A rescue

So, as everyone else probably guessed already, Day 2 of the palate expander wasn't as easy as Day 1. This morning I felt like the worst mom ever--as Wade tried eating soggy Frosted Flakes for breakfast, he got really frustrated and was in a lot of pain. I asked him "where it hurt." His eyes got big and he made this impatient circle around his whole mouth, sort of a "duh, Mom, where do you THINK it hurts?" gesture.

I started talking my head off, trying to encourage him, but I could see him mentally retreating FAST and getting more upset, a preview of the future teen years, I'm sure!

I stopped talking.

I used my brain for a minute.

And then I said, "Let's call Grandma Deb. She's been dealing with a lot of pain lately, too, and I bet she'd know how to help you."

After a quick phone call and some very kind, sound advice from Grandma Deb, Wade put down the phone and shoved a banana in his mouth and started chewing away.  He said, "It doesn't hurt anymore."

My first thought was, "Huh, I guess the Tylenol is finally kicking in."  But I know the real answer--Grandma gave Wade permission to cry and be upset and then explained the science behind tears.  She gave him good ideas for dealing with the pain, too, such as keeping ahead of it with regular pain medication.  And I'm sure she said she loved him and would be thinking of him.

Thanks for the rescue, Grandma Deb.  We love you, too!

Wade is a Rock Star!

Today was a really BIG day for Wade--he got a removable palate expander and braces on his front two teeth!

He was pumped and ready when we left the house for the appointment.

He started to get nervous when the orthodontist and assistant talked between themselves about getting the braces on.

He picked yellow bands for the braces.


He got excited when he looked in the mirror for the first time.

And he has been a CHAMP about the excess drool and funny talking caused by the expander.

We are so pleased with his good attitude!



What I need to work on is getting the staff to communicate better with me.  They are wonderfully nice, friendly ladies, but I haven't been tickled pink about their vague instructions.  Here's one example:

Me:  Could I get a list of foods he can and cannot eat?

Staff:  We don't have something like that.  We probably should!  Just make sure he doesn't eat foods that are hard or sticky.

Me:  Oh...kay.

Staff:  He can eat apples, but they need to be sliced up, and no corn on the cob.


So, I left the office with my "key" for the expander, some wax for the braces in case they irritate Wade's mouth, and those vague instructions.  We went straight to a birthday party, and I passed on those vague instructions to my friend, who fed Wade some sliced apples.  The braces fell off!  So 2 hours later, after the office's lunch break, we were back at the office.  In their defense, Wade said he took the expander out to eat the apples because his teeth were hurting, and that's probably what caused them to fall off.  He's supposed to leave it in when he eats.  I guess it was a good lesson to learn on the first day, but come on, people!  I need details!

Details like the following website that I stumbled on while trying to find info online to help Wade:

The Never Ending Adventures of Colin and His Palate Expander.

THANK YOU, Colin! 

We're having chicken noodle soup for dinner, and I loaded up on Jell-O, pudding, yogurt and ice cream.  Any other ideas for good foods would be appreciated!

Added note:  I shouldn't sound like such a complainer.  I am

THRILLED

and consider us VERY LUCKY that this expander thing is removable!  I don't have to crouch down over Wade's mouth with a flashlight and magnifying glass to "turn the key" on his expander.  He can take it out to brush well and not worry about food getting stuck in the roof of his mouth. 

SO GRATEFUL, SO THANKFUL, SO HAPPY!

Thank you to some random orthodontist in CA with a good website who had information on what to eat and what not to eat, how to provide relief from expander/braces pain, etc.  Thank you, Google. 

Brace Watcher's Diet
Palatal Expander

Maybe our office here in town just figures you can find everything you need on the Internet, but STILL.  I will be talking to them about this!