How Often Do I Need to Change My Rubber Bands?
Long Beach, CA – Wearing rubber bands is an important part of your orthodontic treatment. For some patients, these rubber bands can help the braces achieve movements that wouldn’t be possible otherwise. While the braces straighten the teeth, rubber bands help align the bite.
If rubber bands are a part of your treatment, your care team will go over how you should wear them. Proper elastic wear is crucial to keeping your treatment on track and ensuring its success. So, what do you need to know about elastics?
When should elastics be worn?
Wear your elastics all day, every day. We typically recommend they are removed when eating or brushing your teeth, and then put on a new pair afterwards. However, some orthodontists may even recommend that you wear them while you eat since the chewing motion can stretch the rubber bands more and improve the efficiency of the elastics.
How often should I replace my rubber bands?
For best results, change your rubber bands at least 2-3 times a day. Dr. Desh advises patients to change them after eating or brushing their teeth. Elastics should be changed regularly so that they can do their job effectively. Even if your elastics don’t appear to be dirty or damaged, they get stretched out and begin to lose their elasticity after about 8 hours of wear.
How do I wear my elastics?
Your orthodontic care team should explain your elastic wear before you leave your appointment. Listen carefully to your instructions and be prepared to follow them. Wearing your elastics differently than advised by your orthodontist will negatively impact your treatment.
Your elastics will be connected from one bracket on the top to another bracket on the bottom. Your orthodontist has chosen these positions to ensure the proper alignment of your bite when treatment is complete. Be sure you understand which teeth are the correct ones to attach your elastics to. It can be helpful to use a mirror in the beginning to be sure your elastics are connected properly.
What happens if I forget to wear my elastics?
Forgetting to wear your elastics can make your treatment last longer than it should. Your orthodontist knows the elastics can be annoying, especially in the beginning. But the result will be worth a little bit of annoyance, we promise!
Wearing your elastics regularly also means your mouth will adjust to them much quicker than with sporadic wear. Elastics can be a little uncomfortable as your mouth gets used to the sensation, but over time this will lessen. Imagine if you went to the orthodontist every day to have your wires tightened—your teeth would be sore all the time. But once the wires are in place, the teeth are typically sore for the first day or two and then the soreness goes away. The same goes with the elastics—if they aren’t worn full-time, every time you put a pair on, they will be sore. If worn full time, they are sore at first but then the teeth get used to them and the soreness goes away.
If you forget to wear your elastics for a day or two, go back to regular wear as soon as you remember. Never double up on elastics. People sometimes think by doubling up they can speed up treatment, but this is not the case. Doubling the elastics can add too much pressure, and these forces can be unhealthy for the teeth.
Your orthodontic team wants your treatment to go by as quickly as you do, which is why they’ve recommended wearing elastics. We know that adding one more thing to an already busy day can seem like a lot at first. But in no time, you’ll be used to your elastics and can sit back and watch them work their magic.
If you ever have questions about your elastic wear or need a refill on your elastics, call Dr. Desh and her team at HD Orthodontics today, 562-283-6590.