Has anyone had a palatal obturator? Does it help?

I had one fitted to upper roof of mouth a few years back, after speech and swallowing sets in mid 2020 - fitted by one of the dentist in PMCC where I had my nasopharyngeal cancer treatment in 2006.
I find it pretty uncomfortable, and not able to swallow or drink - food gets stuck in between - not to mention the impact on my dental (with dental implants, and root canal). But then, my obturator was a hard one - believe there is a softer version. I had checked with dentist if a softer version will be better and of help -- he advised that he has not had many positive response to the palatal obturator.
This being the case - I decided to opt out of this. This is my view and from my dental care in PMCC - but, if need be - you might want to give it a try with your care team.
Good luck !!

@josk Thank you very much for this. They mention it is a lot of help (husband just had surgery on 3/23 and will have to wait I think about 3 - 6 months to have one fitted). I also have my doubts about how much it can help but will definitely need to try it out. Thank you again and good luck as well!

I had one fitted to upper roof of mouth a few years back, after speech and swallowing sets in mid 2020 - fitted by one of the dentist in PMCC where I had my nasopharyngeal cancer treatment in 2006.
I find it pretty uncomfortable, and not able to swallow or drink - food gets stuck in between - not to mention the impact on my dental (with dental implants, and root canal). But then, my obturator was a hard one - believe there is a softer version. I had checked with dentist if a softer version will be better and of help -- he advised that he has not had many positive response to the palatal obturator.
This being the case - I decided to opt out of this. This is my view and from my dental care in PMCC - but, if need be - you might want to give it a try with your care team.
Good luck !!

@josk Hi:)
I had the same type of cancer, treated în 2009.i can say, i had a normal life until 2021, when speech and swollowing problems started;(. Since then, I’ve had aspiration pneumonia and many dr visits!
I’ve only been given exercises-nothing else was recommended .I’m currently looking for more alternatives . Could you give me some advice?
Are you dealing with similar issues?
Thank you!

@josk Hi:)
I had the same type of cancer, treated în 2009.i can say, i had a normal life until 2021, when speech and swollowing problems started;(. Since then, I’ve had aspiration pneumonia and many dr visits!
I’ve only been given exercises-nothing else was recommended .I’m currently looking for more alternatives . Could you give me some advice?
Are you dealing with similar issues?
Thank you!

@contulmeuvila2218

You may want to consider getting a second and or third opinion from various specialists.

Hi @contulmeuvila2218,

I was getting aspiration pneumonia like it seemed for the last 2yrs. since my tongue cancer surgery and actually one time had to go into the hospital as the infection was so bad, I was having a hard time breathing and they took 7 liters (not a typo) of infection out of my lung cavity. So, I did a lot of research and yes, my speech-language therapist too mentioned the brushing before meals and afterward too, but a lot can happen at night when you are sleeping and might not know you are still aspirating on your own salvia. I also saw a pulmonologist.
So, here is what I started this year 1/01/26 and so far, it seems to be working, and I feel my lungs getting stronger and hardly any or no mucus in the morning when I awake. I make 2 cups of warm water with 1 teaspoon of baking soda and 1/2 teaspoon of sea salt and shake it well in a small container. Before each meal, I pour some of the mix into a clean glass and swish in my mouth and gargle and spit it out. After the meal, I will floss my teeth and leave out my mix to use before other meals of the day or in between if I sense some congestion and at night put the leftover into the fridge. The mixture will last a few days and when it runs out, I make a new one.
At bedtime, I will brush my teeth and floss and use Listerine Total Care NON-ALCOHOL mouthwash. I try not to eat anything 2-3 hours before bedtime to help prevent any acid-reflux issue which I have never been diagnosed for or take any medication for it, but pulmonologist mentioned that some people don't realize they can have some form of it when sleeping and head & neck cancer patients will be more prone to it. With that info. I also try to start sleeping on my left side which also helps being preventative. In addition, I have an ergonomic pillow which I put on top of an adjustable wedge pillow so I'm at least 30 degrees which is about 6-8 inches above the mattress. To prevent hip and lower back strain I added a knee pillow (as seen on TV) for between the knees for alignment.
The goal of this nighttime setup is to reduce nighttime aspiration, reflux, mucus buildup, lung infections especially aspiration pneumonia, and improve morning coughing. I can tell you, within 6-7 days of doing all of this, I was in a lot better place, and I can take way deeper breathes with my lungs now without coughing or hearing any wheezing and just feel plain better health wise.

God bless,
Rob

@josk Hi:)
I had the same type of cancer, treated în 2009.i can say, i had a normal life until 2021, when speech and swollowing problems started;(. Since then, I’ve had aspiration pneumonia and many dr visits!
I’ve only been given exercises-nothing else was recommended .I’m currently looking for more alternatives . Could you give me some advice?
Are you dealing with similar issues?
Thank you!