How Do I Care For My Orthodontic Expander?

If you are undergoing orthodontic treatment using a palatal expander, it’s essential to take care of these appliances to maintain your optimal level of oral health throughout your orthodontic treatment plan Proper care for a non-removable oral appliance like a traditional orthodontic expander can take some extra time, but as long as you stay on top of regularly cleaning your appliance, there should be no adverse effects on your oral health. Since many patients who receive a palatal expander are very young, it’s important for parents to be aware of these at-home oral health care needs as well. In this post, we’ll discuss, in detail, how to best care for your smile while receiving treatment with an orthodontic expander.

Daily Care

The first step to keeping your smile whole and healthy during orthodontic appliance treatment is to brush your palatal expander at least twice a day at the same time you brush your teeth. You should also take care to rinse the area around your expander following meals. For best results, many patients brush teeth and their appliance between meals or use an antimicrobial mouth rinse.

Using The Right Tools

In order to ensure proper care, you need to use the right oral hygiene products. We always recommend patients use a soft-bristled toothbrush and minimally abrasive toothpaste. You may also want to invest in a water flosser to thoroughly remove food particles and plaque from your palatal expander.

Adjustments and Checkups

During your regular orthodontic checkups with Dr. Herman, we’ll examine your appliance and your smile. If we notice any issues, we can make repairs, adjust, or replace your orthodontic appliance. If your palatal expander is damaged between visits, please call us right away. You should not wear a broken or bent oral appliance as this can cause damage to your smile. (918)492-4822.