Day 30 - 1 month down

Today is officially one month into braces and expander (technically two, if you consider that the actual treatment started with spacers 2 months ago). So far, the last 2 nights I have been able to turn the expander myself, carefully. It has gotten easier. For anyone having to do this, here's what I've learned about turning an expander you can't see.

When you put the tool in your mouth, try to keep your head level with the white part of the tool facing outwards (when looking in a mirror). It goes straight up to the roof of your mouth. You can also feel around with a finger and guide the tool to the hole. Once you get it into the hole, turn the tool in your hand approximately 90 degrees inward towards your mouth and gently push it towards your throat until it's all the way in the back of your mouth and won't go any further. Carefully remove straight down so as not to mess up the turn. That should give you a successful turn, without messing anything up. It took me awhile to get to that point, but with practice, it gets easier. 5 more nights of turning to go and hopefully that will be it, for the rest of this process.

Here's a list of soft foods that I've been eating in addition to the meal replacement shakes and protein shakes:

• Mac n' cheese
• mashed potatoes
• homemade applesauce (a lot of this; it's soooo good!)
• banana pudding
• soup
• fruit cups
• eggs
• rice pudding
• jello
• chocolate pudding
• cottage cheese
• potato salad
• chicken tenders (carefully, with small bites)
• ice cream
• blueberries (carefully)

I'm going to be so happy when all of this is over with. Hopefully it will be worth it in the end.