I got the MARPE installed two days ago. After the surgery, I asked my doctor which foods I should stay away from. She said there are none and that I can eat anything. For my own comfort I’ve been eating super soft foods anyway. However, I decided to eat some Mac & Cheese, which is slightly less soft than the foods I was eating (yogurt, apple sauce, eggs). Now, some pieces are now stuck under the device. In the process of trying to get them out, I think I tried too hard to force it, and now I’m a little worried because a small swelling has formed and I tasted blood when I swallowed some water.
I guess “you can eat anything” wasn’t the case. Is Mac & Cheese a no-no item during the first week? It’s Christmas Eve so my doctor’s office may be closed today. Also, any advice on how can I get the food unstuck ?
Thank you.
You need a Waterpik, you’ll be removing half your meal from the roof of your mouth for the foreseeable future
No you don't, and using a waterpik agressively around the screws can cause a never ending inflammation. Trust your mouth's microbiome, and be gentle. Clean as usual, you'll be fine. The more neurotic I was about cleaning, the worse it became. I used CHX mouthwash excessively being afraid from an infection, and I had inflammation for 2 months. It went away after stopping the relentless cleaning. I expanded 16 mms in total, and had my device since August, 2024.
Maybe it depends on the shape of your palate? If I brush it first and then use the Waterpik, there’s always food I missed. You don’t have to blast the screws/soft tissue head on, just get in there at an angle to push the food out.
The OP should definitely use a water pick - SOFTLY - to remove food where the brush can’t reach. That is fundamental to keep the device completely clean, specially around the screws. I have my MARPE on and this has been fundamental - I don’t leave the house without mine. I tried several and I use the one that feels the softest (there are some water picks that are harsh). Mine always picks up food that my brush didn’t.
To help with the microbiome, there are specific mouthwashes and gels that are precisely developed to help with that. These are recommended by the orthodontist. Obviously, you should not use them more than what was recommended by them.
You probably had an infection due to overuse, or your water pick was too harsh!
Combining the water pick + floss + mouthwash + gel I have perfect oral health and my MARPE is always very clean. I go to my orthodontist every week to check and she says it’s perfect how it is! Having a clean expander is key to make this process run smooth :)
Downvote me all you want, but the amount of wrong advice here is insane. Doctors telling patients it's okay for tissue to bleed around the tads from a water flosser. 2 months after installation they still bleed and bomb the tissue with a water flosser, thinking it's okay. Overusage aggravates inflammation and undermines recovery.
Extraction sites are a lot bigger in comparison and they are open wounds covered with a blood clot. Should you keep those completely sterile aswell?
I'm not telling people to leave food remains near the device. The fact is that if you still bleed 2-3 months post installation, you are definitely doing something wrong and probably not letting it heal properly. :)
I wouldn’t eat everything. Follow your instincts and don’t try to eat anything that causes you discomfort. Some days I could eat steak, others I felt pressure sensitivity and could only eat softer foods.
Food will get around the device. Long stringy vegetables like spinach can get caught while you’re trying to swallow it, and it feels like you’re going to gag. Spinach in soup is the worst for this.
Waterpik is great when you’re at home. Otherwise carry interdental brushes so you can scrub out the junk that gets stuck.
I did research into what water flosser to get before I got mine put in. I settled on the AquaClean Duo. It has a low setting, and it also has a nozzle specifically for soft tissue (cleaning tonsil stones out). I've had it for about 1.5yrs now and I'm very happy with the purchase. It makes flushing food out from the MARPE very easy when using the tonsil stone nozzle.
Use a waterpik on the lowest setting and be gentle. Finish with a salt water rinse every night until the inflammation clears. Definitely keep it clean as it’ll get inflamed otherwise. I recommend making it easy on yourself by pureeing your food and even straining it in the beginning to make cleaning as easy as possible while your mouth heals. I got mine installed this past Thursday and am totally in the clear now so hang in there!
I got mine installed last Thursday and I made the mistake of thinking I could chew slowly Mac and cheese on Saturday 🥴it caused a lot of inflammation and pain from the extra movement of my jaw even if it was small. I only feel comfortable now (Day 7) slightly chewing. I would recommended what is best for your situation, I had 8 screws so a lot of inflammation and pain. If you feel like you can slowly chew, give it a try but keep it to foods that won’t difficult to clean out in the beginning. I tried to use my water flosser up there day 2 (my oral surgeons office said I could) it hurt me way more than I thought so I got a baby syringe and I’ve been using that. Wishing you good luck on your journey and here to answer any questions if needed
Did it get infected and was there any swelling along with the inflammation? My ortho only gave me painkillers so I’m going to request some antibiotics. How did you clear up the inflammation? Thank you for your response.
No worries! Thankfully I got into the habit of cleaning it out after each meal so it wasn’t infected but the palate was still so inflamed and sore. My oral surgeon prescribed me antibiotics so I was already on those. I think it was moving my jaw so much because Monday I tried to talk more and my jaw was killing me. So for me, I needed to cut down on any extra jaw movement. Today has been a lot better! I’ve been able to talk with family and lightly chew
On the first week I was very sensitive and only ate soft foods and soups. I thought it was going to be impossible to eat anything else. However, 2 or 3 weeks after the installation, I started to feel much better! I wasn’t sore anymore and I got used to chew with the device. Now (2 months after installation) I can eat everything. It takes more time of course - I chew more so it takes longer to swallow.
The only thing that concerns me is making sure the expander is clean! I have my water pick always with me.
There are foods that I avoid eating because they get easily stuck on the expander - popcorns, cookies, things like that. But I can still eat them! You will get used :)
Yeah, mine too - and right before my birthday and the holidays 🤦♀️
Waiting till find out if I got into a Masters of wine and food management and wondering how I’m going to do it all…