A teeth expander, more commonly referred to as a palate expander, is an orthodontic device used to widen the upper jaw to help align teeth and fit them together. It is positioned between four upper teeth -- two on the right side and two on the left side -- and tightened multiple times daily to help extend or widen the jaw. Some expanders are removable, while others are not. The expander should be cleaned at least two times a day to remove food and particles and prevent bad breath.
Instructions
1. Remove the teeth expander prior to cleaning, if it is the removable kind.
2. Place a pea-sized amount of toothpaste on a soft- to medium-bristled toothbrush.
3. Brush the expander the same way you would brush your teeth. Scrub the entire surface as well as any crevices you can reach with the brush.
4. Swish water in your mouth to remove toothpaste residue if the expander can not be removed, or rinse a removable expander under running water to rid it of toothpaste.
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