put in on monday. so believe me im feeling your pain. try rinsing with peroxyl. you should be able to find this at any pharmacy, it works really well for me and it also helps get any food stuck in the expander out. but id much rather just rip the damn thing out, i cant stand talking like this anymore!!!!!!!

[Nat]

I got braces and a palate expander fitted 2 days ago and agree it absolutely kills! My orthodontist didn’t explain the procedure very well (not at all) and I’ve only just figured out the metal thing attached to the roof of my mouth isn’t part of the braces. I’m going back to see her and have things explained properly but in the meantime does anyone have an idea how long it is supposed to stay on for?

Love the suggestions of salt water treatment for a sore tongue, guess I’ll be hitting that in a few days!

[niceteeth]

thanks for all the advice. The salt water rinses and peroxide helped. I'm afraid to try the band aid because I still have to turn my key every other day, and that could become a hassle.

[Nat]

Hi and thanks for the warm welcome, I’m the only one of my friends who have taken the plunge with adult braces (they all had their teeth straightened when kids) so it’s good to know I’m not alone! I have to admit I did feel like playing a hermit for a while until the swelling goes down and I master my speech again but after your advice I think I might reconsider..

I know this might not apply to a lot of you who are much further down the line than me, but to help with the initial discomfort my friend recommend that I cut make up remover pads (the circular ones) and place them against any sores before going to bed, that way they don’t rub during the night and at least a good nights sleep is possible. Not sure if anyone has tried this before? Pads are meant to be best as they are more absorbent than tissue paper but I’m a bit scared of swallowing anything while sleeping!

[Graceful58]

I'm sympathizing with you all because I'll be joining you at the end of next week when they insert my upper and lower expanders. I'm finding the info on things to do great preparation for when I'm in town to pick up a few of those suggestions that have been posted.

I spent an hour in the chair today just getting the spacers in. The assistant couldn't get them between my tight teeth. I felt like I had been beaten up by the time I walked out there. She was down to getting the last one in and it broke and her hand slipped and hit me in the side of the face...what a shocker and boy did it hurt. A few tears came out of my eyes and she felt so bad...LOL...I was so glad to get up out of that chair. There was a second assistant that helped get the remaining two in and then they all felt so bad they gave me two coupons for free ice cream cones from McDonalds...LOL.

[Zorro4ever]

I got the same thing in and it hurts hella bad! I've had it for almost 1 month and 1/2 and the things literally cutting into my tongue, deep. But after 1 1/2 months of pain I've figured something out. All I wanted was a tongue guard(or to cut off my tongue) to keep the plate expander from cutting my tongue but then I figured it out by looking at a plastic spoon on my bedroom floor. I took a plastic spoon(not the one off the floor) and broke off the handle but not all of it I left a little on the spoon part so that it was easier to grab. I then stuck the spoon in my mouth between my tongue and plate expander with the little bit of handle sticking out. Sweet relief. You can face the scoop part towards your tongue or the expander which ever ways more comfortable with you. But this has worked well and can't wait to get the expander off. Hope this was helpful to all you plate expander havers and if not I hope you figure out a way to relief your tongue.

Side note: you can't really talk with the spoon in your mouth so you'll have to take it in and out to talk but it'll be worth the relief. Also it's hard to swallow but if the scoop part is facing your tongue you can kinda swallow. Also I don't recommend sleeping with this in your mouth. And I'd keep a few extra spoons in your bag just incase you lose your one currently in use.

[taaaaaaash]

I got my plate put in about 4 weeks ago and there are huge imprints on my tongue, especially at the back...
My tongue has managed to develop a huge bump in that area and it looks like it has been cut in half due to the imprint of the plate on my tongue. It really hurts a lot. I cant eat, drink and talk...i’m not sure what to do and even pain meds don’t work. My ortho had no concern to what my tongue looked like at all. My teeth also feel wobbly and like they’re about to fall out. I don’t know what to do.