Wearing rubber bands correctly is critical – if you don’t know how to correctly wear them, please ask!
Wearing rubber bands incorrectly can damage your teeth by moving them in the wrong/opposite direction. If you have questions how to wear your elastics please, do not hesitate to call, email, or just stop by the office and ask us.
WHY DO I HAVE TO WEAR ELASTICS?
Elastics are designed to move the teeth in a direction, which braces can’t do alone. They bring your bite together so that you can chew more effectively. It also helps with the final appearance of your smile.
HOW OFTEN DO I WEAR THEM?
For elastics to be effective they must be worn 24/7. This includes when you play and sleep, unless otherwise instructed. Take them out only to brush, floss, put new elastics in, and eat. You should also wear the fresh elastics when you sleep. Every morning, discard the previous day’s elastics and replace them with fresh elastics from the packet we have provided for you. If you play sports, keep your elastics in unless you need to wear a mouth-guard. After removing your mouth guard, put the elastics back in. Part-time wear does NOT move the teeth, but it does cause them to be constantly sore.
NEVER DOUBLE UP ON YOUR ELASTICS!
Unless instructed, even if you skip a day of wear. It may seem to make sense, but it will actually SLOW DOWN tooth movement and your progress.
WHAT DO ELASTICS FEEL LIKE?
Your teeth and jaws may be tender the first few days. The tenderness and soreness are normal and should not continue after a week, but please continue to wear them 24/7, even with the soreness. If tenderness persists, please call our office. Rinsing with warm salt water will soothe most aching.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF I DO NOT COMPLY WITH WEARING ELASTICS?
Wearing elastics is an important key to the speed of your treatment and the final results we can achieve. Failure to wear your elastics full time or as instructed will lengthen your treatment time and will make it more difficult to achieve an optimal result. If you wear your elastics only intermittently (NOT full time), you will have constant discomfort because your teeth don’t have a chance to get used to them, so be sure to keep the elastics in FULL TIME!
Wearing your elastics for several hours, and then taking them off for a while, then putting them back on, etc., will make your teeth more resistant to moving in the right direction and slow down or stop your treatment progress. In addition to NOT moving the teeth, this part-time wear will keep your teeth constantly sore. Make sure to wear them 24/7!