How long before you got used to eating with an expander?

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#1 Post by **adrienne** » Thu Jul 05, 2007 10:49 pm

I'm on Day 3 with my expander I'm still not getting used to it, and there are so many stuff i want to eat

I've been trying to practice all the time but more food gets stuck in my expander than those which actually go down my throat ..
Any tips would be helpful!

#2 Post by **Amburly** » Fri Jul 06, 2007 5:51 am

I had my expander for 6 months and I don't know if I ever got completely used to my expander. I guess my eating habits just changed a little. One big tip that I learned is to put small amounts of food in your mouth. You aren't able to use your tongue and roof of your mouth to push the food around as much so the smaller the pieces the easier it is to manuever them inside your mouth. Another reason for small pieces is beacause with the expander and braces at the same time it felt like I had a car parked in the roof of my mouth, I didn't need half of a cheeseburger up there too.

Hope this little bit of advice helps!!!!

#3 Post by **peach** » Fri Jul 06, 2007 1:12 pm

I had my upper expander for about 3 weeks and I just got my lower expander in. I cut up all of my food and eat it with a fork. Small bites and drinking water helps but it will still get stuck up there. I think that I'm getting more use to it. Make sure you get a Waterpik to flush out everything after your meals. It is soooo helpful!

#4 Post by **adrienne** » Sat Jul 07, 2007 12:22 am

Thanks for the advice everyone!

#5 Post by **samantha_lou** » Sat Jul 07, 2007 1:01 pm

Its not all that bad once you get used to it, within a few weeks I was able to eat food without getting it all smushed up in the expander - you'll adapt! I recall it taking a few weeks until I was comfortable just eating anything and everything though!

Good luck!