Palatal expander care
Palatal expander care instructions
Your guide to wearing, changing, eating with and cleaning the Invisalign Palatal Expander, so the jaw widens steadily and the fit stays good.
Daily wear instructions
The expander only works while it is being worn, and consistent wear keeps the fit good as the jaw widens.
Daily wear
- Wear the expander all day and night, aiming for about 22 hours a day.
- Only remove it to brush and floss.
- Make sure it fits snugly and fully seats over the back teeth each time.
- If you remove it to eat, keep meals short and re-insert it immediately afterwards.
- Do not skip days or leave it out for long periods, as the jaw can shrink slightly and the fit becomes poor.
Changing to the next expander
How to switch
- Change to the next expander daily, or as your orthodontist directs.
- Switch at night, so the mouth adjusts while your child sleeps.
- Each new expander is slightly wider than the last; do not skip any stages, even if one does not feel tight.
If a new expander feels loose
- Check that the small tooth-coloured attachments are still on the molars.
- If one is missing, or the fit feels off, go back to the last well-fitting expander and contact the clinic.
Eating and drinking
You can eat and drink with the expander in place. It usually takes a few days to get used to chewing with it.
Getting used to it
- Start with soft foods and small bites while you get used to the appliance.
- After eating, rinse thoroughly with water to clear any trapped food.
Foods and drinks to avoid
- Sticky foods such as chewing gum and caramel.
- Hard foods such as nuts, ice and crusty bread.
- Sugary or acidic drinks such as soda and juice.
Cleaning and hygiene
Cleaning routine
- Remove the expander to clean it at least twice a day.
- Brush the teeth and the expander gently with a soft toothbrush and toothpaste.
- Rinse it with cool or lukewarm water, never hot, as heat can distort it.
- Dry it thoroughly before wearing it again or storing it.
- Do not soak it in mouthwash or alcohol-based cleaners.
What is normal during expansion
Some changes are normal as the jaw widens and settle on their own. The following are expected, short-term adjustments.
What is normal
- Tightness or pressure for a day or two after switching to a new expander, as it begins to work.
- Small gaps opening between the teeth, most noticeably between the two front teeth.
- Changes to the bite, which is coordinated with the lower jaw in the next phase of tooth alignment.
- Mild changes in nasal pressure, which usually settle naturally.
Managing soreness
Mild soreness or tooth sensitivity is common at the start of each new stage.
To ease discomfort
- Change to a new expander at night.
- Eat soft foods on the first day of a new expander.
- Rinse with warm salt water to soothe the gums.
- Use over-the-counter pain relief only if your dentist advises it.
Storage and labelling
Keeping track
- Each expander is labelled, for example E01 or E02; follow the sequence in order.
- Open only one package at a time to avoid mix-ups.
- Keep all expanders, used, current and unopened, in their numbered bags.
- Bring every expander to orthodontic appointments for review.
- Store the current expander in its case when it is out of the mouth, and keep it away from pets.
- Do not wrap it in tissue, as it can be thrown away by mistake.
When to call the clinic
Contact the clinic promptly if any of these happen.
Call the clinic if
- An attachment comes off, or an expander feels too loose or too tight.
- You lose or break an expander.
- You cannot seat a new expander properly.
- There is persistent pain, swelling or bleeding.
- You have mixed up the expanders or skipped a stage.
Questions & answers
Palatal expander care: common questions
What if a new expander feels loose?
First, check whether all the small, tooth-coloured attachments (the little bumps bonded to the back teeth) are still in place, because the expander relies on them to grip. If one is missing, or the fit still feels off even with all attachments present, do not force it or skip ahead, go back to the last expander that fitted well, keep wearing that, and contact the clinic so we can check the attachments and the fit. A loose new step usually just means something needs a small adjustment; getting it sorted promptly keeps treatment on track. Never try to bend or trim the appliance yourself.
Will my child be able to eat and talk with the expander in?
Yes, after a short adjustment period. For the first few days, speech can sound a little different and chewing feels unfamiliar, so it helps to start with soft foods and small bites, but most children adapt within about a week and can then eat and drink normally with the expander in. It is best to avoid sticky foods like gum and caramel, hard foods like nuts, ice and crusty bread, and sugary or acidic drinks, and to rinse with water after eating to clear trapped food. Practising reading aloud can speed up getting used to talking with it. If discomfort lasts beyond a week or so, let us know.
What happens if my child stops wearing it for a while?
The jaw can relax and narrow slightly when the expander is left out for a long stretch, which means the appliance no longer fits well and progress stalls or has to be repeated, so consistent wear, around 22 hours a day, really matters. If your child has had a few days off it, do not jump ahead to a later expander, go back to the most recent one that fits properly, wear it consistently, and contact us if the fit is poor. Building it into the daily routine, only out for brushing and short meals, is the way to keep things on schedule. If wear is genuinely a struggle, talk to us and we will help.
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