Do you get rubber bands as soon as you get braces?

As for when you start wearing rubber bands for braces, our patients usually start wearing elastic bands 4-6 months into their treatment plan.

What stage of braces do you get elastics?

Often rubber bands are placed towards the end of treatment to “tweak” the orthodontic treatment but this is not always the case. Sometimes a patient will have the bands placed after a few adjustments, while other times it may be 10 months into treatment.

What time should I change my elastics?

You should change your elastics 3-4 times a day, at the very least every 12 hours, even if they are not broken, because after a while they lose their strength and elasticity.

What happens if I don’t wear my rubber bands for a week?

Usually they’ll only be tender for a few days, but if you don’t wear your elastics as instructed, your teeth will probably be uncomfortable for longer, and your teeth will take more time to move. You are responsible for placing the elastics on your braces between appointments.

Is doubling up on rubber bands Bad?

By consistently wearing the elastics, you may shorten the overall time needed to wear braces. DON’T – Double up on elastics as this will cause too much pressure on the tooth or teeth and can actually harm the root of the tooth. DO – Always wash your hands before removing or replacing the rubber bands.

How often should I change my rubber bands for braces?

every 3-4 hours
Make sure to change your elastics every 3-4 hours and at least every 12 hours because they lose elasticity over time. Make sure to use the proper elastics and see that they are properly attached to the brace bracket – use a mirror if necessary. If you run out of elastics – stop in to pick up some more.

Can I wear my elastics only at night?

Douglas and Larry Harte may recommend you wear the elastics both day and night for an extended time. You may be told to switch only to nighttime wear once the teeth are set in the correct position. By consistently wearing the elastics, you can shorten the overall time your braces will have to be on.

Why do Orthodontists give you rubber bands?

They have an important job to do, adding extra tension to your teeth to help move your teeth in the right position. Having to wear braces is enough to have to adjust to, but sometimes your orthodontist will also give your rubber bands to wear as well. They can take some getting used to, but don’t give up so quickly.

Can I go too long without wearing my rubber bands?

Remember, whatever, you do, never go too long without wearing your rubber bands! The more you wear your rubber bands on your braces and follow the instructions of your orthodontist, the faster your bite will get corrected, and the sooner your braces will come off!

When should I remove my rubber bands for braces?

Always remove your rubber bands when you eat and when you brush your teeth. As stated before, the rubber bands for your braces come in a variety of colors. Younger orthodontic patients sometimes like get creative and play around with the color of both their ligatures and their interarch rubber bands.

What is an elastic (rubber band)?

An elastic (rubber band) is essentially a small rubber band that your orthodontist will tell you to attach to your braces in a certain configuration/shape. The purpose of the elastic is to allow the patient to assist the orthodontist in the movement of their teeth.