For Parents

What Parents Need to Know About Spacers

What Are Spacers?

Spacers, also called separators, are small rubber rings or metal springs placed between your child’s back teeth. At Elate Orthodontics, we typically place spacers about one week before fitting a palate expander or other orthodontic appliance. Their job is simple: they gently push the teeth apart to create just enough room for the bands of the expander or appliance to slide into place at the next appointment.

Think of them as a temporary placeholder. They are doing an important job quietly in the background, and in most cases your child will barely notice them after the first day or two.

How Long Will Spacers Be In?

Spacers are typically in place for 5 to 7 days, usually about one week before your child’s scheduled appliance appointment. If your appointment is moved or rescheduled, please call us so we can advise on timing.

What to Expect — Normal Side Effects

It is completely normal for your child to experience some or all of the following during the week spacers are in place:

• Mild soreness or pressure between the back teeth, most noticeable on the first 1 to 3 days
• A feeling of something stuck between the teeth — this is the spacer doing its job
• Slight difficulty chewing — encourage softer foods during this week
• Mild sensitivity when biting down

Children’s pain reliever such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen at the appropriate dose can help manage any discomfort during the first couple of days if needed. Always follow dosage instructions on the packaging.

If a Spacer Falls Out

If a spacer falls out, it simply means there is already enough space between those teeth. This is completely fine. There is no need to replace it or call us. Just leave it as is and proceed to your scheduled appointment as planned. The team will take care of everything at your delivery session.

Foods to Avoid While Spacers Are In

Certain foods can dislodge spacers before they have had time to create adequate space. Please avoid the following for the week spacers are in place:

• Sticky foods such as gum, caramel, taffy, gummy candy, and fruit snacks
• Hard foods such as hard candy, ice, crusty bread, raw carrots, and nuts
• Chewy foods such as bagels, beef jerky, and thick pizza crust
• Flossing between the teeth where the spacers are placed — regular brushing is fine and encouraged

Soft foods like yogurt, pasta, mashed potatoes, soup, scrambled eggs, and bananas are great options for this week.

Cleaning and Hygiene

Your child should continue brushing normally, including around and near the spacers. Avoid using floss between the teeth where spacers are placed, as this can pull them out. Brushing twice a day and rinsing with water after meals is sufficient for the week spacers are in.

When to Call Us

• Your child is experiencing significant pain that is not relieved by children’s pain reliever
• You have any concerns or questions before your delivery appointment

Call us anytime: (972) 538-4343

What Comes Next

At your next appointment, our team will remove the spacers and fit your child’s palate expander or appliance. The bands will slide easily into the space the separators created, making the fitting comfortable and precise. This is the start of an exciting phase of your child’s smile journey, and our team will be with you every step of the way.

Parents, the section below is written for your child. Feel free to read it together or let them read it on their own before the appointment. A little knowledge goes a long way toward making the experience feel a lot more comfortable.

For Kids

Hey! Here is What is Going on With Your Spacers 👋

You have a spacers appointment coming up at Elate Orthodontics. Maybe you are wondering what they are or what to expect. No worries at all. We wrote this just for you so you know exactly what is going to happen and what to do at home afterward.

What Are Spacers?

Spacers are tiny little rubber rings that Dr. B or Dr. Kang will place between some of your back teeth. Their job is to gently push your teeth apart just a tiny bit, kind of like a very polite little helper making a small amount of room. We put them in about a week before your next appointment, when you will be getting your expander or appliance.

Think of them like tiny pillows making just enough space for the next part of your treatment to fit perfectly. Pretty cool, right?

Will They Hurt?

They might feel a little sore, especially for the first day or two. It feels kind of like when you have something stuck between your teeth. It is not a sharp pain, just pressure. Most kids say it bothers them the first day and then they forget the spacers are even there by day three or four. If it really bothers you, ask your parent about taking some pain medicine. They know the right kind and amount for you.

What If One Falls Out?

If a spacer falls out, it means it worked! It means there is already enough space between your teeth. You do not need to put it back in and you do not need to worry about it. Just let your parent know and keep going until your next appointment. You did not do anything wrong. It just means your teeth were ready.

Foods to Skip This Week

We know this part is a little tough, but try to avoid these foods while your spacers are in:

• 🍬 Gummy candy, caramel, and sticky sweets
• 🍎 Hard raw fruits and veggies like apples and carrots
• 🥖 Chewy or tough breads and bagels
• 🧴 Chewing gum

Soft stuff is totally fine. Mac and cheese, yogurt, soup, bananas, smoothies, mashed potatoes. It is basically a week-long excuse to eat the good soft stuff. 😄

Keep Brushing!

Keep brushing your teeth like normal, morning and night. Just skip flossing between the teeth that have spacers. Regular brushing is great and keeps everything clean while your spacers do their thing.

What Happens at Your Next Appointment?

When you come back in about a week, Dr. B or Dr. Kang will take the spacers out, which only takes a few seconds, and put in your new expander or appliance. The space the spacers made means everything will fit comfortably without any extra pushing or squeezing. You are doing great. Every step brings you closer to your amazing smile. We are really proud of you for taking such good care of your teeth. See you soon! 😊

— Dr. B, Dr. Kang, and the whole Elate team

Questions before or after your appointment? We are always happy to help.

(972) 538-4343

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