Metal Mouth Message Board

I've had these for three days. I'm planning to visit my ortho as soon as possible, to get both of these REMOVED. It's just not worth it to fix my 3mm overbite.

The orthodontists had never told me how painful and uncomfortable they would be. They said that it might cause slight discomfort which you will get used to in one or two days...It might be just me, but I've never suffered more in my entire life. The two springs on the side are somehow poking at my bottom cheeks so hard that it made it swell up. I can't eat ANYTHING, but perhaps soup. Everything gets stuck in either the springs/rapid palatal expander. I've had to live with bits of food in my mouth for hours, trying to use my tongue to somehow get them past the rapid palatal expander. On top of all this, I'm getting a head ache, from the palatal expander or everything that is happening. I'm not even supposed to get a palatal expander, I'm freaking 17!

I think palatal expanders work better on younger people like yourself, though.

As for the pain, I think it'll subside.. we all go through different levels of discomfort.

Have you tried wax for the springs that are digging into your cheeks?

Do you have a water-pik to clean out the springs/expander in between meals? It helps tremendously to clean our your mouth. Brushing alone doesn't get all the nooks and crannies, and you don't necessarily want to floss after every mean and snack.. so a water-pik is a must-have.

VA5 wrote:I think palatal expanders work better on younger people like yourself, though.

As for the pain, I think it'll subside.. we all go through different levels of discomfort.

Have you tried wax for the springs that are digging into your cheeks?

Do you have a water-pik to clean out the springs/expander in between meals? It helps tremendously to clean our your mouth. Brushing alone doesn't get all the nooks and crannies, and you don't necessarily want to floss after every mean and snack.. so a water-pik is a must-have.

Yes, I have the water piks. They do help, but its just that I can't eat anything anymore. I couldn't take it anymore last night, I checked the inside of my mouth and there were two red holes at the place where the forsus appliance was poking. I detached the springs and now they're just hanging there. No more poking. If I had let it on for another night it might've gone through my cheeks! >.<

I'm sorry that you're in so much pain and discomfort. But remember, at least you can have a palatial expander because you're young. If you were older, you'd need to have surgery to expand your palate, because the palate fuses by the time a person is in their early 20s. So try to bear with it. Because if you decide to give it another try when you're older, it will be a LOT more complicated, not to mention, very expensive!

Anyone that's had these appliances can feel your pain. We've all gone through it. I definitely went in to my ortho and said "Take these damn things off or I'll show you some slight discomfort". While he played with the springs, it really didn't help. I was not amused.

I've gone through cancer treatment, and honestly, I think I'd rather do that again than put up with the newness of the expander.

I have still not gotten used to it really. I always feel it, my tongue still has the depression, eating is NOT a good experience but at least on good days I can get down more than cream of chicken soup with the chicken stained out.....when eating is actually worth the pain and time consuming cleaning.

When I first got the expander and asked a few times here on the boards for helpful tips, not a single person responded. So I felt really alone and completely on my own.

I've not really been back to visit the boards much, though I now see a thread on expanders just a few posts above (now below) yours.

All I can say is that it does get easier. Not a LOT easier for some of us, but others learn to cope fairly well. However, it takes a bit, and a lot of coping and coming up with some ideas.....and some willingness to not eat.

Everyone tells me it will be worth it when the braces come off. They'd better be right!!

I wish you the VERY best of everything in getting used to it. Only you can decide if it's worth it - but if you do it now, you won't have to do it when your 3mm becomes more later down the road. Doing this at 32 isn't any fun either - and in fact, since I haven't kissed my husband without flinching for 7 months - I'd imagine it's easier now than later!

Suck down water, eat only what you can handle and only in the quantities you can take. Keep your mouth clean, floss, use wax, pain medication your ortho approves of (in legal and safe quantities) and orajel liberally - and know you are not alone!!!!

T

I read my post and realized I said "7 months" when in fact my ticker says it's been 4!

Dear God, it's only been 4. *grumbles*

I simply don't understand some doctors.
I wish they would give patients one appliance at a time.

Orthodontists everywhere, please give people time to adjust with an appliance before you give them another one.

Hey Aoi,

How are you holding up? Has the discomfort eased any? I sure hope so. Thought I'd forward this to you, in case you don't see, it's a reply to someone who recently got a Herbst appliance. The original post went up yesterday.

take care, Jude

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Go to the drugstore and get some Rincinol PRN mouth rinse. You'll find it in the dental section where they sell dental accessories like temporary fillings, anbesol, etc. It creates a shield for mouth irritations. It doesn't taste so great, but it works very well. If you don't want to swish something like that all over your mouth, try Zilactin-B, which also forms a shield on an oral wound.

I have also read that sometimes orthodontists recommend using EZO denture cushions. I'm not familiar with that product, but you can find it online if you don't see it in your local store. Just search Google for it.

Also, ask your orthodontist if he has cheek pads. If so, you can probably just drop in to his office to pick them up for your daughter -- unless he needs to see her to instruct her how to use them.

BTW, salt rinses are great. They will help prevent the wounds from getting infected. She should do that several times per day.

Tough it out. 3 mm is a huge difference.

I got a palate expander also and have been wearing them for 3 months. Trust me you will get used to it.